New SKYRIZI and RINVOQ data show disease control in inflammatory bowel disease

New data from pharmaceutical research suggest that two medicines, SKYRIZI (risankizumab) and RINVOQ (upadacitinib), may help people with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, achieve better disease control. The findings come from phase 3 studies and real-world observations presented at a major gastroenterology meeting, and they may affect treatment options for patients who have not had satisfactory control with other therapies.

What the new data show

The new phase 3AFFIRM data indicate higher rates of clinical and endoscopic response for Crohn’s disease patients treated with subcutaneous SKYRIZI compared with placebo across multiple efficacy endpoints. Open-label extension analyses suggest sustained endoscopic improvements over time, even for patients with more complex disease and prior treatments. Real-world observations point to disease control with RINVOQ in advanced Crohn’s disease, suggesting potential benefits for patients who are hard to treat. These results were presented in the context of discussions at the American College of Gastroenterology 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Key facts explained in plain terms

• is a medicine given by injection under the skin. In the trials, it helped more patients with Crohn’s disease feel and show signs of improvement compared with a non-active comparison.
• RINVOQis a pill taken by mouth. Real-world data suggest it may help some patients with advanced Crohn’s disease achieve better disease control.
• “Clinical response” means symptoms improved; “endoscopic response” means doctors could see improvements when looking inside the bowel with a scope.
• “Endoscopic outcomes” refer to measures seen during endoscopy, not just patient-reported symptoms.
• Open-label extensions are additional, longer-term parts of studies where all participants know what treatment they are receiving, used to assess whether effects last over time.

Who could be affected

People living with Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory bowel diseases who have not achieved adequate control with current therapies might be candidates for SKYRIZI or RINVOQ based on the reported data. The new results emphasize potential options for patients who have tried multiple medicines without satisfactory results, though decisions depend on individual medical history and physician judgment.

Practical next steps for patients and clinicians

• Discuss new data with a gastroenterologist to understand whether SKYRIZI or RINVOQ could fit current treatment plans.
• Review disease activity over time with regular checkups and, when appropriate, endoscopic assessments to gauge endoscopic response.
• Consider safety, side effects, and monitoring requirements for each medicine, including infection risk and laboratory tests as guided by a clinician.
• If already on a therapy with insufficient control, ask about potential trial options or real-world data implications for ongoing care.

Limits of the current data and questions to monitor

The explainer summarizes data reported at a scientific meeting and from open-label extensions; such presentations are not the same as final regulatory approvals or long-term, real-world registries. Further peer-reviewed publication and regulatory review are needed to confirm results and determine exact clinical roles. Clinicians will weigh individual risk-benefit for each patient and may require additional safety monitoring.

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