Clinical Trial Results Show Progress in Celiac Disease Drug Development

First Tracks Biotherapeutics reported that its experimental drug ANB033 produced a statistically significant improvement in an early-stage trial compared to a placebo after six weeks of treatment. The drug was shown to improve measures of intestinal lining protection from gluten-induced damage and prevented symptom increases during a gluten challenge. First Tracks plans to report results from a second study cohort in the first quarter of next year.

The positive clinical findings validate the celiac therapeutic area, which is a focus for several pharmaceutical companies. Argenx and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. are also actively developing drug prospects in clinical testing against celiac disease, indicating a competitive market in this area.