A New Possibility for Patients with Chronic Constipation
ANJ908 (Pradigastat) has the potential to markedly improve treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome-associated constipation (IBS-C), two prevalent diseases with few effective treatments.
Bridging the Treatment Gap
In clinical trials, ANJ908 has shown high response rates in individuals with constipation.
Discovery: A Better Target for Chronic Constipation
An enzyme called diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) was identified in the early 2000s as a possible target for metabolic diseases. DGAT1 plays a key role in the re-assembly of meal triglycerides, acting as a sensor of dietary fat intake.
In clinical trials, an unexpected observation was increased bowel movement frequency and softer stool. Anji is capitalizing on this consistent human pharmacology to realize the benefit of DGAT1 inhibition and better manage chronic constipation.
The inhibition of DGAT1 by ANJ908 changes the intestinal milieu, namely by raising the level of fatty acids in the gut lumen. This leads to increased colon motility and water secretion, two necessary attributes for effective constipation therapy.
Phase 2 Clinical Trial
Anji has initiated a Phase 2 trial of ANJ908 (pradigastat) in patients with functional constipation. Patients in the U.S. and China are participating in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study to demonstrate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ANJ908.