G-protein coupled receptor 68 (GPR68) is an acid-sensing protein receptor that has been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis by its modulation of the inflammatory response and fibrosis.
Salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates transcriptional programs in myeloid cells by phosphorylating transcriptional coregulators. In macrophages, SIK2 promotes the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and contributes to the balance between inflammatory and regulatory responses. Researchers from Nimbus Therapeutics LLC presented the preclinical efficacy of NTX-147, a SIK2 selective inhibitor, in ex vivo models of ulcerative colitis (UC).
Researchers from Spyre Therapeutics Inc. reported on the therapeutic efficacy of combining anti-TL1A and anti-IL-23 antibodies in preclinical models of colitis.
Microbiome specialist Microbiotica Ltd. announced positive data from a phase Ib study of MB-310, an orally administered live biotherapeutic product for treating ulcerative colitis, with 12 of 19 treated patients achieving clinical remission, compared to three of 10 patients in the placebo arm.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder with limited long-term therapeutic options. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) offer a promising strategy for IBD by enabling selective degradation of disease-relevant proteins and potentially improving efficacy and safety.
Enveda has obtained IND clearance from the FDA and initiated a phase I trial of ENV-6946, a first-in-class oral small molecule for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Researchers from the Medical School of Nanjing University hypothesized that in ulcerative colitis, the gut-resident macrophages may be compromised, leading to impaired integrity of the epithelial barrier. “From a basic science standpoint, our work uncovers a novel etiology of ulcerative colitis. From a translational perspective, it identifies a promising therapeutic target, potentially paving the way for developing effective drugs to treat or even cure the disease,” senior author Minsheng Zhu told BioWorld.
Eilean Therapeutics LLC has presented in vivo data for its first-in-class MALT1 degrader, TE-205, as a disease-modifying therapy for ulcerative colitis.
Arcus Biosciences Inc. has announced five new research programs for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and is targeting initiation of the first clinical studies next year.
Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has identified pyridone derivatives acting as integrin α4β7 (LPAM-1) antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
