Merck's Tulisokibart Meets Primary Goal in Mid-Stage Study

Merck's experimental drug tulisokibart has met its primary goal in a mid-stage study for treating hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa. The condition causes painful lumps to form under the skin.

In the study, 72% of patients who received the highest dose of tulisokibart achieved at least a 50% reduction in inflammatory skin lesions after 16 weeks, compared with 35% of patients on placebo.

Merck acquired tulisokibart through its $10.8 billion purchase of Prometheus Biosciences in 2023 and is counting on it to help offset the loss of exclusivity on Keytruda later this decade.