Mirikizumab for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis

Mirikizumab is in clinical development for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). UC is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum (parts of the bowel), become inflamed. Small ulcers can develop on the colon’s lining, which can cause rectal bleeding and recurring diarrhoea. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis often follow a pattern where individuals with the condition have periods of no symptoms or mild symptoms (remission) followed by periods where their symptoms are particularly troublesome (flare-ups or relapses). Additional therapies are required as some therapies do no induce remission in some patients.
Mirikizumab, which is administered intravenously (IV), is a new type of antibody that binds to an inflammatory protein called interleukin 23, inhibiting its activity which prevents the triggering of inflammation. Therefore, if licensed, mirikizumab would offer an additional treatment option for patients with moderately to severely active UC.