Gilead reported Phase 2 data for emvistegrast (oral a4b7 integrin blockade) in moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, showing higher clinical response rates at the 200 mg dose versus placebo in the SWIFT trial. The primary endpoint was met, according to the conference presentation recap. In the dose arms, 66% of patients on the highest dose achieved clinical response compared with 37% on placebo, while the 75 mg and 25 mg cohorts were 51% and 43%, respectively. The company plans to start a Phase 3 study next year and also plans additional Phase 2b/3 work in Crohn’s disease, including potential combination strategies. Analyst notes in the release emphasize the competitive positioning of an oral a4b7 option, while flagging that dose-response and secondary endpoints were not fully resolved. For pipeline monitoring, the readout increases the likelihood of rapid integrin-therapy follow-ons in inflammatory bowel disease.