Johnson & Johnson’s TREMFYA® Delivers Durable Remission in Ulcerative Colitis, with Over 80% of Patients Maintaining Clinical Remission Through Week 140

23 February 2026 | Monday | News

New QUASAR long-term extension data presented at European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) 2026 show sustained clinical, endoscopic, and histologic remission, reinforcing TREMFYA®’s potential to deliver lasting disease control and intestinal healing in moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis


More than 80% of those treated with TREMFYA® were in clinical remission and more than 50% were in endoscopic remission at Week 140 of the QUASAR long-term extension study, showing lasting disease control for patients 

78% of patients achieved intestinal healing at both the tissue and visual level (histo-endoscopic mucosal improvement)

 Johnson & Johnson  announced new long-term data from the QUASAR long-term extension (LTE) study showing that TREMFYA® (guselkumab) sustained clinical, endoscopic, and histologic outcomes through Week 140 in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). These data are among the 30 company-sponsored abstracts being presented at the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) 2026 conference.

At Week 140, 80.8% of patients taking TREMFYA® were in clinical remissiona. Additionally, 78.6% of patients achieved histo-endoscopic mucosal improvement (HEMI)b, and 53.6% of patients were in endoscopic remissionc, respectively.d  Approximately 89% of eligible study participants combined completed treatment through Week 140. Nearly all participants who achieved clinical remission at Week 140 were corticosteroid-free for at least eight weeks.

The study also showed that of those in clinical remission at Week 44, 87.5% maintained clinical remission through Week 140. Efficacy was sustained regardless of prior biologic and/or JAK inhibitor treatment history, and no new safety concerns were observed.

"Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition that can significantly impact patients' overall health and they need treatment options that remain effective and well-tolerated over time," said Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, MD, PhD, study investigator.e "The QUASAR long-term study shows the sustained ability of TREMFYA to deliver durable results, with consistent outcomes regardless of previous biologic or JAK inhibitor treatment. With high study retention and no new safety concerns over this extended time period, the data strengthen confidence in the long-term use of TREMFYA in ulcerative colitis." 

"These findings highlight the endoscopic outcomes that can be achieved with TREMFYA, raising expectations for what is possible for patients with ulcerative colitis," said Esi Lamousé-Smith, MD, PhD, Vice President, Gastroenterology Disease Area Lead, Immunology, Johnson & Johnson. "Patients who achieve endoscopic remission experience fewer flare-ups and are less likely to need steroids or require surgery over time. We are energized by these findings and remain focused on delivering treatments that help more patients achieve meaningful, lasting disease control."

TREMFYA® is the first and only approved, dual-acting monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-23 while also binding to CD64, a receptor on cells that produce IL-23. IL-23 is a cytokine secreted by activated monocyte/macrophages and dendritic cells that is known to be a driver of immune-mediated diseases. Findings are based on in vitro studies. 

TREMFYA® has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Commission (EC) approval for both SC and IV induction options for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and U.S. FDA approval for both SC and IV induction options for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. TREMFYA® is approved by the EC for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and is currently administered via an IV induction regimen, followed by a SC maintenance regimen.

Two other Johnson & Johnson-sponsored abstracts were selected as Top 10 oral abstracts by ECCO, highlighting continued commitment to providing treatment options to those with inflammatory bowel disease:

  • Results from the Phase 2b ANTHEM-UC study of icotrokinra, the first targeted oral peptide that selectively blocks the interleukin-23 receptor, demonstrating its impact on systemic and tissue biomarkers of inflammatory burden in UC.7  
  • Primary safety results from the UNITI Jr study of STELARA® (ustekinumab) showing that it was effective and well-tolerated, with no new safety signals, in treating pediatric patients with Crohn's disease.

 

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