Biomedicines publication highlights efficacy of epithelial barrier-promoting Barriolides™ as potential therapy for ulcerative colitis

Biomedicines publication highlights efficacy of epithelial barrier-promoting Barriolides™ as potential therapy for ulcerative colitis

• Peer reviewed research article demonstrates efficacy of EpiEndo’s proprietary Barriolides™, barrier-enhancing macrolide drugs with reduced antibacterial effects, in ulcerative colitis models

• Culmination of EpicoliX Project research partnership with Organ-on-Chip technology company, AlveoliX, part of the Eureka Eurostars funding program

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – 3 February 2026 – EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals (‘EpiEndo’ or the ‘Company’) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing Barriolides™, orally available macrolides with reduced antimicrobial resistance (AMR) potential, announces the publication of preclinical research in the international peer-reviewed journal, Biomedicines.

The article, “In vitro and in vivo efficacy of epithelial barrier promoting barriolides as potential therapy for ulcerative colitis,” authored by teams from EpiEndo and AlveoliX, demonstrates the efficacy of EpiEndo’s Barriolides™ as epithelial barrier-strengthening compounds in both in vitro and in vivo models of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterised by persistent inflammation and ulceration of the colon resulting in significant patient burden. It is estimated that 0.3%-0.5% of the global population is affected by IBD, with UC accounting for c.10-20% of those cases. Despite existing treatments, there remains a substantial unmet need for innovative therapies that deliver more effective and lasting benefits for patients with UC.

The publication marks the completion of the EpicoliX Project which began in May 2021, as part of the Eureka Eurostars program, and was also funded by the Icelandic Technology Development Fund, and Innosuisse in Switzerland. It combined AlveoliX’s ^AXGut-on-Chip technology with EpiEndo’s Barriolide™ compounds and expertise in chronic inflammatory diseases and drug development. AlveoliX’s ^AXGut-on-Chip model accurately predicted the efficacy of EpiEndo’s Barriolide^TM compounds, demonstrating epithelial barrier strengthening and modulation of inflammatory responses in vitro which were then repeated in vivo.

The key findings from the partnership are presented in the Biomedicines publication, supporting epithelial barrier enhancement as a promising therapeutic strategy, and validating the use of advanced in vitro models to improve translational confidence in preclinical drug development.

EpiEndo’s new class of orally available macrolides, known as Barriolides™, have the potential to alleviate inflammation and ulcer formation, offering a novel therapeutic approach for UC and other inflammatory indications.

Dr Jennifer Kricker, Head of Research at EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals commented:

“The data publication in Biomedicines completes this chapter of the EpicoliX Project, which has provided valuable information and enhanced our understanding about the use of our proprietary Barriolides^TM in diseases beyond respiratory.

"The use of Alveolix’s ^AXGut-on-Chip model to provide parallel testing of compounds has allowed us to investigate and accelerate the development of Barriolides™ in an advanced model compared to a traditional preclinical in vitro approach.”

-ENDS-

Contact:

EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals:
Maria Bech, CEO
+354 454 0090­­­

Vigo Consulting (EpiEndo media relations):
Rozi Morris
+44 20 7390 0230
epiendo@vigoconsulting.com

AlveoliX AG:

Nina Hobi, CEO

+41 78 333 08 92

info@alveolix.com

About EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals (www.epiendo.com)

EpiEndo is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a unique approach to chronic respiratory diseases that focuses on the role of epithelial function in various inflammatory disorders.

EpiEndo’s new class of orally available macrolides, with reduced antimicrobial resistance (AMR) potential, known as ‘Barriolides™’, show promise as first-in-class therapeutics for chronic respiratory diseases as well as other inflammatory indications. EpiEndo’s lead asset, glasmacinal, was the first Barriolide™ to enter clinical trials, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Glasmacinal aims to be a first on-market oral treatment which is anti-inflammatory and enhances the host defense response to inhaled pathogens such as viruses, bacteria & pollution.​ Therefore, glasmacinal has the potential to become an impactful treatment in reducing exacerbations in patients with COPD.

According to the WHO, COPD is the third leading cause of death globally, and the global economic burden of COPD is projected to cost $4.8 trillion by 2030.