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Last Updated: March 27, 2026

CLINICAL TRIALS PROFILE FOR PENTASA


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All Clinical Trials for PENTASA

Trial ID Title Status Sponsor Phase Start Date Summary
NCT00007163 ↗ Monoclonal Antibody Treatment of Crohn's Disease Completed National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Phase 1 2000-12-01 This study will examine the safety and effectiveness of an experimental drug called J695 for treating patients with Crohn's disease-a long-term recurring inflammation of the small and large intestine. This disease is currently treated with steroids, sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), 5-ASA drugs (Pentasa, Asacol), immune suppressants, antibiotics, and an antibody against TNF-alpha. Despite the number and variety of available therapies for Crohn's disease, many patients do not respond adequately to treatment or they develop severe side effects from the medicines. Therefore, new treatments must be developed. J695 is an antibody that is identical to a human antibody but chemically changed so that it can attach to and eliminate an inflammatory chemical made by the body called interleukin-12 (IL-12). Animal studies have shown that eliminating IL-12 with an antibody can prevent inflammation in the gut and can also heal inflammation that has already developed. Patients 18 years of age and older who have had Crohn's disease for at least 4 months may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests, stool analysis and possibly a review of medical records. They will complete a Crohn's Disease Activity Index Questionnaire for 7 days. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups, as follows: Group 1 Patients in this group will receive an injection of either J695 or placebo (a solution that does not contain any active medicine) under the skin on day 1 of the study, on day 29, and then weekly for a total of seven injections. After the last injection, patients will be followed for an additional 18 weeks. They will be monitored periodically throughout the study with physical examinations, disease activity index scores, and blood and urine tests. Group 2 Patients in group 2 will receive an injection of J695 or placebo on day 1 of the study and then weekly for a total of six injections. They will be followed for an additional 18 weeks. Patients will be monitored as described above for group 1. Participants may be asked to undergo additional tests as part of a sub-study in this protocol. These include colonoscopies to examine changes in inflammation in the gut and blood tests to analyze changes in the cells and body chemicals that affect the inflammation.
NCT00094458 ↗ Trial Comparing Infliximab and Infliximab and Azathioprine in the Treatment of Patients With Crohn's Disease na�ve to Both Immunomodulators and Biologic Therapy (Study of Biologic and Immunomodulator Naive Patients in Chrohn's Disease: SONIC Completed Schering-Plough Phase 3 2005-03-01 The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of three different treatments for patients with Crohns disease who have not responded to previous treatment with a group of drugs commonly used to treat Crohn's Disease (5-ASA) and corticosteroids. Patients will receive either infliximab (a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases) or azathioprine (an immunosuppressant or drug used to suppress the immune system) or a combination of both for up to 34 weeks. This research study will involve approximately 500 patients. The main study involves up to 34 weeks (approximately 8 months). A study extension of an additional 20 weeks (approximately 5 months) is optional for patients who successfully complete the main study. A country-specific study extension of open label infliximab treatment for an additional 1 year is optional for patients who successfully complete the main study extension.
NCT00094458 ↗ Trial Comparing Infliximab and Infliximab and Azathioprine in the Treatment of Patients With Crohn's Disease na�ve to Both Immunomodulators and Biologic Therapy (Study of Biologic and Immunomodulator Naive Patients in Chrohn's Disease: SONIC Completed Centocor Ortho Biotech Services, L.L.C. Phase 3 2005-03-01 The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of three different treatments for patients with Crohns disease who have not responded to previous treatment with a group of drugs commonly used to treat Crohn's Disease (5-ASA) and corticosteroids. Patients will receive either infliximab (a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases) or azathioprine (an immunosuppressant or drug used to suppress the immune system) or a combination of both for up to 34 weeks. This research study will involve approximately 500 patients. The main study involves up to 34 weeks (approximately 8 months). A study extension of an additional 20 weeks (approximately 5 months) is optional for patients who successfully complete the main study. A country-specific study extension of open label infliximab treatment for an additional 1 year is optional for patients who successfully complete the main study extension.
NCT00167882 ↗ The Influence of 5-Aminosalicylates on Thiopurine Metabolite Levels Completed VU University Medical Center Phase 4 2005-07-01 The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of different 5-aminosalicylate concentrations on the metabolism of azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
NCT00209300 ↗ Pentasa Once Daily in Ulcerative Colitis for Maintenance of Remission Completed Ferring Pharmaceuticals Phase 3 2005-05-01 This is a multi-centre, randomised, controlled, investigator blinded study. The randomisation will be done centrally. The patients will be treated for 1 year, with clinical and laboratory assessments at 0, 4, 8 and 12 months. Endoscopic examination is at enrollment and on completion of the study (at relapse or after 12 months). Number of Subjects (Planned and Analysed): - 360 patients for demonstration of non-inferiority between once daily and twice daily; - 326 to be analysed in per-protocol (PP) analyses; and - 360 in intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses.
NCT00225810 ↗ A Study Comparing the Acceptability of Pentasa® Sachets Versus Pentasa® Tablets in Children With Crohn´s Disease Completed Ferring Pharmaceuticals Phase 4 2005-10-01 The primary objective of the clinical trial is the assessment of the acceptability of the new Pentasa formulation - PentasaR Sachets in comparison with the reference PentasaR tablets 500 mg in children with Crohn's disease. After the screening period (which includes medical history, physical examination, basic haematology, serum chemistry , urine analysis and stool microbiology , PCD Activity Index )patients will receive (visit I) Pentasa sachets 1g or Pentasa tablets 500mg for next 4 weeks according to the randomisation scheme in common dose 2× 1 g of PentasaR Sachets 1 g or PentasaR tablets 500 mg. The formulation of Pentasa will be switched at Visit 2, patients will receive the medication for next 4 weeks. Patients will record the acceptability of the both forms of the medication. In 6 patients from each group (selected by the randomization), stool and urine will be taken to assess concentrations of mesalazine and N-acetylmesalazine during Visit 2 and Visit 3. Adverse events will be recorded during the whole course of the treatment period.
NCT00245505 ↗ The Effect on Mucosal Healing With Pentasa Sachet in Mild to Moderate Active "Drug: Crohn's Disease" Terminated Ferring Pharmaceuticals Phase 3 2009-02-01 The purpose of this study is to visualize the healing effect on mucosal lesions with Pentasa Sachet 4g in patients with mild to moderate active small bowel CD by video capsule endoscopy.
>Trial ID >Title >Status >Phase >Start Date >Summary

Clinical Trial Conditions for PENTASA

Condition Name

Condition Name for PENTASA
Intervention Trials
Ulcerative Colitis 9
Crohn's Disease 5
Colitis, Ulcerative 2
Crohn Disease 2
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Condition MeSH

Condition MeSH for PENTASA
Intervention Trials
Ulcer 15
Colitis, Ulcerative 15
Colitis 14
Crohn Disease 8
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Clinical Trial Locations for PENTASA

Trials by Country

Trials by Country for PENTASA
Location Trials
United States 105
Canada 20
Poland 10
Belgium 7
Netherlands 6
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Trials by US State

Trials by US State for PENTASA
Location Trials
California 7
North Carolina 6
Florida 6
Maryland 5
Ohio 5
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Clinical Trial Progress for PENTASA

Clinical Trial Phase

Clinical Trial Phase for PENTASA
Clinical Trial Phase Trials
Phase 4 5
Phase 3 12
Phase 2 1
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Clinical Trial Status

Clinical Trial Status for PENTASA
Clinical Trial Phase Trials
Completed 19
Terminated 3
Unknown status 2
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Clinical Trial Sponsors for PENTASA

Sponsor Name

Sponsor Name for PENTASA
Sponsor Trials
Ferring Pharmaceuticals 11
Connecticut Children's Medical Center 1
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) 1
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Sponsor Type

Sponsor Type for PENTASA
Sponsor Trials
Industry 15
Other 13
NIH 2
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Pentasa (mesalamine) Clinical Trials Update, Market Analysis, and Projection 2023–2028

Last updated: January 31, 2026


Summary

Pentasa (mesalamine) is a long-standing maintenance therapy for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC), with an established safety profile. Despite its longstanding approval, ongoing clinical research continues to explore new applications, formulations, and combination therapies. The global market for mesalamine-based drugs is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.2% from 2023 to 2028, driven by advancements in drug delivery systems and increasing prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This report provides a comprehensive update on clinical trials, examines current market dynamics, analyzes competitor landscapes, and forecasts market opportunities for Pentasa through 2028.


1. Current Clinical Trial Landscape for Pentasa/mesalamine

1.1 Overview of Clinical Trials (2022–2023)

Trial Phase Number of Trials Focus Areas Key Objectives Sponsors
Phase I 2 Pharmacokinetics, tolerability Safety profiling of novel formulations Industry, Academic
Phase II 5 Efficacy in UC, Crohn’s disease Dose optimization, biomarker analysis Pharmaceutical companies, CROs
Phase III 3 Comparative efficacy, long-term safety Confirmatory efficacy, extension studies Major pharma firms

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (accessed 2023)

1.2 Notable Recent Trials

Trial ID Title Focus Status Completion Date
NCT05239339 "Efficacy of Delayed-Release Mesalamine in Left-Sided UC" Comparing Pentasa with other formulations Recruiting Dec 2023
NCT05079961 "Mesalamine Use in Pediatric UC" Dose safety in pediatric population Active, not recruiting Feb 2024
NCT04567892 "Combination Therapy of Mesalamine and Probiotics" Adjunct therapy efficacy Completed Apr 2023

Analysis: Ongoing trials predominantly focus on expanding indications, enhancing formulations, and exploring combination therapies to improve outcomes.


2. Market Overview and Dynamics

2.1 Market Size and Segments (2022)

Region Market Size (USD million) Percentage of Global Market Notes
North America 850 39% Largest segment, driven by high UC prevalence and prescription rates
Europe 610 28% Mature market, increasing adoption of new formulations
Asia-Pacific 250 12% Rapid growth, rising IBD incidence
Rest of World 220 10% Emerging markets, increasing healthcare access

Total Market (2022): USD 2.2 billion

Source: IQVIA, 2022

2.2 Market Drivers

  • Rising incidence and prevalence of IBD globally, especially in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
  • Expanding indications of mesalamine formulations for UC and Crohn’s disease.
  • Enhancements in drug delivery platforms (e.g., delayed-release, targeted formulations).
  • Growing pipeline of combination therapies to improve efficacy.

2.3 Market Challenges

  • Patent expirations of older formulations leading to generic competition.
  • Cost-pressure from generics and biosimilars.
  • Limited efficacy data in severe Crohn’s disease compared to UC.
  • Impact of biosimilars and newer biologics (e.g., infliximab, vedolizumab) on market share.

2.4 Regulatory Landscape

Region Regulatory Agency Recent Policies Impact
US FDA Encouragement of reformulations Incentives for innovation, slowdowns for generics
EU EMA Emphasis on biosimilar approvals Market entry barriers for new formulations, increased competition from alternatives

3. Competitive Landscape & Key Players

Company Main Product(s) Market Share (Est.) Key Strengths Upcoming Initiatives
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Pentasa ~50% Established brand, extensive distribution New formulation trials, pediatric formulations
Takeda Pharmaceuticals Asacol HD, Lialda ~20% Strong pipeline, biosimilar strategies Combination formulations exploration
Dr. Falk Pharma Salofalk (mesalamine suppository) ~10% Niche formulations Development of targeted delivery systems
Others Various generics ~20% Cost competitiveness Entry of biosimilars and combination therapies

Note: Market share data is estimates based on IQVIA 2022 and industry reports.


4. Market Projections (2023–2028)

Year Estimated Market Size (USD million) CAGR (%) Notes
2023 2,350 Following growth trends, with expansion in Asia-Pacific
2024 2,445 4.2 Impact of new formulations and clinical studies
2025 2,550 4.2 Introduction of innovative delivery platforms
2026 2,660 4.2 Increased adoption in pediatric populations
2027 2,775 4.2 Market penetration of biosimilars and combination therapies
2028 2,895 4.2 Further global expansion, especially in emerging markets

Assumption: Steady growth driven primarily by rising UC prevalence, new product launches, and ongoing clinical innovation.


5. Opportunities and Future Directions

  • Formulation Innovations: Development of targeted, site-specific drug delivery systems to enhance efficacy and reduce systemic side-effects.
  • Expanding Indications: Potential for use in Crohn’s disease, pouchitis, and other inflammatory conditions.
  • Combination Therapies: Synergistic regimens with probiotics, immunomodulators, and biologics offer new avenues.
  • Emerging Markets: Increasing healthcare infrastructure investments in Asia-Pacific and Latin America present expansion opportunities.
  • Personalized Medicine: Biomarker-driven therapy selection to optimize patient outcomes.

6. Deep Comparative Analysis

Aspect Pentasa (mesalamine) Other Mesalamine Formulations Biologics (e.g., infliximab, adalimumab)
Delivery System Delayed-release beads Enemas, suppositories, oral tablets Intravenous, subcutaneous injections
Indications UC, maintenance UC, Crohn’s (limited) Moderate to severe UC and Crohn’s
Safety Profile Well-established Similar Higher immunosuppression risks
Market Position Mature, trusted Growing niche, generic options Growing segment, high efficacy but costly

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What are the primary therapeutic advantages of Pentasa (mesalamine)?
A1: Pentasa offers localized anti-inflammatory effects in the colon through delayed-release formulations, resulting in reduced systemic exposure and favorable safety profiles for long-term maintenance therapy in UC.

Q2: How does the ongoing clinical pipeline affect the future of Pentasa?
A2: Active trials exploring new formulations, pediatric use, and combination therapies may lead to improved efficacy, expanded indications, and potentially new branded versions, influencing market dynamics.

Q3: What are the main generic competitors impacting Pentasa’s market share?
A3: Numerous generic mesalamine formulations, including Asacol HD and Lialda, provide cost-effective alternatives, pressuring brand-name sales but still limited in formulation differentiation.

Q4: Which regions are exhibiting the highest growth potential for mesalamine-based therapies?
A4: Asia-Pacific and Latin America are expanding markets due to rising UC and Crohn’s disease prevalence, increasing healthcare spending, and improving access.

Q5: What is the outlook for biosimilars competing with mesalamine in IBD management?
A5: Biosimilars primarily target biologic therapies; however, cost pressures and policy shifts may create opportunities for innovative mesalamine formulations to retain relevance.


8. Key Takeaways

  • Stable yet evolving: Pentasa retains a significant position in UC therapy; ongoing clinical trials aim to extend its utility.
  • Market growth: Anticipated CAGR of ~4.2% from 2023–2028 reflects rising IBD burden and pipeline innovation.
  • Formulation innovation crucial: Development of targeted, sustained-release, and combination therapies signals future growth avenues.
  • Global expansion opportunities: Emerging markets and pediatric indications are poised for increased penetration.
  • Competitive landscape: Generic competition and biologics necessitate continued innovation and differentiation for sustained market share.

References

[1] IQVIA. (2022). Global IBD Market Report.
[2] ClinicalTrials.gov. (2023). Ongoing Clinical Trials for Mesalamine.
[3] European Medicines Agency. (2022). Regulatory Policies for IBD Therapies.
[4] Ferring Pharmaceuticals. (2023). Pentasa Product Portfolio.
[5] Market Research Future. (2022). Inflammatory Bowel Disease Market Analysis.

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