Risankizumab,
does it really help with At least 90% improvement and clearance of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis lesions?
research showsThe grade is C. ULTIMMA-1 with 506 participants and ULTIMMA-2 with 491 produced very large lesion-clearance effects in nonresponder-imputed analyses of everyone randomized. Both trials, however, belonged to the same Boehringer Ingelheim and AbbVie development program, with no independently funded replication. The effect is not small; missing independence limits the verdict to C with 58 points.
ads claimThe evidence concerns week-16 lesion improvement in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. These numbers cannot substitute for evidence in every mild rash or psoriatic arthritis.
Useful facts when choosing a product
- Near-clearance of actual plaque-psoriasis lesions is graded.
- The ULTIMMA-1 and ULTIMMA-2 co-primary endpoints were week-16 PASI 90 and sPGA 0/1, and both succeeded.
- Risankizumab is a prescription biologic affecting immune function; infection risk, tuberculosis assessment, and vaccine timing should be reviewed with the prescriber.
What the research actually shows
ULTIMMA-1 analyzed all 506 participants with nonresponder imputation and found PASI 90 in 229/304 (75.3%) versus 5/102 (4.9%), difference +70.3 points (95% CI +64.0 to +76.7), and sPGA 0/1 in 267/304 (87.8%) versus 8/102 (7.8%). ULTIMMA-2 analyzed all 491 participants and found PASI 90 in 220/294 (74.8%) versus 2/98 (2.0%), difference +72.5 points (+66.8 to +78.2). These are replicate manufacturer-program trials, not independently funded confirmation.
Why this is classified as C (58)
The direct lesion-clearance effect is very large, but decisive plaque-psoriasis evidence comes only from the manufacturer development program, giving C with 58 points.
Counterpoint. C reflects limited independence, not absence of efficacy. A large confirmatory trial independent of manufacturers could support upgrading.
Rejudgment record. Cross-check applied — Both co-primary endpoints succeeded by large margins in two replicate phase 3 trials, but decisive evidence is concentrated entirely in the AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim development program
| Endpoint | P | Patient-reported treatment goal - the symptom is the goal |
| Replication | R1 | Single confirmatory trial |
| Independence | I0 | Evidence comes only from manufacturer studies |
| Effect size | E+ | Meets the clinically important threshold |
The scoring table and the verdict agree (C).
Sub-claim grades by effect
This ingredient is marketed for several effects. A single overall grade blends strong and weak claims together, so each effect is graded separately here. The overall grade reflects the strongest disconfirming or core claim.
| Effect (sub-claim) | Grade | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Achievement of PASI 90 at week 16 | C | Rates were about 75% versus 2% to 5% with placebo in two replicate trials. |
| Clear or almost-clear skin at week 16 | C | The sPGA 0/1 co-primary endpoint also succeeded in both trials. |
| Maintenance of lesion response during continued treatment | C | IMMhance favored continuation over withdrawal but belonged to the same manufacturer program. |
Cross-check — Codex and Claude
Evidence Table
| Study | Design | Sample | Funding | Endpoint | Result | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study 1 | Double-blind randomized placebo- and ustekinumab-controlled replicate phase 3 trials | 491 | Manufacturer funding from AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim | Week-16 co-primary endpoints: PASI 90 and sPGA 0/1 | ULTIMMA-1 PASI 90 was 229/304 (75.3%) versus 5/102 (4.9%), difference +70.3 points (95% CI +64.0 to +76.7), and sPGA 0/1 was 267/304 (87.8%) versus 8/102 (7.8%). ULTIMMA-2 PASI 90 was 220/294 (74.8%) versus 2/98 (2.0%), difference +72.5 points (+66.8 to +78.2). | Pivotal manufacturer-funded replicate phase 3 evidence |
| Study 2 | Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled and withdrawal phase 3 trial | 336 | Manufacturer funding from AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim, with participation in design, collection, analysis, and publication | Week-16 sPGA 0/1 and maintenance of response with continued therapy | Confirmed week-16 improvement versus placebo and maintained response with continuation, but did not provide independent replication. | Supportive evidence from the same manufacturer program |
Receipt — 2 References
All 2 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-07-24).
Reviewed and approved: Chamgap Editorial Team · Approval date: 2026-07-24 · Corrections: none
Cite this verdict
[Chamgap] Risankizumab x clearance of plaque psoriasis lesions — Evidence Grade C·58. 2 cited sources checked. Source: https://chamgap.com/en/verdicts/skin-hair/risankizumab-plaque-psoriasis-skin-clearance/ · CC BY 4.0CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.
What this document does and does not do
Chamgap is an information source. It reports what research has and has not confirmed; it does not tell readers what to take or buy. That decision belongs to readers and, when needed, medical or legal professionals. This verdict reflects literature available up to the search date and may change as new research appears. Nothing here is medical advice.