(BPT) - Sponsored by Merck
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the digestive system. It affects about 10 million people around the world.[1],[2] The two main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).
Do you or someone you love have moderate to severe UC or CD? You may want to learn about one of two clinical trials. In these clinical trials, researchers are evaluating an investigational medicine to see if it is safe and effective for people with moderate to severe UC or CD.
"Clinical trials help researchers learn how our bodies respond to medicines and other treatments," said Dr. Richa Shukla, Associate Professor of Medicine-Gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine. "Clinical trials, including those for UC and CD, test whether investigational treatments or new uses for existing treatments are safe and work well."[3]
ATLAS-UC: Clinical trial for people living with moderate to severe active UC
More than 5 million people around the world have UC.[4] It is a type of IBD where the immune system attacks the large intestine and rectum, causing sores and inflammation.[5]
How to qualify
You may qualify for this study if you:
- Are between 16 and 80 years old
- Have had active, moderate to severe UC for at least 3 months
- Have taken other medications that either did not help your UC, or caused side effects you could not tolerate
- Do not have CD or any other type of IBD
ARES-CD: Clinical trial for people living with moderate to severe active CD
CD affects millions of people around the world and is becoming more common.[6] It causes inflammation that can happen anywhere in the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus.
How to qualify
You may qualify for this study if you:
- Are between 16 and 80 years old
- Have had active, moderate to severe CD for at least 3 months
- Have taken other medications that either did not help your CD, or caused side effects you could not tolerate
- Do not have UC or any other type of IBD
"Diseases can impact people differently based on their age, gender, weight, race, ethnicity, and other factors," said LaShanda Gordon, Clinical Trial Diversity Program Lead at Merck. "Therefore, it's important for clinical trials to include people from a wide variety of backgrounds."[3]
Please note that people may or may not directly benefit from being in a clinical trial. Being in a clinical trial is voluntary, and you are free to leave at any time for any reason. Your personal information will stay private throughout the clinical trial. The study doctor can answer any questions you may have, including those related to potential risks and benefits of participation.
Talk to your doctor to learn more and find out if you may qualify for one of these clinical trials. For more information, visit Merck IBD Studies.
Copyright © 2025 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
[1] Li Y, Wang Y, Sun Q, et al. Inhibiting the activation of enteric glial cells alleviates intestinal inflammation and comorbid anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in the ulcerative colitis mice. Neurochem Int. 2024 Sep:178:105789. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105789. Epub 2024 Jun 7.
[2] Pathiyil MM, Jena A, Raju AKV, et al. Representation and reporting of diverse groups in randomised controlled trials of pharmacological agents in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Dec;8(12):1143-1151. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(23)00193-0. Epub 2023 Oct 10.
[3] Merck. Let's Talk Trials. https://www.merckclinicaltrials.com/Lets-Talk-Trials/. Accessed September 16, 2025.
[4] Le Berre C, Honap S, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Ulcerative colitis. Lancet. 2023 Aug 12;402(10401):571-584. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00966-2.
[5] National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Ulcerative Colitis Definition and Facts. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/ulcerative-colitis. Accessed June 20, 2025.
[6] Alatab, Sudabeh et al. The global, regional, and national burden of inflammatory bowel disease in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Volume 5, Issue 1, 17-30. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253(19)30333-4/fulltext. Accessed June 20, 2025.
