## Eli Lilly’s Mirikizumab Shows Promise in Long-Term Remission for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) has announced encouraging results from two Phase 3 clinical trials of mirikizumab, a promising treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). These studies, presented at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting, indicate that mirikizumab may offer long-term remission for patients suffering from both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
The first trial, LUCENT-3, focused on patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. The results showed that mirikizumab not only helped patients achieve long-term remission, but also led to significant improvements in various aspects of the disease. This included achieving histologic-endoscopic mucosal remission, which indicates mucosal healing, a key goal in IBD treatment.
Mirikizumab demonstrated sustained benefits for up to three years, regardless of previous treatment failures with TNF inhibitors, tofacitinib, or other biologics. The trial showed impressive results: 81% of patients maintained long-term clinical remission, 82% achieved long-term endoscopic remission, and 72% experienced mucosal healing. Additionally, 79% of patients achieved corticosteroid-free clinical remission, indicating a significant reduction in the need for steroid medications.
The second study, VIVID-2, focused on patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease. In this trial, mirikizumab demonstrated high clinical and endoscopic remission rates in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who were enrolled in a long-term extension study from the Phase 2 program. These results further highlight the potential of mirikizumab as a sustained treatment option for Crohn’s disease.
Based on these promising results, Eli Lilly has submitted marketing applications for mirikizumab for Crohn’s disease globally, including in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and China. In addition to its potential as a standalone treatment, Eli Lilly is also investigating mirikizumab in combination with eltrekibart for ulcerative colitis. Further research is also ongoing for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease using MORF-057.
These findings offer a ray of hope for patients with IBD, suggesting that mirikizumab could be a valuable addition to the treatment landscape. With its potential for sustained remission and improved quality of life for patients, mirikizumab holds significant promise in addressing the challenges of managing IBD.
