Crohn’s disease and Pouchitis
Crohn's disease
Reponex seeks to improve on the current treatment of Crohn’s disease through the development of RNX-041. RNX-041 is applied directly onto the affected areas via a spray catheter that can be directed to the target area through the endoscope used for localisation of the lesions. Applying RNX-041 locally from the intestinal lumen to the areas of inflamed and damaged mucosa has the potential to restore the impaired mucosal barrier and local macrophage function without provoking systemic inflammatory effects. At the same time, the local application of the antibiotics in RNX-041 can reduce the load of intestinal bacteria that trigger and sustain the abnormal inflammatory response. To read more about Crohn’s disease and pouchitis click “read more” below.To read more about Crohn’s disease and pouchitis click “read more” below.
Rationale for developing treatment for Crohn’s Disease
The principle of the treatment is to supply RNX-041 locally to the inflamed areas of the intestinal mucosa from the intestinal lumen. The rationale is that this route of administration optimises a favourable local effect of RNX-041 which acts to restore the disrupted mucosal barrier without provoking an augmented systemic inflammatory response (with an unfavourable activation of unwanted immune cells such as eosinophils and basophils). Similarly, high local concentrations of broad-spectrum antibiotics attenuate the pathogenic influences from the intestinal flora, especially from the Enterobacteriaceae and B. fragilis group of organisms that are suspected of exacerbating Crohn’s disease.
Pouchitis
Pouchitis is a specific medical condition that primarily affects a particular group of patients who have previously undergone surgery to remove their large bowel due to ulcerative colitis. In this surgical procedure, a pouch is created using the terminal ileum, allowing these patients to have a relatively normal process of defecation. However, this pouch can become inflamed over time, leading to a chronic condition known as “pouchitis.”
Pouchitis can be extremely debilitating and distressing for these patients. It manifests with several distressing symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, a frequent and urgent need to use the toilet, and, in many cases, a significant reduction in their overall quality of life. The combination of these symptoms can have a profound impact on the daily lives of affected individuals.
A preliminary clinical phase II trial of RNX-041 in the treatment of pouchitis is ongoing at Zealand University Hospital. The study will provide invaluable data for the design and execution of the subsequent placebo-controlled trials of RNX-041.