Biora Therapeutics, Inc. shared positive topline results from its clinical trial of BT-600, an orally administered drug-device combination in development for the potential treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). BT-600 leverages Biora?s ingestible NaviCap? device to deliver a proprietary liquid formulation of tofacitinib directly to the colon.

Results from this Phase 1 clinical trial involving 48 healthy volunteers met all trial objectives, with demonstrated drug absorption in colonic tissue that extended to the distal colon, suggesting pan-colonic delivery. Daily dosing with BT-600 was well tolerated by all participants. Results from the Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrate a pharmacokinetic (PK) profile consistent with drug delivery and absorption in the colon for both single and multiple ascending dose (SAD/MAD) cohorts.

First evidence of systemic absorption of tofacitinib was at six hours, consistent with colonic (vs. upper gastrointestinal) delivery. Maximal levels in the trial occurred at eight to ten hours vs.

30 minutes for conventional oral tofacitinib in other trials. Maximal systemic drug exposure was three to four times lower than that seen with conventional oral tofacitinib in other trials, demonstrating the NaviCap platform?s ability to deliver locally to the colon and limit systemic drug exposure. The distribution of colon tissue exposure suggests that pan-colonic delivery of tofacitinib was achieved.

Sites in the distal colon were biopsied, following delivery of tofacitinib in the proximal colon, for evidence of tissue drug exposure Biopsy results provided evidence of drug exposure extending to the distal colon, at common sites of disease. Post-retrieval device analysis further confirmed that NaviCap devices accurately delivered drug in the colon, with 100% of devices (SAD) and 98% of devices (MAD) detecting colon entry. NaviCap devices were well tolerated by participants in both the SAD and MAD cohorts.

The objectives of this Phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single and multiple ascending dose (SAD/MAD) clinical trial were to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of BT-600 when administered orally in healthy adult participants. The trial, which was conducted in the United States, consisted of two parts: The first part was comprised of 24 participants receiving a single ascending dose of BT-600 with tofacitinib at 5 mg or 10 mg doses or placebo. The second part was comprised of 24 participants receiving multiple ascending-doses of BT-600 with tofacitinib at 5 mg or 10 mg doses or placebo daily for 7 days.

The trial is listed at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06275464). The ?other trials? referred to in the summary of the Phase 1 clinical trial results above were conducted at different times, with differences in trial design and patient populations.

As a result, cross-trial comparisons cannot be made and no head-to-head clinical trials have been conducted.