Velsipity (etrasimod)

What is Velsipity (etrasimod) for?

Velsipity (etrasimod)  is a prescription medicine indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients ^[1].

Velsipity (etrasimod) is available as tablets (2 mg) ^[1].

How does Velsipity (etrasimod) work?

Etrasimod is a medication that works by interacting with specific targets in the body known as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors. These receptors are important for the movement of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, within the body.

Etrasimod binds strongly to certain S1P receptors, specifically types 1, 4, and 5. By binding to these receptors, Etrasimod can control the exit of lymphocytes from the lymph nodes into the bloodstream. This action reduces the number of lymphocytes circulating in the blood.

In ulcerative colitis (UC), although the exact way Etrasimod helps is not fully understood, it is believed to work by lowering the movement of lymphocytes into the intestines, which may help reduce inflammation and other symptoms of the disease ^[1].

Where has Velsipity (etrasimod) been approved?

Velsipity(etrasimod) is currently approved by the FDA in the USA^[2].

References:

1. Reference ID: 5259952. Accessdata.fda.gov, 1 October 2023.
2. U.S. FDA Approves Pfizer’s VELSIPITY™ for Adults with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Pfizer, 13 October 2023.