Arena Pharmaceuticals testing etrasimod’s potential as an important future therapy for ulcerative colitis

Arena Pharmaceuticals has dosed first patients in a trial called ELEVATE UC 52, which is the first of two pivotal trials within the Phase 3 registrational program designated to test etrasimod 2 mg in subjects with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC).

Darshan Anandu, Gastroenterology, G.I. Specialists of Houston, said that with 60-80% of patients either not receiving or failing on the current standard of care, there is a clear and significant need for innovative options, especially orally-delivered treatments.

Preston Klassen, Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of Arena, said: “We are thrilled to announce the first patient dosed in the ELEVATE UC 52 trial. The etrasimod data seen to date are highly encouraging, and we believe represent a clear readthrough to our ELEVATE UC pivotal program, providing us confidence that it will demonstrate clinically meaningful and market-leading evidence of efficacy and safety. Initiating this trial is the next step towards bringing a potential game-changing therapy to UC patients globally. We are very grateful to the patients who have participated in etrasimod clinical trials thus far, and to the many additional patients who will enroll in the ELEVATE UC program.  We also thank the physicians, medical professionals, and site coordinators, for their continued support.”