etrasimod

Etrasimod is an oral small molecule drug used to treat moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis in adults. It belongs to the class of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators and works by binding with high affinity to S1P receptors 1, 4, and 5. By partially and reversibly blocking these receptors, etrasimod reduces the ability of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to leave lymphoid organs, thereby lowering their numbers in peripheral blood and potentially reducing inflammation in the intestines. The precise mechanism by which it benefits patients with ulcerative colitis is not fully understood but is thought to involve decreased migration of immune cells into intestinal tissue[1][5][6][8]. Etrasimod was developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals and is marketed under the brand name Velsipity[3][4].

Brand names

Velsipity

Other names

etrasimod