Merck's Tulisokibart Shines Bright in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Trial

Merck & Co Inc. (NYSE:MRK) presented initial results from its Phase 2b MK-7240-012 trial at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2026 Congress.

The study evaluated tulisokibart, an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting tumor necrosis factor-like cytokine 1A (TL1A), in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

The trial met its primary endpoint of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response 50 (HiSCR50) at week 16, with active regimens outperforming placebo. In the high-dose group (480 mg Q2W), 72% of patients achieved HiSCR50, while 64% of medium-dose patients 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%.