Nakase, Hiroshi (H);Fujii, Toshimitsu (T);Hisamatsu, Tadakazu (T);Suzuki, Yasuo (Y);Watanabe, Mamoru (M);Takahashi, Sakuma (S);Ooi, Makoto (M);Takeuchi, Ken (K);Kimura, Tsuguhiro (T);Furuya, Ken (K);Aoyama, Nobuo (N);Hasatani, Kenkei (K);Horiki, Noriyuki (N);Kanke, Kazunari (K);Tokito, Satoki (S);Sai, Souken (S);Uchikawa, Yoko (Y);Goto, Shoichiro (S);Fujimoto, Go (G);Zhang, Changliang (C);Petersen, AnnKatrin (A);Hibi, Toshifumi (T);

Author information

Gastro Hep Adv.2025 Sep 16;5(1):100812.doi:10.1016/j.gastha.2025.100812

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ozanimod is a once-daily, oral, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 and 5 modulator. The objective of the randomized, phase 2/3 J-True North study (NCT03915769) was to assess the efficacy and safety of ozanimod in Japanese patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

METHODS: In the 12-week induction period (IP), patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive placebo, ozanimod 0.46 mg, or ozanimod 0.92 mg. Patients who completed the IP with a clinical response at week (w) 12 were eligible to enter a 40-week maintenance period where they received the same treatment as they did in the IP. The primary endpoint was clinical response (complete Mayo score) at w12; clinical and mucosal secondary endpoints were assessed at w12 and w52.

RESULTS: Of 198 patients randomized, 176 completed the IP. Of these patients, 97 entered and 77 completed the maintenance period. A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving ozanimod achieved clinical response at w12 versus placebo (ozanimod 0.46 mg: 52.9%, = .0158; ozanimod 0.92 mg: 61.5%, = .0006; vs placebo: 32.3%). Similar results were observed in the secondary endpoints where patients receiving ozanimod achieved higher rates of clinical remission, endoscopic improvement, and mucosal healing at w12 than those receiving placebo. Efficacy was maintained at w52 for all endpoints. Both doses of ozanimod were well tolerated, with no unexpected safety signals.

CONCLUSION: This large-scale clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy and safety of once-daily oral ozanimod in Japanese patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. This is the first time that the efficacy and safety of ozanimod were verified in a large number of patients in Asia.