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Crohn's DiseaseMay 2022Summary reviewed May 2026

What the ADVANCE Trial Found — Risankizumab for Crohn's Disease

ADVANCE and the companion MOTIVATE trial tested risankizumab, an IV antibody that blocks IL-23, as a starter treatment for moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. Across the program, risankizumab brought significantly more people into remission than placebo within 12 weeks.

What the trial was testing

The ADVANCE enrolled 850 patients with crohn's disease. The study was sponsored by AbbVie 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

45% reached clinical remission at 12 weeks vs. 25% on placebo.

The Lancet · 2022 · NCT03104413

These findings — that of patients in clinical remission at 12 weeks on risankizumab vs. placebo — were published in the The Lancet and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 850 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 crohn's disease, 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

Risankizumab (Skyrizi) is FDA-approved for moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and available now. Treatment starts with three IV doses, then switches to self-injection every two months. Ask your gastroenterologist whether it fits your treatment plan, especially if other biologics haven't worked.

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.