Huons presents non-clinical results for Crohn's disease drug candidate

Huons researchers presented non-clinical study results for HUC1A-626, a selective TG2 inhibitor candidate for treating fibrotic stricturing Crohn's disease (FSCD), at the UEG Week 2026 annual meeting in Barcelona, Spain.

FSCD is a major complication affecting approximately half of Crohn's disease patients, characterized by intestinal scarring and narrowing. While current biological agents manage inflammation, they have limitations in inhibiting or reversing existing fibrotic lesions. HUC1A-626 is designed as an oral inhibitor to act locally in the intestine by targeting Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an enzyme that acts as a biological glue by abnormally cross-linking extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins.

In studies involving human colon-derived fibroblasts and animal models, HUC1A-626 demonstrated high inhibitory efficacy and selectivity for TG2. Results showed a reduction in fibrotic lesions and insoluble collagen content. Huons aims to develop this as a first-in-class innovative drug to provide a fundamental solution for patients by breaking the cycle of fibrosis that continues even after inflammation subsides.