Summary:
Merck & Co. announced positive results from the Phase 3 ATLAS-UC trial of turisokivalt (MK-7240), an anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody, showing significant clinical remission in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) at 12 weeks. The study met its primary endpoint based on the modified Mayo score (MMS) and demonstrated no safety concerns, echoing findings from earlier Phase 2 trials.
Eliav Barr, M.D. from Merck, emphasized the importance of these results for patients who have not found relief with existing treatments. Turisokivalt, aimed at addressing immune fibrosis—a factor in disease progression—has a broad development program across several inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease and systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. The comprehensive Phase 3 program includes two studies, with Study 2 focusing on induction treatment.
Ulcerative colitis, a common inflammatory bowel disease, causes unpredictable symptoms and significantly impacts quality of life, with many patients failing to achieve adequate control of their condition. Turisokivalt’s mechanism targets the underlying processes of inflammation and fibrosis in IBD.
Merck remains committed to developing innovative therapies for immune-mediated diseases, leveraging advances in immunology. The company will share detailed results from the ATLAS-UC studies at an upcoming academic conference and with regulatory agencies.
