Zura Bio Ends Skin Disease Drug Program After Phase II Failure

Zura Bio is ending development of tibulizumab for hidradenitis suppurativa after its Phase 2 TibuSHIELD trial failed to meet its primary or key secondary endpoints. In the 247-person study, lesion counts fell by about 56% to 58% with the two doses, compared with 52.5% with placebo, leaving too little difference to demonstrate efficacy. The company said the treatment was generally well tolerated; one death was judged unrelated to the drug, and one case of worsening inflammatory bowel disease was reported. Zura will continue its systemic sclerosis and polymyalgia rheumatica programs and says its cash should fund planned operations through at least the end of 2028. The trial’s high placebo response underscores challenges in developing treatments for the condition, and Zura said it will further analyze the results and what they indicate about the disease’s biology.