<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-05-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000879169</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INCYTE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>INCY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001263508</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER BROS. ADVISORS LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001551138</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>14159, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001551139</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>667, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087940</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER FELIX</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087939</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER JULIAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001580575</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>New York</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001363364</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Brothers Life Sciences LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>134.38</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-05-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2018-05-26</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-05-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">15,000 non-qualified stock options (the &quot;Stock Options&quot;) convertible solely into common shares were granted to Julian C. Baker. The Stock Options have a strike price of $134.38 and vest on the first anniversary of the grant date or, if earlier, the date of the next regular annual meeting of Incyte Corporation (the &quot;Issuer&quot;) stockholders or upon a change in control of the Issuer (as defined in the Issuer's Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan). Julian C. Baker serves on the Issuer's Board of Directors (the &quot;Board&quot;) as a representative of 667, L.P. (&quot;667&quot;), Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. (&quot;Life Sciences&quot;), 14159, L.P.(&quot;14159&quot;, and together with 667, and Life Sciences, the &quot;Funds&quot;). Pursuant to the policies of Baker Bros. Advisors LP (the &quot;Adviser&quot;), Julian C. Baker does not have any right to any of the Issuer's securities issued as part of his service on the Board and the Funds are entitled to receive all the pecuniary interest in the securities issued.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Funds each own an indirect proportionate pecuniary interest in the Stock Options. Solely as a result of Felix J. Baker's and Julian C. Baker's ownership interest in the general partners of the general partners of the Funds, Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest in the Stock Options (i.e. no direct pecuniary interest).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Adviser serves as the Investment Adviser to the Funds. In connection with the services provided by the Adviser, the Adviser receives an asset-based management fee that does not confer any pecuniary interest in the securities held by the Funds. Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC (the &quot;Adviser GP&quot;) is the Adviser's sole general partner. Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker are principals of the Adviser GP. The Adviser has complete and unlimited discretion and authority with respect to the investment and voting power of the securities held by the Funds. The general partners of the Funds relinquished to the Adviser all discretion and authority with respect to the investment and voting power of the securities held by the Funds. Julian C. Baker, Felix J. Baker, the Adviser GP and the Adviser disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities held directly by the Funds except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that any of Julian C. Baker, Felix J. Baker, the Adviser GP or the Adviser is a beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Julian C. Baker is a director of Incyte Corporation (the &quot;Issuer&quot;). By virtue of his representation on the Board of Directors of the Issuer, for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the reporting persons are deemed directors by deputization of the Issuer.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to 14159, L.P., pursuant to authority granted by 14159 Capital, L.P., GP to 14159, L.P. Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to 667, L.P., pursuant to authority granted by Baker Biotech Capital, L.P., GP to 667, L.P. Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Felix J. Baker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Julian C. Baker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC, Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to BAKER BROTHERS LIFE SCIENCES, L.P., pursuant to authority granted by Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P., GP to Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
