Takeda drug shows ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease benefits

Takeda has announced results from two phase III trials that demonstrate the potentially extensive benefits of its new gastrointestinal disorder therapy vedolizumab.

Data published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the investigational humanised monoclonal antibody proved effective as a treatment for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The Gemini I and II studies were part of the wider four-trial Gemini clinical programme, which will study vedolizumab in 2,700 patients in nearly 40 countries, making it the largest phase III study programme ever conducted for both of these diseases.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease and affect more than four million people worldwide.

Dr Asit Parikh, vice-president for general medicine at Takeda, said: "Takeda has a strong legacy of researching and treating gastrointestinal disorders globally and vedolizumab represents our focus on and commitment to patient communities."

The company filed for European regulatory approval of the drug in March 2013.