Merck says experimental skin disease drug met main goal in mid-stage study
In hidradenitis suppurativa, 72% of patients on the highest dose of tulisokibart achieved at least a 50% reduction in inflammatory skin lesions after 16 weeks versus 35% on placebo. Up to 41% achieved at least a 75% reduction versus 15% on placebo, and safety was comparable.
(Adds details throughout) Sept 30 (Reuters) — Merck said on Wednesday its experimental drug met the main goal of a mid-stage study in patients with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic skin disease that causes painful lumps, abscesses and scarring. In the study, 72% of patients who received the highest dose of the drug, tulisokibart, achieved the main goal of at least a 50% reduction in inflammatory skin lesions after 16 weeks, compared with 35% of patients on placebo. Up to 41% of patients on the drug achieved a tougher measure requiring at least a 75% reduction in lesions, compared with 15% on placebo, Merck said.
The company added that safety was comparable between treatment and placebo groups. com;)