Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IRWD), a company specializing in gastrointestinal healthcare, has revealed plans to present findings from four studies examining apraglutide in adults diagnosed with short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure (SBS-IF), a condition where individuals rely on parenteral support. This announcement comes ahead of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) 2024 Nutrition Science & Practice Conference, scheduled for March 2-5, 2024, in Tampa, Florida.
Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a serious and persistent condition characterized by reduced absorption capacity for fluids and/or nutrients, often due to extensive intestinal resection. Patients with SBS-IF, reliant on parenteral support (PS) for nutritional and hydration needs, face significant challenges impacting their quality of life and are at risk of severe complications like infection. The response to treatment in these patients is greatly influenced by factors such as remnant bowel anatomy, including whether they have colon-in-continuity or require jejunostomy or ileostomy.
The apraglutide data to be presented encompasses an oral presentation on fluid and energy absorption outcomes at 4 weeks in SBS-IF patients with colon-in-continuity from the STARS Nutrition clinical trial. Additionally, poster presentations will cover apraglutide’s impact on reducing PS requirements and its safety profile in SBS-IF patients with colon-in-continuity over one year, an epidemiological study of SBS-IF utilizing real-world data, and an analysis of apraglutide pharmacokinetics in individuals with normal and impaired hepatic function.
Dr. Michael Shetzline, Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, and Head of Research and Drug Development at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, expressed enthusiasm about sharing these findings at ASPEN, a conference dedicated to crucial nutrition support. He emphasized that these insights contribute to the understanding of GLP-2 and the potential of apraglutide to assist adult SBS patients reliant on PS, including those with colon-in-continuity.
It’s estimated that approximately 18,000 adult patients in the U.S., Europe, and Japan suffer from SBS-IF, a rare and severe condition resulting from extensive intestinal resection, necessitating PS for nutritional and fluid requirements.
Key presentations at the conference include:
- Oral presentation: “The Novel Long-Acting Glp-2 Analog Apraglutide Improves Wet Weight Absorption in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome with Intestinal Failure and Colon-In-Continuity” on March 3.
- Poster presentation: “The Long-Acting GLP-2 Analog Apraglutide Reduces Parenteral Support Needs in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome With Intestinal Failure and Colon in Continuity: 1-Year Results of a Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase 2 Trial” on March 3 and 4.
- Poster presentation: “Epidemiology of Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome with Intestinal Failure (SBS-IF) in the US – Findings Using Real-World Data” on March 3 and 4.
- Poster presentation: “Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Single-Dose Apraglutide in Individuals with Normal and Impaired Hepatic Function: A Phase 1, Open-Label Trial” on March 3 and 4.
Furthermore, Ironwood will sponsor an Innovation Theater presentation titled “Oral Nutrition in the Era of GLP-2: An Essential Factor in Maximizing Intestinal Adaptation for Patients With SBS-IF” on March 3. Dr. Dejan Micic from the University of Chicago will chair the session, featuring a discussion on the significance of oral nutrition for SBS-IF patients in the context of GLP-2 treatment.
