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Enpatoran

Phase 3

Systematic Lupus Erythematosus | Small molecule | Immunology |Merck KGaA|Last Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Target and mechanism

Molecular targetTLR7, TLR8
Target classAntagonist
ModalitySmall molecule

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindPLACEBO_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment202

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Enpatoran · 1 trial · 2 indications

Phase 3 1
NCT07355218A Study of Enpatoran in Participants With Cutaneous Manifestations of Lupus With or Without Systemic Disease (ELOWEN-2)Systematic Lupus Erythematosus
RECRUITING202 Analytics
PHASE3RECRUITING
A Study of Enpatoran in Participants With Cutaneous Manifestations of Lupus With or Without Systemic Disease (ELOWEN-2)
Systematic Lupus ErythematosusUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Percentage of Participants With Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) 70 Response, Defined as >= 70 Percent (%) Decrease in CLASI-A Score From Baseline
At Week 24

Secondary Endpoints

Percentage of Participants With British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) Response
At Week 24
Number of Participants With Treatment Emergent adverse events (TEAEs), Serious Adverse Events (SAEs), and Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESI)
From Day 1 to Week 24
Number of Participants With Abnormal (greater than and equal to [>=] Grade 3) laboratory parameters
From Day 1 to Week 24
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingTRIPLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
EnpatoranEXPERIMENTAL -
PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATOR -

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
EnpatoranDRUGParticipants will receive a dose of Enpatoran orally twice daily from Day 1 to Day 168.
PlaceboDRUGParticipants will receive a single oral dose of a placebo matching Enpatoran tablet twice daily from Day 1 to Day 168.
Standard of care (SoC)DRUGParticipants will receive Investigator-recommended SoC.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 75 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites17

Inclusion Criteria * Vaccinations are up to date according to local guidelines/recommendations. Recombinant zoster vaccination is encouraged but not mandatory. * Participants with diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) and/or Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (SCLE) documented in medic...

Countries:United StatesCanadaChinaGermanySwitzerland
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Recent Changes (Last 90 Days)

LOWAug 17, 2026NCT07355218lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 17, 2026NCT07355218lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWJul 17, 2026NCT07355218lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWJul 17, 2026NCT07355218lastUpdatePostDate: changed

Frequently asked questions about Enpatoran

What is Enpatoran used for?

Enpatoran is an investigational small molecule being studied for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), including cutaneous manifestations of lupus with or without systemic disease. It is also used in early-phase studies involving healthy participants to evaluate drug properties.

What does Enpatoran target?

Enpatoran is a small molecule immunology therapy in development for lupus. Its specific molecular target has not been disclosed in available clinical trial information. The drug is being evaluated for its effects on immune pathways involved in systemic and cutaneous lupus.

Who is developing Enpatoran?

Enpatoran is being developed by Merck KGaA, a German pharmaceutical company. The company is conducting clinical trials of Enpatoran across multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Germany, and Switzerland.

What phase is Enpatoran in?

Enpatoran is currently in Phase 3 clinical development. A Phase 3 trial, ELOWEN-2, is recruiting participants with cutaneous manifestations of lupus with or without systemic disease. Earlier Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies have been completed.

What clinical trials is Enpatoran in?

Enpatoran has been studied in several clinical trials. The WILLOW study (NCT05162586) was a completed Phase 2 trial in systemic lupus erythematosus. The ELOWEN-2 study (NCT07355218) is a recruiting Phase 3 trial in cutaneous lupus. Phase 1 trials include NCT05110027 and NCT06589726 in healthy participants.

Is Enpatoran the same as M5049?

Yes, Enpatoran is also known as M5049. The WILLOW study, a completed Phase 2 trial in systemic lupus erythematosus, used the name M5049 in its title. Both names refer to the same investigational drug being developed by Merck KGaA.