Merck's Anti-TL1A Monoclonal Antibody Shows Promise in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Merck's investigational anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody tulisokibart has delivered its first positive Phase II results in dermatology. The drug met the primary endpoint of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

The MK-7240-012 trial evaluated three dose regimens over 16 weeks and found that 72% of high-dose patients achieved HiSCR50 at week 16. This compared to 64% in the medium-dose group and 35% on placebo.

Tulisokibart binds both soluble and membrane-bound TL1A, downregulating Th1, Th2, and Th17 pathways. The trial used a Bayesian design augmenting concurrent controls with historical placebo data, which limits direct comparison with conventionally controlled trials.