Innovative Plaque Psoriasis Drug Lecankitug Approved: The World’s Second IL-17A/F Dual-Target Drug
The psoriasis biologics market is gradually moving from single-target competition toward more differentiated mechanism-based competition.
In August 2026, information published on the official website of NMPA showed that lecankitug injection was approved for marketing for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are suitable for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
As an innovative plaque psoriasis drug lecankitug that simultaneously targets IL-17A and IL-17F, Lecankitug became the world’s second approved IL-17A/F dual-target drug after bimekizumab.
In this article, DengYueMed introduces the drug’s key characteristics, clinical research, and industry significance in the global IL-17 drug competition.
What Is Lecankitug? How Does It Work?
Lecankitug is an IL-17A/F dual-target monoclonal antibody developed by teams associated with Livzon Pharmaceutical and Xinkanghe Biotechnology, primarily for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
Basic Information About Lecankitug
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Lecankitug |
| Brand name | Libeitan®/丽倍坦® |
| Dosage form | Injection |
| Strength | 160 mg (1.6 mL)/vial |
| Drug class | IL-17A/F dual-target drug |
| Approved indication | Adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are suitable for systemic therapy or phototherapy |
| Approval date | August 25, 2026 |
| Approval authority | National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), China |
| Marketing authorization holder | Zhuhai Livzon Mabpharm Inc. |
| Global positioning | World’s second approved IL-17A/F dual-target drug |
Mechanism of Action of Lecankitug
The IL-17 pathway is an important signaling pathway involved in inflammatory responses in psoriasis, with both IL-17A and IL-17F contributing to related inflammatory processes.
🎯 The innovative plaque psoriasis drug lecankitug is an IL-17A/F dual-target monoclonal antibody designed to simultaneously target IL-17A and IL-17F.
Compared with biologics that primarily target IL-17A, the core difference of Lecankitug is its IL-17A/F dual-target strategy, placing it within this more specific drug development area.
Why Is Psoriasis an Important Application Area for IL-17 Drugs?
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease, with plaque psoriasis being a common clinical form.
Its development involves multiple immune cells and inflammatory factors, while the IL-23/IL-17 axis is one of the important inflammatory pathways extensively studied in psoriasis.
Within this pathway, both IL-17A and IL-17F are involved in related inflammatory processes. Therefore, IL-17 has become an important target in biologic drug development for psoriasis in recent years.
Currently, single-target IL-17A drugs have established a relatively mature commercial market, while dual-target drugs acting on both IL-17A and IL-17F represent a more differentiated development direction.
The innovative plaque psoriasis drug lecankitug was developed within this mechanistic context and approved for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
Phase III Head-to-Head Study: Lecankitug vs. Secukinumab
The pivotal Phase III study of Lecankitug used a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, active-controlled design, with a head-to-head comparison against secukinumab.
Core Study Data
| Time Point | Endpoint | Lecankitug | Secukinumab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 4 | PASI 75 | 65.7% | 50.3% |
| Week 12 | PASI 100 | 49.5% | 40.2% |
The study results showed that Lecankitug met the prespecified non-inferiority and superiority criteria.
PASI 75 and PASI 100 are commonly used endpoints in psoriasis clinical studies. PASI 100 represents a 100% improvement from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score.
Week 52 Follow-Up and Safety
The 52-week follow-up further evaluated different maintenance dosing regimens and long-term safety.
| Regimen Evaluated in the Study | Week 52 PASI 100 |
|---|---|
| 320 mg every 4 weeks | 75.9% |
| 320 mg every 8 weeks | 62.6% |
During the study, treatment-related adverse events were continuously monitored and safety was assessed in comparison with secukinumab. Publicly available study data showed similar overall safety characteristics between the two groups.
The dosing regimens were evaluated in clinical studies and do not represent the final approved dosage. Actual use should follow the NMPA-approved prescribing information. ❗❗
Why Is the Innovative Plaque Psoriasis Drug Lecankitug Attracting Industry Attention?
1. The World’s Second IL-17A/F Dual-Target Drug
For the innovative plaque psoriasis drug lecankitug, one of the clearest industry labels is its position in the global IL-17A/F dual-target drug field.
Bimekizumab was the world’s first approved IL-17A/F dual-target drug, while lecankitug became the second approved product.
This means that the mechanism has evolved from a single approved product to a field with two approved products.
2. IL-17 Competition Is Moving from Single Targets to Dual Targets
In the past, competition among IL-17 drugs was mainly concentrated on mature targets such as IL-17A.
As dual-target strategies enter commercial development, IL-17 drug research is becoming more differentiated at the mechanistic level.
The approval of lecankitug also provides a new case for observing the future development and market competition of IL-17A/F dual-target drugs.
3. Chinese Innovative Drugs Enter Global Competition in Differentiated Targets
From the perspective of the Chinese innovative drug industry, the significance of Lecankitug goes beyond the addition of another psoriasis biologic.
By entering an internationally competitive target area through an IL-17A/F dual-target mechanism, lecankitug also reflects how Chinese pharmaceutical companies are expanding from mature-target development toward differentiated mechanisms and innovative biologics.
Global IL-17 Drug Competition Landscape
Currently, global IL-17-related biologics can be broadly classified by mechanism of action.
| Drug Direction | Representative Product | Competitive Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| IL-17A single-target | Secukinumab and others | A relatively mature commercial market has been established |
| IL-17A/F dual-target | Bimekizumab | World’s first approved product |
| IL-17A/F dual-target | Lecankitug | World’s second approved product |
For the innovative plaque psoriasis drug lecankitug, the broader industry context is also important: IL-17A/F dual-target drugs remain a relatively focused competitive segment.
Following the approval of Lecankitug, the field has moved from a single commercialized product toward multi-product competition. Future developments in clinical development, indication expansion, and regulatory progress across different markets will be worth monitoring.
What Other Development Progress Has Lecankitug Made?
The development of the innovative plaque psoriasis drug lecankitug is not limited to plaque psoriasis.
In ankylosing spondylitis, the Phase III clinical study of Lecankitug reached its study endpoint in December 2024. In May 2026, the related marketing application was accepted by China’s Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the NMPA.
This indicates that the development of Lecankitug is expanding from psoriasis into other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Subsequent progress should be based on official information from the CDE, NMPA, and other relevant authorities.
Conclusion
The approval of the innovative plaque psoriasis drug lecankitug not only adds a new IL-17A/F dual-target drug to China’s psoriasis biologics market, but also moves this differentiated mechanism from a single-product stage toward multi-product competition.
As IL-17-related drugs continue to develop and more data on indications, clinical studies, and global regulatory progress become available, the future development of the IL-17A/F dual-target field will remain worth watching.
As a China pharmaceutical wholesaler, DengYueMed follows Chinese innovative drugs, pharmaceutical regulation, and global industry developments, leveraging online pharmacy China resources to support global pharmaceutical information exchange.
FAQ about Innovative Plaque Psoriasis Drug Lecankitug
What is Lecankitug?
Lecankitug is an IL-17A/F dual-target monoclonal antibody approved in China for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
What is Lecankitug used for?
Lecankitug is approved for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are suitable for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Is Lecankitug an IL-17A/F dual-target drug?
Yes, Lecankitug simultaneously targets IL-17A and IL-17F and is the world’s second approved IL-17A/F dual-target drug.
When was Lecankitug approved in China?
China’s NMPA approved Lecankitug for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis on August 25, 2026.
Is Lecankitug being developed for other diseases?
Yes, Lecankitug has also been studied in ankylosing spondylitis, with its Phase III clinical study reaching its endpoint in December 2024.
