Gilead advanced its immunology diversification with mid-stage data for emvistegrast in ulcerative colitis. In the SWIFT Phase 2 study presented at United European Gastroenterology Week in Barcelona, the oral a4b7 integrin blocker delivered clinical response rates of 66% with the 200 mg dose versus 37% on placebo, supporting the program’s primary endpoint. Gilead tested three emvistegrast doses (200 mg, 75 mg, 25 mg) in 238 patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. The 75 mg and 25 mg cohorts posted response rates of 51% and 43%, respectively, with the company planning a Phase 3 start next year and additional Crohn’s disease development. Analysts at BMO Capital Markets said the results “validate” Gilead’s inflammatory push, noting competitiveness versus other a4b7 agents such as Eli Lilly’s zotemtegrast. Truist highlighted that dose response is not perfectly aligned on secondary endpoints, pointing to where the Phase 3 data will need to tighten.