Huons Unveils Promising Preclinical Results for Crohn's Disease Fibrosis Drug Candidate

Huons researchers present preclinical findings on HUC1A-626, a drug candidate for fibrostenotic Crohn's disease, at UEG Week 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, on Oct. 18. A new therapeutic approach has emerged that aims to address intestinal fibrosis, a major complication affecting approximately half of patients with Crohn's disease. Unlike existing treatments that primarily focus on controlling inflammation, the approach seeks to directly inhibit fibrotic lesions that cause the intestinal wall to harden and narrow. Huons announced on Oct. 20 that it had presented preclinical research findings on its selective TG2 inhibitor, HUC1A-626, in a poster presentation at UEG Week 2026, the annual congress of United European Gastroenterology, held in Barcelona, Spain, from Oct. 17 to 20. HUC1A-626 is an oral drug candidate under development by Huons for fibrostenotic Crohn's disease (FSCD). Crohn's disease is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation that can affect any part of the digestive tract. Repeated inflammation activates intestinal fibroblasts, which can lead to excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). This causes the intestinal wall to thicken and the intestinal lumen to narrow, resulting in strictures. Existing biologic therapies are effective at reducing inflammation but have significant limitations in reversing established fibrotic tissue. Huons has identified transglutaminase 2 (TG2) as a key therapeutic target. The enzyme acts like an adhesive, abnormally cross-linking extracellular matrix proteins and causing tissue to stiffen. As the tissue becomes more rigid, fibroblasts respond by releasing additional profibrotic factors, perpetuating a vicious cycle. HUC1A-626 is designed to act locally in the intestinal tract and selectively inhibit TG2 activity, interrupting this process. In experiments using fibroblasts derived from human colonic tissue, HUC1A-626 demonstrated antifibrotic effects through multiple pathways by inhibiting TG2. Subsequent animal studies also showed significant improvements in both histological and quantitative analyses, including reductions in fibrotic lesions and levels of insoluble collagen, which is particularly resistant to degradation. Building on these preclinical findings, Huons plans to accelerate the development of HUC1A-626 as a potential first-in-class treatment differentiated from existing anti-inflammatory therapies. However, its efficacy and safety in patients have yet to be established and will need to be evaluated in future clinical trials. Park Kyung-mi, executive vice president and head of research and development at Huons, said, "This study confirmed that TG2 inhibitors can simultaneously regulate ECM cross-linking and fibroblast activation, two key drivers of intestinal fibrosis. We aim to break the cycle of fibrosis that persists even after inflammation subsides and offer a fundamental treatment option for patients with Crohn's disease."