Merck reports phase 2b success for tulisokibart in hidradenitis suppurativa

Merck reported that its phase 2b trial of tulisokibart met its primary and secondary endpoints at week 16 in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa. The company said the results will inform phase 3 development.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 149 patients. By week 16, 72% of patients in the high-dose group, 64% in the medium-dose group and 52% in the low-dose group achieved HiSCR50, defined as at least a 50% reduction in total abscesses and inflammatory nodules with no increase in abscess count. HiSCR75 was achieved by 41% in the high-dose group, 40% in the medium-dose group and 29% in the low-dose group, compared with 15% in the placebo group. Adverse events occurred in 42.9% of the high-dose group, 47.6% of the medium-dose group, 52.4% of the low-dose group and 40.9% of the placebo group.