Program · VL-001
Rethinking bile acid sequestration from the chemistry up.
Our lead asset, VL-001, pairs a reformulated sequestrant with targeted delivery — where bile acid pathology originates and where treatment matters most.
The biology
Bile acids, and what disrupts them.
Bile acids carry out essential roles in digestion before being efficiently reabsorbed by the ileal bile acid transporter at the terminal ileum. When that reabsorption fails, excess bile acid reaches the colon — where it drives the secretion of water and electrolytes, and, ultimately, chronic disease.
Bile acids are reabsorbed efficiently at the terminal ileum and recycled.
Reabsorption fails; excess bile acid drives secretion in the colon.
Our approach
VL-001: the value of targeted delivery.
- Bile acid sequestrants are not absorbed by the gut.
- However, they degrade in the hostile gut environment.
- To safely and effectively sequester bile acid at the terminal ileum, delivery of the sequestrant needs to be targeted.
- 01Protect the payloadFormulation designed to withstand the upper GI environment without premature degradation.
- 02Release where it mattersSite-specific release at the terminal ileum, where bile acid reabsorption occurs.
- 03Address tolerabilityA development plan focused on the side-effect profile that has historically limited adoption.
One mechanism. Three indications.
- Bile acid diarrheaVL-001 · Targeted-delivery sequestrantProof of ConceptCurrent stage: Proof of Concept
- Cholestatic liver disease–induced pruritusVL-001 · Targeted-delivery sequestrantDevelopmentCurrent stage: Development
- Statin-intolerant hypercholesterolemiaVL-001 · Targeted-delivery sequestrantDevelopmentCurrent stage: Development
Stages reflect current development status. Advancement is contingent on IND-enabling studies and regulatory feedback.
Intellectual property
A defensible position around targeted delivery.
Multiple issued U.S. patents covering the composition and delivery approach behind VL-001, with additional applications pending.
- 2023 · USPTOIssue notification received
Continuation patent further extending claims around composition and ileal-targeted delivery.
- 2022 · USPTOIssue notification received
Foundational composition-of-matter and method-of-use claims around the lead program.
- AdditionalPending applications
Continuation filings extend protection on formulation refinements and adjacent indications. Full IP estate available under CDA.
Partnering
Open to in-licensing, co-development, and strategic collaboration.
VL-001 sits in a clinically validated mechanism with a defensible IP position and a capital-efficient pre-clinical package. Materials and data are available to qualified partners under CDA.
- 01Pharma BDIn-licensing and territory deals for VL-001 in bile acid malabsorption and adjacent GI indications.
- 02Co-developmentJoint clinical development and regulatory strategy with established GI/hepatology franchises.
- 03InvestorsSelective conversations with strategic and financial investors aligned with the development plan.