Doctor: When it comes to treating ulcerative colitis, or “UC,” it’s important to understand what’s going on inside.
Visuals: Doctor points to a whiteboard that reads, “Ulcerative colitis (UC): a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the lining of the colon.”
Patient: That would be helpful!
Doctor: Great! Let’s take a closer look at why UC happens and how ZEPOSIA, a once-daily pill, is thought to help. We’ll start with one of the key players in UC—the immune system.
Visuals: Doctor rotates the whiteboard which now displays:
“Immune system = your body’s defense”
[images of] Molecules, Cells, Tissues, Organs
“It protects your body.”
Doctor: The immune system is your body’s natural defense system. It’s made up of molecules, cells, tissues, and organs that all work together to protect your body. And your immune cells are especially important. They circulate throughout the body, traveling to where they’re needed most.
In fact, think of your body as a vast network of roads and pathways that connect all of the important systems, functions, and locations within.
Visuals: Doctor points outside the window, revealing a vast network of roads representing the immune system. A car labeled “immune cell” drives down one of the roads, passing a “lymph node ahead” sign.
If the body is functioning normally, it recruits some of these immune cells from the lymph nodes to fight off problems, like infections.
Visuals: White cars are traveling around the “lymph node” roundabout. One car takes an exit, as another enters the roundabout.
But for someone with UC, the immune system has an irregular response—specifically, in the colon.
Visuals: Three of the cars take an exit labeled “colon” into a tunnel road. The digital sign above the tunnel entrance reads “Colon traffic.”
This means immune cells travel to the large intestine and rectum when they aren’t needed, which can lead to inflammation and tissue damage. That’s what causes the unpleasant symptoms we associate with UC—like rectal bleeding and increased stool frequency.
Visuals: Several cars are in the tunnel, causing a traffic jam. A red light emanates from the tunnel and the digital sign changes to “Caution: Inflammation Ahead,” then flashes “Caution: Rectal Bleeding,” “Caution: Increased Stool Frequency.”
However, there are ways to treat the inflammation caused by UC. And one option is ZEPOSIA.
ZEPOSIA is a once-daily pill for adults with moderate to severe UC—and the first and only treatment of its kind.
Visuals: A car passes a billboard that reads:
Once-daily
ZEPOSIA® (ozanimod) | 0.92 mg capsules
A once-daily pill for adults with moderate to severe UC
ZEPOSIA is the first and only S1P receptor modulator approved for UC.
Patient: So, how does it work?
Doctor: It’s thought to act as a gatekeeper, helping to prevent certain immune cells from leaving the lymph nodes altogether.
Visuals: A toll booth at the colon exit stops ZEPOSIA cars from entering the colon. When a regular immune cell approaches, the gate goes up, but when a ZEPOSIA immune cell enters, the gate goes down.
ZEPOSIA is what’s known as an S1P receptor modulator. This means it works differently than other treatment options like biologics, 5-ASAs, or steroids.
Visuals: A ZEPOSIA-labeled car drives down the road and text appears above it: “ZEPOSIA is an S1P receptor modulator. Not a biologic, 5-ASA, or steroid.”
How? Well, it modulates.
ZEPOSIA attaches to something called S1P receptors, which are located on the surface of certain immune cells. This attachment sends a signal that prevents these immune cells from leaving the lymph nodes and, ultimately, entering the colon.
The exact way ZEPOSIA works isn't fully understood, but fewer immune cells in your colon may mean a lower risk of damaging inflammation—and the symptoms that come with it.
Visuals: Regular immune cells are able to enter the colon tunnel, while ZEPOSIA immune cells remain in the lymph node. With fewer immune cells in the tunnel, traffic clears and the green arrow appears on the digital traffic board.
Patient: Makes sense!
Doctor: It’s important to understand how a treatment works in order to determine your best path forward. And if you’re experiencing UC symptoms, it may be time to consider something different.
Narrator: Don’t let UC stop you from doing you. Ask your UC healthcare provider about once-daily ZEPOSIA today.