Understanding IBD
IBD is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis (UC) affects any segment of the large intestine, and Crohn’s disease can affect the digestive tract. IBD causes an array of debilitating symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, anemia and bleeding, which may limit activity and reduce quality of life.
IBD can be caused by damaged mucosal integrity, hypersensitivity to intestinal microbes or aberrant immune activation, often caused by a type of immune cell known as Th17 cells.
Huge Unmet Need
There is massive need for innovation to help all people living with IBD – from mild to severe – and for checkpoint-induced colitis. Patients face difficult choices for treatment; medications for milder cases are not effective for many and those prescribed for more severe cases carry significant limitations and health risks.
~ 1100000
people in the U.S. with mild-to-moderate IBD represent ~70% of the national IBD patient population
5-ASAs
are the standard-of-care drug to reduce inflammation caused by mild-to-moderate UC
Only 50% of UC patient, and only 42% of patients with oral 5-ASAs, achieve remission rectally
800000
people in the U.S. with moderate-to-severe IBD
ANTI-TNFs
and other systemic biologics to treat patients with moderate-to-severe IBD have significant side effects
30-50% of patients with moderate-to-severe IBD who do not respond to biologics may progress in disease severity and may require a colectomy
UP TO 20000
cancer patients undergoing checkpoint inhibitor therapy develop colitis
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPIES
for colitis can limit the effect of checkpoint therapies against cancer and reduce progression-free survival
CHECKPOINT-INDUCED COLITIS
can be aggravated by higher doses of cancer therapy and combinations of checkpoint inhibitors, limiting options for patients
The Promise of MetaWave™
Our therapies, which may be used alone or in combination, are designed to induce durable long-term remission across all stages of disease.
We at FirstWave are working to break the cycle of flare-ups and disease progression, where people with IBD are driven to try one intervention after another in search of relief. We are bringing a new arsenal to the fight against IBD: High-precision drugs that target only the cells responsible for gut inflammation.
Our MetaWave product candidates have demonstrated compelling clinical efficacy and encouraging safety data.
Patient Resources
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-fueled organization dedicated to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.
The IBD Support Foundation is a Los Angeles-based organization focused on providing comprehensive, patient-centered psychosocial care and education to patients with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and their families.