Merck Initiates Three New Phase 2b Trials for Investigational Inflammatory Drug Tulisokibart

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is one of the most promising stocks under $100. On October 6, Merck & Co. announced the initiation of three new Phase 2b trials for tulisokibart (MK-7240). Tulisokibart is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody targeting tumor necrosis factor/TNF-like cytokine 1A/TL1A.

The program expansion reflects Merck’s ongoing commitment to immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The three new global Phase 2b trials are: MK-7240-12 for moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa/HS, MK-7240-013 for radiographic axial spondyloarthritis/r-axSpA, and MK-7240-014 for rheumatoid arthritis/RA. Global recruitment for these studies has begun, targeting the enrollment of more than 640 patients in total.

Merck Initiates Three New Phase 2b Trials for Investigational Inflammatory Drug Tulisokibart

With these additions, tulisokibart is now being investigated in a total of six diseases. It is also being evaluated in two Phase 3 studies for inflammatory bowel disease: ATLAS-UC for ulcerative colitis/UC and ARES-CD for Crohn’s disease/CD, as well as a Phase 2 study for systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease/SSc-ILD. Tulisokibart is thought to bind both soluble and membrane-bound human TL1A, a target associated with both inflammation and fibrosis.

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) operates as a healthcare company worldwide.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.