Bile acid modification to promote esophageal repair

This technology uses ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to modify bile acid composition to promote recovery of damaged esophageal lining after injury.

Unmet Need: Effective treatment to promote healthy esophageal regrowth after endoscopic therapy

Endoscopic Eradication Therapy (EET) is commonly used to treat Barrett’s esophagus, a condition which arises from chronic esophageal injury due to bile acid reflux. However, the composition of bile acid in refluxate can prevent regrowth of healthy esophageal lining, leading to incomplete healing and frequent recurrence. As a result, patients often require multiple EET sessions, increasing the risk of complications, cost, and patient burden. There is a need for approaches that promote durable regrowth if healthy esophageal lining and reduce the need for repeated interventions.

The Technology: Bile acid modification to improve EET outcomes and prevent Barrett’s esophagus recurrence

This technology describes the use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as a treatment to modify the bile acid composition of gastroesophageal refluxate, promoting regrowth of normal esophageal lining. By reducing exposure of the esophagus to harmful bile acids, it improves outcomes of endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) and helps prevent recurrence of Barrett’s esophagus. As a result, this approach may reduce the number of required EET interventions, lowering patient burden, risk of complications and healthcare costs.

This technology is undergoing clinical trial.

Applications:

• Treatments of esophageal injuries like reflux esophagitis
• Decrease in number of EET treatment sessions needed to eliminate Barrett’s esophagus
• Improved protocols for 2D esophageal cell culture and 3D esophageal organoids
• Treatment of other conditions affected by bile acid composition

Advantages:

• Reduces number of treatment sessions needed by EET
• Prevents recurrence of Barrett’s esophagus following EET
• Lowers risk of complications during and after endoscopy
• Reduces burden on patients
• Reduces healthcare costs and increases treatment efficacy

Lead Inventor:

Julian Abrams, MD

Related Publications:

• Ravillah D, Singh S, Katabathula RM, et al. VSIG10L is a major determinant of esophageal homeostasis and inherited predisposition to Barrett’s esophagus. Nat Commun. 2026;17(1):2167. Published 2026 Jan 29.

• Tanes C, Li Y, Falk GW, et al. Increased reflux secondary bile acids are associated with changes to the microbiome and transcriptome in Barrett’s esophagus. Gut Microbes. 2025;17(1):2545420.

• Sun D, Wang X, Gai Z, Song X, Jia X, Tian H. Bile acids but not acidic acids induce Barrett’s esophagus. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2015;8(2):1384-1392. Published 2015 Feb1.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU26282

• Licensing Contact: Joan Martinez