Eupraxia Advances EoE Drug Development With Phase 2b Milestone – ( $EPRX $IBB $XBI )

By John F. Heerdink, Jr.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(NASDAQ: EPRX, TSX: EPRX) has taken a significant step in its quest to address one of gastroenterology’s most stubborn challenges: eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The Victoria, Canada-based biotechnology firm announced (July 8, 2025) that it has dosed the first patient in the Phase 2b, placebo-controlled segment of its RESOLVE clinical trial, evaluating the investigational therapy EP-104GI for EoE .¹

Understanding Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

EoE is a chronic, immune-mediated disease marked by the infiltration of eosinophils—a type of white blood cell—into the esophagus. This infiltration leads to inflammation, pain, and difficulty swallowing, and can cause food to become lodged in the esophagus, sometimes requiring emergency intervention.
The disease is increasingly recognized, affecting both children and adults, and is often associated with other allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema. Current therapies, including dietary management and topical steroids, often provide only partial or temporary relief.

Eupraxia’s Approach: Precision Drug Delivery

Eupraxia’s investigational drug, EP-104GI, leverages the company’s proprietary DiffuSphere™ technology. This platform is designed to deliver medication directly and precisely to the esophageal tissue, aiming to maximize therapeutic effect while minimizing systemic side effects commonly associated with steroid treatments.
EP-104GI is administered as an injection into the esophageal wall, providing targeted, extended-release delivery of the active ingredient.

The RESOLVE Trial: Phase 2b Details

The Phase 2b portion of the RESOLVE trial will enroll at least 60 participants, who will be randomized to receive either one of two doses of EP-104GI or a placebo. After six months, patients initially assigned to placebo may opt to receive the active treatment.
The primary endpoint is improvement in tissue health, as measured by the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Histology Scoring System (EoEHSS). Secondary and exploratory endpoints include patient-reported symptom improvement, endoscopic and histologic changes, and safety assessments.

Recent data from earlier cohorts in the RESOLVE trial have been encouraging. Patients receiving higher doses of EP-104GI have shown notable reductions in peak eosinophil counts and improvements in both tissue health and symptom scores, with a favorable safety profile—no serious adverse events or steroid-related complications such as candidiasis have been reported.

Market Reaction and Industry Context

Following the announcement, Eupraxia’s shares climbed more than 9% in early trading and are now up +123.59% over the last year, reflecting investor optimism about the company’s progress and the potential for EP-104GI to address a significant unmet medical need.
The company’s pipeline also includes candidates for other inflammatory and pain-related conditions, leveraging the same drug delivery platform.

The Road Ahead

During the Phase 2b portion of the RESOLVE study, Eupraxia will continue to report additional data from patients that were entered into the open-label Phase 2a study, with further data from cohorts 5–8 available in early September and November of 2025. Eupraxia further expects to release topline results from the Phase 2b trial in the third quarter of 2026.
If successful, EP-104GI could offer a much-needed alternative for EoE patients who have limited options and face the risk of long-term complications from chronic inflammation.

“The durability in symptom reduction coupled with the prolonged improvement in tissue health from the ongoing RESOLVE trial suggest that EP-104GI could be exerting a tissue remodeling effect on the esophagus,” said Dr. Evan S. Dellon, chairman of Eupraxia’s Gastrointestinal Clinical Advisory Board.

Key Takeaways

EoE is a chronic, immune-driven esophageal disease with limited treatment options.
Eupraxia’s EP-104GI, using targeted drug delivery, is showing promise in early and mid-stage trials.
The company’s Phase 2b trial is a pivotal step toward potentially transforming EoE management.
Industry observers are watching closely as the trial progresses, with results expected in 2026.

This development underscores the growing momentum in the field of precision therapeutics for gastrointestinal diseases, as companies like Eupraxia seek to address conditions with high unmet needs and limited effective therapies.

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