Merck said its experimental drug tulisokibart met the main goal in a phase 2b trial for hidradenitis suppurativa, a painful chronic skin condition.

In the MK-7240-012 study, 72 percent of patients on the high dose achieved HiSCR50 at 16 weeks, meaning at least a 50 percent reduction in lesions, compared with 35 percent on placebo. The deeper HiSCR75 response was 41 percent versus 15 percent. Safety results were similar to placebo.

The data were presented at the EADV 2026 dermatology congress. Tulisokibart targets the TL1A pathway, which drives inflammation in the disease.

Merck gained the drug through its $10.8 billion acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences in 2023. Hidradenitis suppurativa causes painful nodules and abscesses, and patients have few effective treatment options, making the results a promising step toward a new therapy.

The company said it plans to move the drug into larger phase 3 trials. Dermatologists welcomed the results, saying patients urgently need new options for this painful condition. The drug is given as an injection and works by blocking a protein linked to inflammation.