Chronic Disease

Equity Insider News Commentary Issued on behalf of Avant Technologies Inc. VANCOUVER, BC, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare is here to stay, and adoption is accelerating. According to research from PYMNTS Intelligence which polled C-suite executives at healthcare companies generating at least $1 billion in annual revenue, 90% already see positive ROI from investments in generative AI (GenAI). Analysts are projecting that by 2035 the gross value added by AI to the healthcare industry will be $461 billion on top of a baseline $2.26 trillion. Behind the scenes, several new AI healthcare tech developments are taking place, with updates recently coming from Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), Tevogen Bio Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: TVGN), GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GEHC), and Schrödinger, Inc. (NASDAQ: SDGR). At the regulatory level, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced a major global initiative to set unified standards for AI in healthcare, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working to catch up on approving new AI tech in the sector, with the latest being a cardioverter defibrillator. Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), an emerging leader in AI-driven healthcare innovation, continues to accelerate its push into AI-powered healthcare diagnostics through its joint venture with Ainnova Tech, operating through Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC), a jointly controlled entity that holds global licensing rights to VisionAI and its supporting hardware. The two companies recently announced that the FDA has officially received their request for a pre-submission meeting for VisionAI, the joint venture's flagship screening platform. This marked a pivotal moment in Avant's trajectory. VisionAI uses a combination of retinal imaging, patient vitals, and advanced algorithms to identify early warning signs of diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, liver fibrosis, kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes—often before symptoms are visible. Studies show that AI tools can detect diabetic retinopathy and other chronic conditions with sensitivities exceeding 90%, often identifying issues before symptoms appear—according to NIH. "This milestone reflects our two-tiered strategy, rapid deployment in low-regulation markets where VisionAI operates as a screening tool, and simultaneous progress toward FDA clearance for the U.S. market," said Vinicio Vargas, CEO at Ainnova and a member of AAC's Board of Directors. "Entering the U.S. will unlock significant commercial potential, and early engagement with regulators ensures we do so with speed, credibility, and a validated product." The upcoming FDA meeting will help finalize the clinical trial design and confirm the regulatory pathway for a 510(k) submission in the U.S., setting the stage for broader deployment. What sets AVAI apart from many AI-in-healthcare names is that its technology is already in the field. VisionAI has been rolled out through commercial pilot programs across Latin America, including Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Brazil. These early deployments are generating real-world data while demonstrating how early diagnostics can reduce system-wide costs and improve outcomes in primary care environments. In recent months, AAC expanded its portfolio with four newly licensed diagnostic algorithms from one of Asia's largest healthcare networks, validated on more than 2.3 million clinical cases. These models are now integrated into VisionAI to enhance its detection capabilities across multiple chronic disease categories. On the clinical development front, Avant's partner Ainnova has brought on global contract research organization Fortrea to help guide its FDA strategy. With both emerging-market traction and U.S. regulatory progress advancing in parallel, the company appears to be executing on a dual-pronged strategy: building early market access where regulatory barriers are lower, while preparing for the commercial scale and reimbursement potential of the U.S. healthcare system. For investors tracking small-cap companies operating at the intersection of AI, diagnostics, and chronic disease management, Avant Technologies may be worth a closer look. As the FDA process moves forward and pilot programs scale, AVAI sits in a rare position—commercially active, globally licensed, and now formally in dialogue with U.S. regulators. Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM) recently expanded its support for phase I clinical trials by launching the TIME Precision Network, a group of investigators across over 40 research centers focused on rapid activation and enrollment. "The integration of phase I clinical trial sites adds a critical capability to the TIME Network,"said Ezra Cohen, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Oncology at Tempus. "We are now able to activate and efficiently execute these early studies that are fundamental to drug development and such a valuable offering to patients. The reality is that these studies require specific and coordinated infrastructure to be successful, and I am proud that Tempus can now work with these sites and our life science partners to enroll patients into these cutting-edge clinical trials." Recent examples include first-patient-in enrollments within weeks at multiple cancer centers, showcasing the network's efficiency in matching patients to studies. By integrating community oncology sites and streamlining site activation, Tempus is lowering access barriers to early-stage trials across underserved regions. Tevogen Bio Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: TVGN) is advancing its AI-driven precision medicine capabilities through a new partnership with Databricks, focused on accelerating the development of its PredicTcell platform. The collaboration will enhance Tevogen's ability to model immunologically active peptide complexes and predict T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. This builds on the company's ExacTcell™ platform and complements other strategic alliances under the Tevogen.AI umbrella, including support from Microsoft Research. Together, these efforts aim to integrate clinical immunology with cutting-edge AI to fast-track the discovery and development of next-generation T cell therapies. GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GEHC) is deepening its commitment to AI-driven oncology solutions with the launch of MR Contour DL, a new FDA-cleared model for organ segmentation in radiation therapy planning. "We're committed to advancing MR imaging capabilities in radiation therapy to deliver more accurate and precise care," said Kelly Londy, President and CEO, MR, GE HealthCare. "The anticipated addition of Spectronic's software offering to our portfolio would support our vision for an MR-based radiation oncology workflow and would help enable high-precision treatment planning for radiotherapy patients across the globe." The company also announced its intent to integrate Spectronic Medical's MRI Planner software to support MR-only workflows across global radiotherapy centers. These tools are being folded into the expanded Intelligent Radiation Therapy (iRT) solution, which now supports third-party AI applications and accelerates the treatment timeline. By combining MR imaging, automation, and deep learning, GE HealthCare aims to raise the precision and accessibility of radiotherapy worldwide. Schrödinger, Inc. (NASDAQ: SDGR) recently presented new preclinical data at AACR 2025 on two targeted cancer therapies developed using its proprietary computational platform. Among the findings, a machine learning model predicted synergistic drug combinations for its Wee1 inhibitor SGR-3515, enhancing its potential use across multiple tumor types. "The preclinical data for SGR-3515 and SGR-4174 further demonstrate that molecules discovered and developed by Schrödinger have favorably differentiated molecular profiles compared to existing development-stage molecules," said Karen Akinsanya, Ph.D, President of R&D therapeutics at Schrödinger. "The preclinical profiles of these development candidates reinforce the power of our computationally-driven approach to designing molecules that meet challenging target product profiles and have the potential for meaningful benefit to patients." The company's AI-driven discovery approach continues to yield differentiated molecules with promising therapeutic profiles. As AI continues to evolve from concept to clinical application, these companies are quietly shaping the future of medicine at the infrastructure level. With regulatory momentum building and real-world deployments expanding, investors may want to pay attention as this shift begins to accelerate. CONTACT: Equity Insider [email protected] (604) 265-2873 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. 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Data from the QUASAR long-term extension study demonstrate more than 70% of patients were in clinical remission and more than 40% of patients were in endoscopic remission at Week 92 SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced new data from the TREMFYA® (guselkumab) Phase 3 QUASAR long-term extension (LTE) study in adults with moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). These data are among 24 abstracts highlighting the Company's research being presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025. Data from the QUASAR LTE study demonstrate patients treated with TREMFYA® sustained clinical and endoscopic efficacy at Week 92: a, 1 72% of patients were in clinical remissionb with 99% of those patients remaining corticosteroid free for 8 or more weeks through Week 92. 43% of patients were in endoscopic remission.c Among patients achieving endoscopic improvementd at Week 44, 84% maintained endoscopic improvement through Week 92. Patients treated with TREMFYA® sustained clinical and endoscopic remission regardless of prior biologic and/or JAK inhibitor treatment history. "People living with ulcerative colitis seek treatments that both address the challenging symptoms of the disease and provide durable results," said Gary R. Lichtenstein, Vice Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Development and Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania.e "These new data show TREMFYA delivers long-term, sustained clinical and endoscopic remission, marking important progress in UC care." Safety data were consistent with the well-established safety profile of TREMFYA® in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with no new safety concerns identified. "With these findings, TREMFYA shows the powerful impact it can have in achieving longer term remission in patients," said Esi Lamousé-Smith, MD, PhD, Vice President, Gastroenterology Disease Area Lead, Immunology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "This is a significant step forward in our mission to reshape the standard of care in inflammatory bowel disease." 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 including UC.2,3,4,5,6 TREMFYA® received FDA approval in September 2024 for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active UC and is currently administered via an IV induction regimen, followed by a SC maintenance regimen. In November 2024, a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) was submitted to the FDA seeking approval of a SC induction regimen of TREMFYA® for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active UC. TREMFYA® was also approved by the FDA in March 2025 for SC and IV induction options for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD). For a full list of all data being presented at DDW visit:   Editor's Notes: a. Nonresponder imputation results. Data were analyzed using 2 methods: 'nonresponder imputation' (NRI) accounting for patients with treatment failure or missing data, and 'as observed'. NRI results were consistent with as observed. b. Clinical remission was defined as a Mayo stool frequency subscore of 0 or 1 and not increased from induction baseline, a Mayo rectal bleeding subscore of 0, and a Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) of 0 or 1. c. Endoscopic remission (normalization) was defined as a MES of 0. d. Endoscopic improvement was defined as a MES of 0 or 1. e. Dr. Lichtenstein has received honorarium for his role as a consultant to Johnson & Johnson. He has not been compensated for any media work. ABOUT THE QUASAR PROGRAM (NCT04033445) QUASAR is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicenter, Phase 2b/3 program designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TREMFYA® in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who had an inadequate response or intolerance to conventional therapy (e.g., thiopurines or corticosteroids), prior biologics (TNF antagonists or vedolizumab) and/or JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib). QUASAR included a Phase 2b dose-ranging induction study, a confirmatory Phase 3 induction study, and a Phase 3 randomized withdrawal maintenance study. In the Phase 3 induction study, patients received either TREMFYA® 200 mg or placebo by IV infusion at Weeks 0, 4, and 8. In the Phase 3 maintenance study, patients received a SC maintenance regimen of either TREMFYA® 200 mg q4w, TREMFYA® 100 mg q8w, or placebo.7 The ongoing long-term extension study provides an additional 4 years of treatment. Efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and biomarkers are assessed at specified time points. ABOUT ULCERATIVE COLITIS Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease of the large intestine, also known as the colon, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers, that produce pus and mucus. It is the result of the immune system's overactive response. Symptoms vary but may typically include loose and more urgent bowel movements, rectal bleeding or bloody stool, persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.8 ABOUT TREMFYA® (guselkumab) Developed by Johnson & Johnson, TREMFYA® is the first approved fully-human, dual-acting monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize inflammation at the cellular source by blocking IL-23 and binding to CD64 (a receptor on cells that produce IL-23). Findings for dual-acting are limited to in vitro studies that demonstrate guselkumab binds to CD64, which is expressed on the surface of IL-23 producing cells in an inflammatory monocyte model. The clinical significance of this finding is not known. TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine approved in the U.S. to treat: adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light). adults with active psoriatic arthritis. adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.4 TREMFYA® is approved in Europe, Canada, Japan, and a number of other countries for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis. In addition, TREMFYA ® is approved in Europe, Japan and Brazil for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active UC and in Brazil and China for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active CD. Johnson & Johnson maintains exclusive worldwide marketing rights to TREMFYA®. For more information, visit: . IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®? TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine that may cause serious side effects, including: Serious Allergic Reactions. Stop using TREMFYA® and get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: Infections. TREMFYA® may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with TREMFYA® and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with TREMFYA® if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with TREMFYA®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including: Liver problems. With the treatment of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with TREMFYA®. Your healthcare provider may stop treatment with TREMFYA® if you develop liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms: Do not use TREMFYA® if you have had a serious allergic reaction to guselkumab or any of the ingredients in TREMFYA®. Before using TREMFYA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section "What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?" have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back. have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB. have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with TREMFYA®. are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TREMFYA® can harm your unborn baby. Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant during treatment with TREMFYA®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering in the pregnancy exposure registry for TREMFYA®. You can enroll by visiting , by calling 1-877-311-8972, or emailing [email protected]. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of TREMFYA® during pregnancy. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TREMFYA® passes into your breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. What are the possible side effects of TREMFYA®? TREMFYA® may cause serious side effects. See "What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?" The most common side effects of TREMFYA® include: respiratory tract infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain (arthralgia), diarrhea, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), fungal skin infections, herpes simplex infections, stomach pain, and bronchitis. These are not all the possible side effects of TREMFYA®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Use TREMFYA® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for TREMFYA® and discuss any questions that you have with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit , or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Dosage Forms and Strengths: TREMFYA® is available as 100 mg/mL and 200 mg/2mL for subcutaneous injection and as a 200 mg/20 mL (10 mg/mL) single dose vial for intravenous infusion. ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.   Learn more at or at Follow us at @JNJInnovMed. Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are Johnson & Johnson companies.  Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding TREMFYA®. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at , or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. References: 1 Lichtenstein GR, et al. Efficacy And Safety Of Guselkumab For Ulcerative Colitis Through Week 92 Of The Quasar Long-Term Extension Study. Poster presentation (#4241842) at Digestive Disease Week 2025. May 2025. 2 Atreya R, Abreu MT, Krueger JG, et al. Guselkumab, an IL-23p19 subunit-specific monoclonal antibody, binds CD64+ myeloid cells and potentially neutralizes IL-23 produced from the same cells. Poster presented at: 18th Congress of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO); March 1-4, 2023; Copenhagen, Denmark. Poster P504 3 Kreuger JG, Eyerich K, Kuchroo VK. Il-23 past, present, and future: a roadmap to advancing IL-23 science and therapy. Front Immunol. 2024; 15:1331217. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1331217. 4 TREMFYA® [Prescribing Information]. Horsham, PA: Janssen Biotech, Inc. 5 Skyrizi® [Prescribing Information]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie, Inc. 6 Omvoh™ [Prescribing Information]. Indianapolis, IN: Eli Lilly and Company. 7 National Institutes of Health: Clinicaltrials.gov. A Study of Guselkumab in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis (QUASAR). Identifier: NCT04033445. . Accessed March 2025. 8 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. What is ulcerative colitis? Available at: . Accessed March 2025 SOURCE Johnson & Johnson WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

TREMFYA® subcutaneous induction demonstrates significant rates of clinical remission and endoscopic improvement at Week 24 in ulcerative colitis Findings build on recent FDA-approval of both routes of administration for induction therapy with TREMFYA® in Crohn's disease SAN DIEGO, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced new data from the Phase 3 ASTRO study evaluating TREMFYA® (guselkumab) subcutaneous (SC) induction therapy in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). The ASTRO Week 24 data build on the Week 12 SC induction data that showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements compared to placebo across all clinical and endoscopic measures consistent with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved intravenous (IV) induction regimen evaluated in this population, in the Phase 3 QUASAR study.1,2 TREMFYA® is the first and only IL-23 inhibitor to demonstrate robust results with a fully SC regimen. These findings are among 24 abstracts highlighting the Company's research being presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025. Data at Week 24 show patients treated with TREMFYA® 400 mg SC induction followed by SC maintenance dose regimens of either 100 mg every eight weeks (q8w) or 200 mg every four weeks (q4w) demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across all clinical and endoscopic measures compared with patients receiving placebo.1 "Data from the ASTRO study demonstrate that subcutaneous induction treatment with TREMFYA provides clinically meaningful remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, similar to the effects seen with intravenous induction," said Millie Long, M.D., MPH, Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and study investigator.e "The availability of both subcutaneous and intravenous induction options would offer physicians and patients greater flexibility in their treatment approach." Furthermore, at Week 24, in prespecified analyses of subpopulations defined by prior advanced therapy treatment status, TREMFYA® demonstrated statistically significant results across endpoints in both biologic and JAK inhibitor-naïve and biologic and JAK inhibitor-refractory patients. Safety data from the ASTRO study were consistent with the well-established safety profile of TREMFYA®.1 "These results highlight the potential of TREMFYA to redefine ulcerative colitis care with a fully subcutaneous induction and maintenance regimen that offers a convenient option with meaningful clinical and endoscopic improvements," said Esi Lamousé-Smith, MD, PhD, Vice President, Gastroenterology Disease Area Lead, Immunology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "Our goal is to reshape UC care and empower prescribers with a differentiated and effective treatment that offers the option of patient self-administration from day one." 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 including UC.3,4,5,6,7 TREMFYA® received FDA approval in September 2024 for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active UC and is currently administered via an IV induction regimen, followed by a SC maintenance regimen. In November 2024, a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) was submitted to the FDA seeking approval of a SC induction regimen of TREMFYA® for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active UC. TREMFYA® was also approved by the FDA in March 2025 for SC and IV induction options for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD). For a full list of all data being presented at DDW visit: Editor's Notes: a. Clinical remission was defined as a Mayo stool frequency subscore of 0 or 1 and not increased from baseline, a Mayo rectal bleeding subscore of 0, and a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0, or 1 with no friability present on the endoscopy. b. Symptomatic remission per Mayo score is defined as a stool frequency subscore of 0 (normal number of stools) or 1 (1 to 2 stools more than normal) and a rectal bleeding subscore of 0 (no blood seen). c. Endoscopic improvement was defined as an endoscopy subscore of 0 or 1 with no friability present on the endoscopy. d. Clinical response is defined as decrease from baseline in the modified Mayo score by greater than or equal to (>=) 30 percent (%) and >=2 points, with either a >=1-point decrease from baseline in the rectal bleeding subscore or a rectal bleeding subscore of 0 or 1. e. Dr. Long is a paid consultant for Johnson & Johnson. She has not been compensated for any media work. ABOUT THE ASTRO STUDY (NCT05528510) ASTRO is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, treat-through Phase 3 study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TREMFYA® SC induction therapy (400 mg at Weeks 0, 4, and 8) in adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who had an inadequate response or intolerance to conventional therapy (e.g., thiopurines or corticosteroids), prior biologics (TNF antagonists or vedolizumab) and/or ozanimod or approved JAK inhibitors. Patients (n = 418) were randomized 1:1:1 to receive TREMFYA® 400 mg SC induction at Weeks 0, 4 and 8 followed by TREMFYA® 200 mg SC every 4 weeks (q4w); or TREMFYA® 400 mg SC induction at Weeks 0, 4 and 8, followed by TREMFYA® 100 mg SC every 8 weeks (q8w); or placebo. The maintenance dose regimens in ASTRO (200 mg SC q4w and 100 mg SC q8w) are the same as those evaluated in the Phase 3 QUASAR program which established the efficacy and safety profile of IV induction followed by SC maintenance therapy in patients with moderate to severely active UC.8 ABOUT ULCERATIVE COLITIS Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease of the large intestine, also known as the colon, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers, that produce pus and mucus. It is the result of the immune system's overactive response. Symptoms vary but may typically include loose and more urgent bowel movements, rectal bleeding or bloody stool, persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.9 ABOUT TREMFYA® (guselkumab) Developed by Johnson & Johnson, TREMFYA® is the first approved fully-human, dual-acting monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize inflammation at the cellular source by blocking IL-23 and binding to CD64 (a receptor on cells that produce IL-23). Findings for dual-acting are limited to in vitro studies that demonstrate guselkumab binds to CD64, which is expressed on the surface of IL-23 producing cells in an inflammatory monocyte model. The clinical significance of this finding is not known. TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine approved in the U.S. to treat: adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light). adults with active psoriatic arthritis. adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.5 TREMFYA® is approved in Europe, Canada, Japan, and a number of other countries for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis. In addition, TREMFYA ® is approved in Europe, Japan and Brazil for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active UC and in Brazil and China for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active CD. Johnson & Johnson maintains exclusive worldwide marketing rights to TREMFYA®. For more information, visit: . IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®? TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine that may cause serious side effects, including: Serious Allergic Reactions. Stop using TREMFYA® and get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: Infections. TREMFYA® may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with TREMFYA® and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with TREMFYA® if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with TREMFYA®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including: Liver problems. With the treatment of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with TREMFYA®. Your healthcare provider may stop treatment with TREMFYA® if you develop liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms: Do not use TREMFYA® if you have had a serious allergic reaction to guselkumab or any of the ingredients in TREMFYA®. Before using TREMFYA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section "What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?" have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back. have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB. have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with TREMFYA®. are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TREMFYA® can harm your unborn baby. Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant during treatment with TREMFYA®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering in the pregnancy exposure registry for TREMFYA®. You can enroll by visiting , by calling 1-877-311-8972, or emailing [email protected]. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of TREMFYA® during pregnancy. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TREMFYA® passes into your breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. What are the possible side effects of TREMFYA®? TREMFYA® may cause serious side effects. See "What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?" The most common side effects of TREMFYA® include: respiratory tract infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain (arthralgia), diarrhea, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), fungal skin infections, herpes simplex infections, stomach pain, and bronchitis. These are not all the possible side effects of TREMFYA®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Use TREMFYA® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for TREMFYA® and discuss any questions that you have with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit , or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Dosage Forms and Strengths: TREMFYA® is available as 100 mg/mL and 200 mg/2mL for subcutaneous injection and as a 200 mg/20 mL (10 mg/mL) single dose vial for intravenous infusion. ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.   Learn more at or at Follow us at @JNJInnovMed. Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are Johnson & Johnson companies.  Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding TREMFYA®. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at , or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. References: 1 Peyrin-Biroulet, et al. Efficacy and safety of subcutaneous guselkumab induction therapy in patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results through week 12 from the phase 3 ASTRO study. Results from the Phase 3 ASTRO study. Oral presentation (#OP10) at the 20th Congress of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO). February 2025. 2 Long M, et al. Efficacy And Safety Of Subcutaneous Guselkumab Induction Therapy In Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: Results Through Week 24 From The Phase 3 Astro Study. Oral presentation (#4241895) at Digestive Disease Week 2025. May 2025. 3 Atreya R, Abreu MT, Krueger JG, et al. Guselkumab, an IL-23p19 subunit-specific monoclonal antibody, binds CD64+ myeloid cells and potentially neutralizes IL-23 produced from the same cells. Poster presented at: 18th Congress of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO); March 1-4, 2023; Copenhagen, Denmark. Poster P504. 4 Kreuger JG, Eyerich K, Kuchroo VK. Il-23 past, present, and future: a roadmap to advancing IL-23 science and therapy. Front Immunol. 2024; 15:1331217. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1331217. 5 TREMFYA® [Prescribing Information]. Horsham, PA: Janssen Biotech, Inc. 6 Skyrizi® [Prescribing Information]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie, Inc. 7 Omvoh™ [Prescribing Information]. Indianapolis, IN: Eli Lilly and Company. 8 National Institutes of Health: Clinicaltrials.gov. A Study of Guselkumab Therapy in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis (ASTRO). Identifier: NCT05528510. . Accessed March 2025. 9 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. What is ulcerative colitis? Available at: . Accessed March 2025 SOURCE Johnson & Johnson WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED