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.

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.