Life Sciences Daily Summary
Life Sciences Daily Summary: What Happened on November 2, 2026
Povorcitinib meets primary endpoint in two Phase 3 vitiligo trials
Tezspire improved symptoms in a Phase 3 esophagitis trial, and the FDA approved Ilumya for psoriatic arthritis.
Today in brief
More patients taking povorcitinib reached the facial repigmentation target than patients on placebo in two Phase 3 vitiligo trials.1 AstraZeneca and Amgen said Tezspire improved tissue inflammation and swallowing symptoms in a Phase 3 eosinophilic esophagitis trial, with benefits lasting through 52 weeks.2
The FDA approved Ilumya for adults with active psoriatic arthritis, and Walmart plans to expand its clinical trial centers into three states.3 Ultragenyx received its first European nod for rare-disease drug Dojolvi.4
Povorcitinib clears the primary endpoint in two vitiligo trials
In two placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials, povorcitinib met the week 52 primary endpoint: a higher proportion of treated patients achieved at least 75% improvement in facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index scores.1 In STOP-V1, 18.9% of patients taking povorcitinib reached that threshold, compared with 6.8% on placebo. In STOP-V2, the rates were 18.9% and 3.1%.1
STOP-V1 enrolled 467 patients, and STOP-V2 enrolled 449. The proportion experiencing any treatment-emergent adverse event was similar between drug and placebo groups in both trials.1
Tezspire cuts tissue inflammation and swallowing symptoms in Phase 3 EoE trial
In the Phase 3 CROSSING trial in eosinophilic esophagitis, Tezspire improved tissue inflammation and swallowing symptoms, AstraZeneca and Amgen reported.2 The benefits lasted through 52 weeks.2
FDA approves Ilumya for active psoriatic arthritis
The FDA approved Ilumya for adults with active psoriatic arthritis.3 Walmart is expanding its clinical trial centers into three additional states.3