Thoughtfully Approaching GI Drug Discovery
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to redefining the standard of care for patients suffering from GI diseases is unwavering. We understand that debilitating GI diseases exist, and countless patients need meaningful and effective medicines.
We are focused on following the science and strengthening our portfolio by pursuing opportunities in organic GI diseases with significant unmet medical need, strong mechanistic rationale, and commercial viability. By following this strategy, we can leverage our leading GI capabilities and expertise now and in the future.
Linaclotide was discovered because of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals’ pioneering research on the intestinal enzyme guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) and went on to become the first GC-C agonist approved in the U.S., establishing GC-C agonists as a new class of medicines.
GC-C is found mainly on the surface of the intestine and is thought to be a potential target for a variety of gastrointestinal diseases. Ironwood developed an orally available peptide – linaclotide – that selectively hits this target and can survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach to reach GC-C in the intestine.
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to redefining the standard of care for patients suffering from GI diseases is unwavering.
We are focused on following the science and strengthening our portfolio by pursuing opportunities in organic GI diseases with significant unmet medical need, strong mechanistic rationale, and commercial viability. By following this strategy, we can leverage our leading GI capabilities and expertise now and in the future.
Linaclotide was discovered because of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals’ pioneering research on the intestinal enzyme guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) and went on to become the first GC-C agonist approved in the U.S., establishing GC-C agonists as a new class of medicines.
GC-C is found mainly on the surface of the intestine and is thought to be a potential target for a variety of gastrointestinal diseases. Ironwood developed an orally available peptide – linaclotide – that selectively hits this target and can survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach to reach GC-C in the intestine.
Apraglutide* is an investigational drug being developed as a once-weekly treatment for patients who have SBS with intestinal failure (SBS-IF). It is a next-generation, long-acting, synthetic GLP-2 analog that acts as a selective, full agonist of the GLP-2 receptor.
Apraglutide has the potential to enable patients to minimize the burden from PS by increasing intestinal absorption of fluids, calories and nutrients. Apraglutide has successfully completed phase 2 studies and is currently being evaluated in a pivotal phase 3 clinical trial. Based on preclinical and clinical data to date, apraglutide has the potential to advance the treatment SBS-IF, by establishing less frequent dosing and improving outcomes in a clinically meaningful fashion to address the needs of patients across the anatomical spectrum that characterizes the disease.
We plan to assess the safety and efficacy of apraglutide in pediatric SBS-IF and in other conditions where we believe the mechanism of action of GLP-2 has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit due to its impact on intestinal growth and absorption, gastrointestinal (GI) blood flow and GI barrier function and immunity.
*Apraglutide is an investigational agent not approved in any region.
