Our clinical program with filgotinib in UC
UC is an inflammatory bowel disease resulting in ulcerations and inflammation of the colon and rectum. Unlike CD, UC involves damaging inflammation of only the colon and rectum. According to GlobalData, there were 1.2 million patients being treated for ulcerative colitis in the 7 major markets, for combined total sales of just over $5 billion in 2017. Although the introduction of anti-TNF biologics has improved the treatment of some patients, only 33% of patients will achieve long-term remission, and many patients lose their response to treatment over time. The medical need for improved efficacy is high and could likely be achieved by a new mechanism of action.
Gilead initiated the SELECTION Phase 2b/3 trial in UC with filgotinib in December 2016. SELECTION investigates efficacy and safety of 100 mg and 200 mg filgotinib once-daily compared to placebo in patients with moderately to severely active disease including those with prior antibody therapy failure. Gilead will recruit approximately 1,300 patients from the United States, Europe, Latin America, Canada, and Asia/Pacific regions. Men and women in SELECTION were randomized to receive placebo, 100 mg or 200 mg filgotinib. In the United States, males may receive 200 mg if they failed at least one anti-TNF and vedolizumab.
In May 2018, Gilead and we announced that an independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) conducted a planned interim futility analysis of SELECTION after 350 patients completed the induction period in the Phase 2b portion of the trial. The DMC recommended that the study proceed into Phase 3 as planned at both the 100 mg and 200 mg once daily dose level in biologic-experienced and biologic-naïve patients. Gilead completed screening for SELECTION in 2019.