In the In Conversation With series, a part of the free DDW podcast, DDW speaks with members of the drug discovery industry about their work and how it helps turn science into business. In this episode, Megan Thomas is in conversation with Dr Emil Lou,… Read More
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have completed a first-in-human clinical trial testing a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique to help the immune system fight advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The results, published in Lancet Oncology, show encouraging signs of safety and potential… Read More
Redx Pharma has shared additional results from an RXC008 Phase I clinical trial at Digestive Disease Week 2025, San Diego, CA. RXC008 is a highly potent pan-Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (pan-ROCK) inhibitor that was designed to be restricted to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The Phase I… Read More
GSK has revealed it will acquire IDRx, a Boston-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision therapeutics for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). Under the agreement, GSK will pay $1 billion upfront, with potential for an additional $150 million success-based regulatory approval milestone payment. The acquisition includes lead molecule, IDRX-42,… Read More
Redx Pharma has announced data from all Phase II clinical trial modules of zamaporvint (RXC004), a potent, selective, orally-active Porcupine inhibitor in development for Wnt-ligand dependent, hard-to-treat gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. These data, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers (ESMO GI) Congress, were from… Read More
Researchers have discovered a new biological pathway in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and related conditions that can be targeted using existing drugs. About 5% of the world’s population are currently affected by an autoimmune disease, such as IBD, the umbrella term for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative… Read More
This World Digestive Health Day, Napo Pharmaceuticals has announced positive results of a third-party, investigator-initiated study of crofelemer, Napo’s novel plant-based prescription drug. The study results show that twice daily oral administration of crofelemer led to a statistically meaningful reduction of abdominal pain and discomfort and… Read More
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Vyloy (zolbetuximab), an anti-claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) monoclonal antibody for patients with CLDN18.2 positive, unresectable, advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. Vyloy is the first and only CLDN18.2-targeted therapy approved by any regulatory agency in the world. Gastric cancer is the third… Read More
Orexa has dosed the first patients in a Phase II clinical trial in the prevention of postoperative ileus. The trial investigates whether patients who undergo major abdominal surgery will develop less gastrointestinal disturbances and will recover more quickly. The Dutch life sciences company is developing a new… Read More
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to Transcenta to proceed with its TranStar 301 global Phase III pivotal trial of Osemitamab (TST001) for gastric cancer. The trial will investigate the drug in combination with Nivolumab and chemotherapy as a first-line treatment in patients with HER2-negative, CLDN18.2… Read More
A first in human study of a 3D printing drug product, T21, designed to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC), has reported positive results. Imaging results from the study confirmed that T21 tablets are precisely delivered and released to the target site (the colon) for… Read More
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted for regulatory review Astellas Pharma’s marketing authorisation application (MAA) for zolbetuximab, an investigational Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2)-targeted monoclonal antibody. The application is for authorisation as a first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose… Read More
University of Queensland (UQ) researchers have used genetics to reveal that much of the risk of developing the common and sometimes fatal diverticular disease of intestine (DivD) is inherited. The study has identified new drug targets and opened up possibilities for novel treatment strategies. Read More
From immunity to metabolism to mental health, it seems like the gut microbiome has been linked to every aspect of human health and disease. But with hundreds of bacterial species populating our gastrointestinal tract, it’s a daunting task to pinpoint which molecules made by which bacteria affect which biological processes—and… Read More
