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Ulcerative ColitisSeptember 2021Summary reviewed June 2026

A Daily Pill Put 37% of Ulcerative Colitis Patients in Remission After One Year

Researchers tested ozanimod, a pill taken once daily, in adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. After 10 weeks, 18% of patients taking ozanimod were in remission compared to 6% taking a placebo. After one year of continued treatment, 37% were in remission compared to 19% on placebo.

What the trial was testing

The TRUE NORTH enrolled 1,012 patients with ulcerative colitis. The study was sponsored by Celgene and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

Nearly 4 in 10 patients taking ozanimod were in remission after one year of treatment.

The New England journal of medicine · 2021 · NCT02435992

These findings — that more than one in three patients had no symptoms after a year of treatment — were published in the The New England journal of medicine and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 1,012 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with ulcerative colitis, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

Ozanimod is FDA-approved for ulcerative colitis under the brand name Zeposia. It's a daily pill that helps reduce inflammation in the colon. If your symptoms aren't controlled with your current treatment, ask your doctor if ozanimod might be right for you. Your doctor will monitor your liver function while you take it.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.

Open ulcerative colitis trials