The Janssen Pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson announced results from the phase 2b QUASAR Induction Study. 

The results showed a significantly greater proportion of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who previously had an inadequate response or intolerance to conventional therapies and/or selected advanced therapies and were treated with tremfya(guselkumab) achieved clinical response at week 12.

Safety data at week 12 were consistent with the safety profile for Tremfya in approved indications. Tremfya is not currently approved for the treatment of adults with UC in the U.S.

These new efficacy and safety data are the first reported on the investigational use of Tremfya for moderately to severely active UC in an analysis of 313 patients enrolled in the QUASAR clinical program. 

"Despite available treatment options, there are patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who are still in need of additional therapeutic approaches due to inadequate response or intolerance to their current treatment," said Axel Dignass, Head of the Department of Medicine and Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology at the Agaplesion Markus Hospital, Goethe University while presenting the study.

"Results from the QUASAR study show both IV induction doses of TREMFYA achieved clinical responses in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis at rates greater than placebo."