Pipeline

Our Pipeline

Program: Vidofludimus Calcium (IMU-838)

Program: Izumerogant (IMU-935)

Program: IMU-856

Program: IMU-381

• Multiple Sclerosis

  Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. In MS, myelin, the coating that protects the nerves, is attacked and damaged by the immune system. Thus, MS is considered an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. MS is a progressive disease which, without effective treatment, leads to severe disability.

  Relapsing MS, or RMS, is the most common form of the disease. Approximately 85% of patients with MS are expected to develop RMS, with some patients developing more progressive forms of the disease. RMS is characterized by clearly defined attacks of new or increasing neurologic symptoms. These relapses are followed by periods of remission, or partial or complete recovery. During remissions, all symptoms may disappear, or some symptoms may continue and become permanent.

  Progressive MS, or PMS, includes both primary progressive MS, or PPMS, and secondary progressive MS, or SPMS. PPMS is characterized by steadily worsening neurologic function from the onset of symptoms without initial relapse or remissions. SPMS is identified following an initial relapsing remitting course, after which the disease becomes more steadily progressive, with or without other disease activity present.

  MS affects approximately one million people in the United States, and more than 2.8 million people, worldwide.^[1] The disease has a large economic impact as it affects mainly young adults in the prime working age, peaking around 30 years old, although MS can occur at any age. MS is up to three times more common in women than in men.^[2]

• Ulcerative Colitis

  Ulcerative colitis, or UC, is most commonly diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood, but it can occur at any age. The occurrence of UC worldwide has increased over the past few years^[3], particularly in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. Recent estimates note that there are more than 700,000 patients affected by UC in the United States^[4], as well as 1.5 million in Europe^[5] and more than 100,000 in Canada^[6]. UC is almost equally distributed between genders^[7].

  UC is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by diffuse inflammation of the mucosa of the colon and rectum. The hallmark clinical symptoms of UC are diarrhea and bloody stool, and its clinical course is marked by exacerbations and remissions, which may occur spontaneously or in response to treatment changes or intercurrent illnesses.

• Celiac Disease

  Celiac disease is a multifactorial, complex autoimmune disease caused by an inappropriate immune reaction against a degradation product of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. It is characterized by impaired intestinal barrier function with villous atrophy and consecutive nutrient malabsorption.

  Ongoing inflammation in patients with celiac disease can cause debilitating symptoms and serious medical complications. Many patients suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and have abnormal bowel epithelial lining (villous atrophy and crypt enlargement). Small bowel damage often leads to nutrient malabsorption that can result in a range of further clinical manifestations such as fatigue, anemia, osteopenia, weight loss, or failure to thrive in children. In addition, extra-intestinal symptoms and systemic manifestations are often present, such as dermatitis herpetiformis, infertility, or neurological and skeletal disorders. Patients with persistent villous atrophy show an increased risk of lymphoproliferative malignancy. The intestinal epithelial barrier, physiologically impermeable to macromolecules such as gliadin, is recognized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of celiac disease. In children, nutrient malabsorption can affect growth and development, in addition to causing the symptoms seen in adults.

  There is currently no known cure or medical treatment for celiac disease and patients must adhere to a strict, life-long gluten-free diet which can help manage symptoms and avoid disease flareups.

  Celiac disease is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide.^[8] In the United States, alone, it is estimated that there are approximately two million people diagnosed with celiac disease and an additional approximately one million people are undiagnosed, yet still at risk for long-term health complications.^{[9, 10]}