BUZZ - Merck’s drug achieves success in skin disease clinical trial, Spyre shares rise

September 30 - ** Spyre Therapeutics (SYRE.O) shares rose 6.08% to $89.87

** Merck (MRK.N)’s experimental drug tulisokibart can significantly reduce inflammatory skin lesions in patients with the chronic skin disease “hidradenitis suppurativa” (link)

** Analysts said the data validated the efficacy of TL1A-targeted drugs and supports Spyre’s research on drug candidates targeting the same pathway

** Spyre is studying a therapy of SPY072 combined with bimekizumab (brand name Bimzelx) for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), with proof-of-concept data expected by the end of 2027 or early 2028

** TD Cowen stated, we believe these results strongly support the rationale for the combination study and further confirm that dual TL1A/IL-17 blockade holds promise for differentiated efficacy in treating this complex, multi-pathway disease

** The brokerage added the dataset may also offer attractive opportunities for the drug as a monotherapy, noting its potency is about 10 times that of tulisokibart, with a half-life 3 times longer

** SYRE shares have risen 175% year to date

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