Ironwood Pharmaceuticals to Share Real-World HCP Perspectives on Burden of Total Parenteral Nutrition in Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) at Digestive Disease Week® 2026
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a biotechnology company developing and commercializing life-changing therapies for people living with gastrointestinal (GI) and rare diseases, announced today that the company will present data from its LANDMARK survey during the 2026 Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) meeting being held from May 2-5 in Chicago, IL. The data will spotlight healthcare professional (HCP) insights on the burden of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS), as well as preferred attributes for potential new therapies that reduce TPN dependence.
SBS is a serious and chronic condition characterized by reduced absorptive capacity for fluids and/or nutrients, often requiring long-term dependence on parenteral support (PS) (IV nutrition and/or IV hydration) to sustain life. Patients with SBS who are chronically dependent on PS, also referred to as SBS with intestinal failure (SBS-IF), frequently experience significant treatment burden, reduced quality of life and increased risk of severe complications such as infection. Despite current management approaches, substantial unmet need remains for therapies that reduce PS dependence and improve outcomes. An estimated 18,000 adult patients suffer from SBS-IF in the U.S., Europe and Japan, and have chronic dependence on PS.
Ironwood is advancing apraglutide, an investigational, next-generation, long-acting synthetic GLP-2 analog, for SBS patients dependent on PS.
Short bowel syndrome remains a complex and underserved condition where patients and clinicians face significant challenges, particularly for those who rely on parenteral support, which is often life-sustaining but can be associated with substantial treatment burden,” said Michael Shetzline, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer, senior vice president and head of research and drug development at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. “By bringing forward real-world healthcare professional perspectives, we aim to deepen understanding of current management and the factors that shape SBS-IF care in everyday practice and help inform future therapeutic approaches.
In addition to the LANDMARK survey data, Ironwood will present long-term safety and tolerability data from the STARS clinical trial program of apraglutide in adults with SBS who are dependent on PS. Additional presentations include key findings from the company’s Phase 3 open-label safety extension study oflinaclotide in pediatric patients aged 2–5 years with functional constipation, as well as analyses in adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).
A full list of the poster presentations is below.
Short Bowel Syndrome
- “Burden of Total Parenteral Nutrition for Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome Dependent on Parenteral Support: Healthcare Professional Perspectives on Risks, Limitations, and Treatment Priorities” (Sunday, May 03, 12:30 pm CT) will be presented by Mena Boules, M.D., Ironwood Pharmaceuticals.
- “Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of Once-Weekly Apraglutide in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome and Intestinal Failure (SBS-IF)” (Sunday, May 03, 12:30 pm CT) will be presented by Palle Bekker Jeppesen, M.D., Dr.med/Sci., Ph.D., dls., Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.
IBS-C, CIC and Functional Constipation
- “Effect of pH-Modifying Agents on the Efficacy and Safety of Linaclotide in Adults with Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C): A Post Hoc Analysis” (Saturday, May 02, 12:30 pm CT) will be presented by Satish SC Rao, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP (LON), FACG, AGAF, Augusta University.
- “Safety and Efficacy of Linaclotide in Pediatric Patients Aged 2–5 Years with Functional Constipation (FC): Results from an Open-Label Safety Extension of a Phase 3 Study” (Monday, May 04, 12:30 pm CT) will be presented by Carlo Di Lorenzo, M.D., Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
- “Efficacy and Safety of Linaclotide in Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C): A Phase 3 Post Hoc Analysis by Race, Ethnicity and Age” (Saturday, May 02, 12:30 pm CT) will be presented by Aditya Ashok, M.D., Weill Cornell Medical College.
- “Linaclotide Efficacy in Adults with Severe Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC): A Post Hoc Pooled Analysis of Phase 3 Studies” (Monday, May 04, 12:30 pm CT) will be presented by Anthony J. Lembo, M.D., Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic.
About the LANDMARK Survey
The LANDMARK disease burden survey is a cross-sectional study of HCPs, patients and caregivers assessing the real-world burden of SBS and PS dependence. The HCP survey recruited 336 participants (U.S., n=123; Europe, n=213) with two or more years of experience treating patients with SBS-IF and actively managing one or more patients. Respondents included physicians (42.0%), pharmacists (23.0%) and dietitians (18.0%), practicing primarily in gastroenterology (45.2%), clinical nutrition/nutritional support (23.5%) and internal medicine (17.3%).
About Apraglutide
Apraglutide is an investigational, next-generation, long-acting synthetic GLP-2 analog with the potential to treat a range of rare gastrointestinal diseases where GLP-2 can play a central role in addressing disease pathophysiology. Ironwood is advancing apraglutide for short bowel syndrome (“SBS”) patients dependent on parenteral support (“PS”), a severe chronic malabsorptive condition. As the first and only GLP-2 to achieve a statistically significant reduction in weekly parenteral support volume with once-weekly administration, Ironwood believes apraglutide has the potential to improve the standard of care for adult patients with SBS who are dependent on PS.
About LINZESS (Linaclotide)
LINZESS® is the #1 prescribed brand in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), based on IQVIA data. LINZESS is a once-daily capsule that helps relieve the abdominal pain and constipation, associated with IBS-C in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older. LINZESS has also been shown to relieve constipation, infrequent stools, hard stools, straining and incomplete evacuation associated with CIC in adult patients. LINZESS relieves constipation in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years with functional constipation.
LINZESS is not a laxative; it is the first medicine approved by the FDA in a class called GC-C agonists. LINZESS contains a peptide called linaclotide that activates the GC-C receptor in the intestine. Activation of GC-C is thought to result in increased intestinal fluid secretion and accelerated transit and a decrease in the activity of pain-sensing nerves in the intestine. The clinical relevance of the effect on pain fibers, which is based on nonclinical studies, has not been established.
In the United States, Ironwood and AbbVie co-develop and co-commercialize LINZESS for the treatment of adults with IBS-C or CIC. In Europe, AbbVie markets linaclotide under the brand name CONSTELLA® for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe IBS-C. In Japan, Ironwood’s partner, Astellas, markets linaclotide under the brand name LINZESS for the treatment of adults with IBS-C or CIC. Ironwood also has partnered with AstraZeneca for development and commercialization of LINZESS in China, and with AbbVie for development and commercialization of linaclotide in all other territories worldwide.
About Ironwood Pharmaceuticals
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company developing and commercializing life-changing therapies for people living with gastrointestinal (GI) and rare diseases. Ironwood is advancing apraglutide, a next-generation, long-acting synthetic GLP-2 analog being developed for short bowel syndrome patients who are dependent on parenteral support.
In addition, Ironwood has been a pioneer in the development of LINZESS® (linaclotide), the U.S. branded prescription market leader for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). Building upon our history of innovation, we keep patients at the heart of our R&D and commercialization efforts to reduce the burden of diseases and address significant unmet needs.
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