At the recently concluded European Association for the Study of the Liver meeting, presentations underscored how increasingly granular insights into liver pathobiology are driving the rapid identification of new druggable targets across diverse indications.

The human pancreas often contains lesions that are common in the population and that, although they can become malignant, usually do not. To understand when this occurs and how these pancreatic cancer precursor lesions, known as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN), evolve, scientists at the University of Michigan analyzed their gene expression patterns and their cellular microenvironment.

With a historic WHO resolution adopted this week giving countries, for the first time, a mandate to address liver disease affecting 1.5 billion people worldwide, this momentum is strongly reflected at the ongoing European Association for the Study of the Liver 2026 congress in Barcelona. The mandate positions liver disease alongside cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes as a core global health priority.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. secured an exclusive license to Innovo Therapeutics Inc.’s INV-008, a novel oral 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase inhibitor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), through a potential ₩662.5 billion (US$443.6 million) deal.

Epirium Bio Inc. has developed a series of small-molecule 15-PGDH inhibitors, the phase II-ready MF-300 and preclinical candidate MF-1305, as potential therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. secured an exclusive license to Innovo Therapeutics Inc.’s INV-008, a novel oral 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase inhibitor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), through a potential ₩662.5 billion (US$443.6 million) deal.

Mabwell (Shanghai) Bioscience Co. Ltd. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for 9MW5211 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

At the recently concluded Digestive Disease Week, researchers from Kymera Therapeutics Inc. presented preclinical efficacy data on KT-579, a selective oral IRF5 degrader, in models of IBD.

Microbiome specialist Enterobiotix Ltd. has raised £19 million (US$25.7 million) to fund phase IIb development of its lead program EBX-102-02 in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

The combination of impaired epithelial barrier function, mucosal inflammation and elevated oxidative stress is determinant for the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is an important transcription factor for modulating antioxidant defenses, inhibiting inflammatory pathways and regenerating the epithelial barrier. Montai Therapeutics Inc. has developed a potent and selective NRF2 agonist compound, MTAI-1025, for the management of UC using its proprietary CONECTA platform.