Ensho debuts with inflammatory disease portfolio from Eisai's EA Pharma

Ensho Therapeutics, a biotechnology company based in New Jersey, has launched with a promising portfolio of therapies targeting inflammatory diseases. These treatments have been acquired from EA Pharma, a gastrointestinal-focused subsidiary of Eisai in Tokyo. The highlight of this acquisition is NSHO-101, an oral α4β7 integrin inhibitor intended for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). This phase 2-ready clinical program positions Ensho to make significant strides in addressing these chronic conditions.

The acquisition deal grants Ensho the global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize these assets, except in specific regions in Asia. Although the financial specifics of the agreement were not disclosed, the heart of the deal is NSHO-101, also referred to as EA1080. This compound is a lymphocyte homing integrin α4β7 inhibitor, a mechanism validated by the existing monoclonal antibody treatment Entyvio, which targets α4β7 for both UC and Crohn’s disease. However, currently, there are no marketed oral α4β7 inhibitors for IBD, highlighting the potential of NSHO-101 in this therapeutic area.

Ensho's decision to prioritize NSHO-101 stems from encouraging results of a phase 1 clinical trial. This early-stage trial assessed single and multiple ascending doses of NSHO-101 in 184 healthy male participants, demonstrating a favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profile. Buoyed by this data, Ensho plans to launch a phase 2 study for UC in the first half of next year. This study will be conducted in partnership with EA Pharma, and Ensho is committed to paying undisclosed milestone-based fees and tiered royalties to the Eisai subsidiary.

Neena Bitritto-Garg, the founder, president, and CEO of Ensho Therapeutics, expressed her excitement about the acquisition in a June 27 release. She noted that this portfolio of oral selective α4β7 integrin inhibitors, derived from AJM300—an oral α4 inhibitor approved in Japan for UC induction therapy—has significant potential. Bitritto-Garg's previous experience at Eisai and her appreciation for EA Pharma’s commitment to continuous drug development improvement were key factors in founding Ensho around this portfolio. She believes that NSHO-101 could offer a transformative alternative therapy for patients with IBD who have not responded to multiple lines of treatment.

Bitritto-Garg has a robust background in business development, notably her involvement with Eisai's partnership with Biogen for early Alzheimer’s disease treatment Leqembi. However, she will not remain at the helm for long. Dr. Bittoo Kanwar, the former Chief Medical Officer of Telavant, which was acquired by Roche, is set to take over as CEO on July 1. Additionally, Andy Whitney, Ph.D., a seasoned professional with experience at Applied Molecular Transport, BridgeBio Pharma, Gilead, and CGI Pharmaceuticals, will join Ensho as Chief Scientific Officer starting the same day. Emily Weng and Suzanne Vyvoda, both with extensive experience in the biotech industry, will also join Ensho as Chief Data Science Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively.

With a strong leadership team and a promising therapeutic portfolio, Ensho Therapeutics is poised to make significant advancements in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, particularly IBD and UC. The biotech's innovative approach and strategic collaborations signal a step forward in providing new therapeutic options for patients suffering from these challenging conditions.