Eli Lilly & Co. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its drug, Omvoh, for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease, a form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The approval marks a significant expansion for the drug, which was previously authorized for the treatment of moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis, another IBD condition.
This decision represents a strategic win for Lilly as it competes in the multi-billion-dollar market for bowel disease treatments. The company is joining industry leaders such as AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson, which are also vying for a larger share of this rapidly growing market.
Lilly has made notable strides to strengthen its position in the IBD treatment space. Last year, the company completed a $3.2 billion acquisition of Morphic Holding, a move aimed at securing access to Morphic’s experimental oral IBD treatment. This alternative offers a more convenient dosing method compared to the commonly used injectable therapies, potentially giving Lilly an edge in patient convenience.
According to the U.S. government, Crohn’s disease affects approximately 1 million people in the country. The FDA’s approval of Omvoh was supported by data from a late-stage clinical trial, which demonstrated that the drug helped 53% of participants achieve remission after one year of treatment, compared to just 36% in the placebo group.
This approval positions Omvoh as a promising treatment option for individuals struggling with the debilitating effects of Crohn’s disease, while reinforcing Lilly’s commitment to expanding its presence in the IBD drug market.
Related Topics
