Landos Biopharma Announces Strategic Research Collaboration with KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven to Further Characterize the Effects of NX-13 on Epithelial Cells

Collaboration Will Focus on Defining the Effects Of NX-13 in Ulcerative Colitis Patient Derived Organoid Models

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landos Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: LABP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, oral medicines for patients with autoimmune diseases, today announced a strategic research collaboration to investigate the effects of NX-13 on epithelial cells with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Team at KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven (KU Leuven), a leading European research university and hospital network known for its innovation in Leuven, Belgium.

NX-13 is the first-in-class, oral, gut-selective, NLRX1 agonist with a bimodal mechanism of action that addresses both extracellular signals and the intracellular environment to reduce pro-inflammatory signals restore immune and microbiome balance and improve epithelial barrier integrity. The NEXUS Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial of NX-13 in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) was initiated during the second quarter of 2023. Recruitment, screening and randomization of patients continues, with top-line results on track for the fourth quarter of 2024.

Bram Verstockt, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor and IBD specialist at KU Leuven, will lead the research collaboration together with professor Séverine Vermeire, M.D., Ph.D., aiming to elucidate the direct effects of NX-13 in epithelial cells by using UC patient-derived organoid models. These organoid models are ex-vivo 3D cell cultures containing formed mucosal and epithelial layers that mimic in vivo conditions while allowing for controlled in vitro studies. The results are expected to provide further insight into the impact of NX-13 on gene expression and regulation, and cytokine responses.  

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Verstockt and the IBD Team at KU Leuven, an established global research center at the leading edge of clinical and translational research,” commented Dr. Fabio Cataldi, Executive Vice-President & Chief Medical Officer at Landos. “We expect this research will broaden our already strong data foundation for the novel and unique bimodal mechanism of action of NX-13 and further validate the role of immunometabolism in inflammation and IBD.”