Huons presented preclinical results for a drug candidate targeting fibrostenotic Crohn's disease at a European gastroenterology conference. The candidate curbed fibrosis — the hardening and narrowing of intestinal tissue — in cell and animal studies.
Huons said on Oct. 20 that it presented a poster on preclinical results for HUC1A-626, a selective inhibitor of the transglutaminase 2 (TG2) enzyme, at UEG Week 2026, the annual meeting of the United European Gastroenterology held in Barcelona, Spain.
Crohn's disease is a chronic condition marked by recurring inflammation of the intestine. Excessive buildup of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which supports cells, can thicken the intestinal wall and narrow the passage, leading to fibrotic strictures. Biologics now in use control inflammation effectively but have limited ability to halt or reverse fibrotic lesions that have already formed.
HUC1A-626 is an oral drug candidate designed to act locally in the intestine, blocking the TG2 enzyme that cross-links ECM proteins and stiffens tissue. The approach aims to break the cycle in which hardened tissue drives further fibrosis.
Huons had previously confirmed the antifibrotic effect of HUC1A-626 in experiments using cells derived from the human colon. Animal studies also showed reductions in fibrotic lesions and in insoluble collagen, which is difficult to break down. Based on the preclinical results, the company plans to pursue development of a first-in-class drug distinct from existing anti-inflammatory treatments.
Park Kyung-mi, executive vice president and head of research and development at Huons, said the study confirmed that a TG2 inhibitor can simultaneously control both ECM cross-linking and fibroblast activation, the core drivers of intestinal fibrosis. Park added that the company will develop the compound as a first-in-class drug that breaks the chain of fibrosis that continues even after inflammation subsides.