Ensho Therapeutics has unveiled promising new data for NSHO-101, their investigational once-daily oral treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), at the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO 2025) congress in Berlin.
The clinical data demonstrates that NSHO-101 effectively blocks the interaction between mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) and α4β7 integrin on peripheral blood CD4+ T cells, a mechanism previously validated by the FDA-approved injectable antibody vedolizumab.
Robust Target Engagement and Sustained Activity
The once-daily formulation achieved sustained inhibition of MAdCAM-1 binding, maintaining greater than 95% α4β7 receptor occupancy throughout the 24-hour dosing period. The active metabolite, NSHO-101-M, reached steady-state levels within 3-4 days of treatment initiation, correlating with maximal target inhibition. Notably, the binding inhibition remained above 90% for over 72 hours following the final 800 mg dose.
Safety Profile and Selective Mechanism
The drug demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no treatment-emergent adverse events reported. Importantly, NSHO-101 showed specific engagement of the α4β7 pathway without affecting α4β1 or peripheral blood lymphocyte counts, suggesting precise targeting of the desired mechanism.
Expert Perspective on Clinical Impact
"Biologics have revolutionized IBD management, but the absence of oral alternatives that can be used prior to biologics limits patients' access to safe, effective, and patient-friendly therapies," stated Dr. Brian G. Feagan, Professor of Medicine at Western University, Ontario, and lead author of the presentations. He emphasized that an oral α4β7 integrin antagonist would be particularly valuable for treating both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Development Timeline and Future Plans
Neena Bitritto-Garg, Founder and CEO of Ensho Therapeutics, highlighted the significance of these findings: "These data clearly indicate that NSHO-101 is effectively saturating the target with a once-daily dosing regimen and has an encouraging safety profile to date."
The Phase 1 clinical program evaluated NSHO-101 in 184 healthy volunteers, assessing safety, tolerability, food effects, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters. Building on these positive results, Ensho Therapeutics plans to initiate Phase 2 clinical trials for ulcerative colitis in the first half of 2025.
Mechanism of Action
NSHO-101 works by inhibiting α4β7 integrin, a cell surface receptor crucial for immune cell migration to the intestine. By preventing the adhesion and migration of inflammatory leukocytes, the drug aims to reduce intestinal inflammation and improve IBD symptoms. This targeted approach mirrors the proven mechanism of existing biological therapies while offering the convenience of oral administration.
