Merck's bowel disease drug meets main goal in late-stage trial

Merck said on Monday its drug met the main goal in a late-stage trial testing it in patients with a type of inflammatory bowel disease.

After 12 weeks, the drug, tulisokibart, showed clinical remission in symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of chronic bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum.

Merck said results from the trial will be presented with the those from an ongoing maintenance study at an upcoming scientific congress.

Tulisokibart is currently being tested as a treatment for seven diseases, including ulcerative colitis, Merck said.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 6:33 AM.