Merck's Skin Therapy Shows Promise in Phase 2b Trial

Merck has reported positive results from its Phase 2b trial of tulisokibart, an investigational skin therapy targeting tumor necrosis factor-like cytokine 1A (TL1A), in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa. The study met its primary endpoint, with active regimens outperforming placebo at week 16. In the high-dose group, 72% of patients achieved Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response 50 (HiSCR50), while 64% in the medium-dose group hit the endpoint.

These results represent a 37% and 29% improvement over the placebo group, respectively. In an exploratory analysis, low-dose participants recorded a 52% response rate, exceeding placebo by 17%. Key secondary endpoints at week 16 showed numerical improvements across active doses, including HiSCR75 response rates.

Patients also reported quality of life enhancements, with high-dose patients achieving a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index reduction of -5.62 from baseline, marking a 3.16-point advantage over placebo. The safety profile of tulisokibart was comparable to placebo, with adverse events affecting 42.9% of high-dose participants.