Merck's Tulisokibart Shows Promise in Phase 2 HS Trial

Merck has announced positive phase 2 trial results for its investigational monoclonal antibody, tulisokibart. The treatment is being tested in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). A Phase 2b trial evaluating tulisokibart met its primary endpoint of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response 50 at week 16.

The study showed that 72% of patients receiving high-dose tulisokibart achieved HiSCR50, compared to 35% in the placebo group. The medium-dose and low-dose groups also demonstrated significant response rates, with 64% and 52%, respectively. For the secondary endpoint HiSCR75, 41% of high-dose patients, 40% of medium-dose patients, and 29% of low-dose patients achieved the measure at week 16.

The study found that tulisokibart was generally well-tolerated, with adverse events occurring in 42.9% of high-dose, 47.6% of medium-dose, and 52.4% of low-dose participants. Serious adverse events occurred in 2.4% of both high- and medium-dose groups, 4.8% of the low-dose group, and 2.3% with placebo.