Omvoh

Omvoh Overview:

Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) is a biologic therapy for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD), the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Omvoh is made by Eli Lilly. The FDA approved it for ulcerative colitis in October 2023 and for Crohn’s disease in January 2025.

Understanding Omvoh:

In ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the immune system drives ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, urgency, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and fatigue. Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a signaling protein that plays a key role in this inflammation. Omvoh is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the p19 subunit of IL-23 and blocks its activity. This calms the inflammatory response in the gut and can help heal the intestinal lining.

Unlocking Omvoh’s Potential:

Treatment starts with three IV infusions given in an infusion center (induction), followed by subcutaneous injections every 4 weeks that can be given at home (maintenance). In the Phase 3 LUCENT trials in ulcerative colitis and the VIVID-1 trial in Crohn’s disease, significantly more patients treated with Omvoh achieved clinical remission and improvement on endoscopy than patients given placebo. Omvoh was also shown to reduce bowel urgency, a symptom that strongly affects daily life for people with UC.

Navigating Dosage and Administration:

Ulcerative colitis

• Induction: 300 mg by IV infusion over at least 30 minutes at weeks 0, 4, and 8.
• Maintenance: 200 mg by subcutaneous injection at week 12, then every 4 weeks.

Crohn’s disease

• Induction: 900 mg by IV infusion over at least 90 minutes at weeks 0, 4, and 8.
• Maintenance: 300 mg by subcutaneous injection (two injections) at week 12, then every 4 weeks.

Patients are monitored for hypersensitivity reactions during and after each infusion. After training, patients or caregivers can give the maintenance injections at home.

Preparing for Omvoh Treatment:

Before starting treatment, the care team will:

• Screen for tuberculosis (TB) and treat latent TB if found
• Check for any active infections
• Check liver enzymes and bilirubin
• Bring age-appropriate vaccinations up to date, since live vaccines should be avoided during treatment
• Review current medications and pregnancy or breastfeeding plans

Omvoh Side Effects

Omvoh is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects in clinical trials included:

• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Injection site reactions, such as pain, redness, or swelling
• Joint pain (arthralgia)
• Headache
• Rash
• Herpes viral infections, such as cold sores
• Elevated liver tests (in Crohn’s disease)

Serious but less common risks include:

• Hypersensitivity reactions: Serious reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred.
• Infections: Omvoh may increase the risk of infections. Treatment is not started during an active, clinically important infection and is paused if a serious infection develops.
• Liver injury: Liver enzymes and bilirubin are checked at baseline and for at least 24 weeks of treatment. Treatment is interrupted if liver injury is suspected.

Patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity to mirikizumab or any of its ingredients should not receive Omvoh. Patients should report signs of infection, allergic reaction, or liver problems (such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual tiredness) right away.

Empowering IBD Management with Omvoh

Omvoh offers adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease a targeted option that blocks IL-23, a key driver of gut inflammation. With a short IV induction phase and convenient monthly injections at home, it can help patients reach remission, reduce urgency, and regain control of daily life.