Worldwide License Agreement for EA1080, Oral Selective α4β7 Integrin Antagonist, Signed between EA Pharma and Ensho Therapeutics

Core Insights - EA Pharma and Ensho Therapeutics have entered into a worldwide exclusive license agreement for the development and commercialization of EA1080 and other oral selective α4β7 integrin antagonists for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [1][2] - EA1080 is an orally-available small molecule designed to inhibit α4β7 integrin, which plays a role in the inflammation associated with IBD [3][4] - Ensho plans to advance EA1080 into Phase 2 clinical development in the first half of 2025, aiming to provide new treatment options for IBD patients [5] Company Overview - EA Pharma, a subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd., specializes in gastrointestinal diseases and has a comprehensive value chain covering R&D, production, and marketing [6] - Ensho Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing oral therapies for inflammatory diseases, with a pipeline centered on α4β7 integrin inhibitors for IBD [7] Market Context - IBD, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, affects a significant number of patients in Japan, with nearly 220,000 registered cases of ulcerative colitis and 70,000 of Crohn's disease as of 2019 [3] - The mechanism of IBD involves excessive inflammation in the gut, and the need for effective oral treatments remains high despite existing therapies [5]