Publications

Scientists and Experts Publish on Unique EsoCap Technology for upper GI Tract Diseases

The teams of scientists from the University of Greifswald and world-leading clinicians in the field of gastroenterology have published several international peer-reviewed papers.

Phase II ACESO study results in eosinophilic esophagitis published

Detailed results of the ACESO Phase II study in EoE published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

ESO-101 leverages EsoCap’s unique drug delivery technology to achieve localized treatment of the esophageal lining with the anti-inflammatory corticosteroid mometasone furoate

A Leap for Esophageal Health

The publications include the proof-of-concept functionality study conducted in healthy volunteers at the University of Greifswald as well as the acceptance of the EsoCap system in healthy volunteers. The EsoCap platform addresses a broad range of diseases with high unmet medical needs and unsatisfactory treatment options, including GERD, Barrett's disease and esophageal cancer.

Krause, J.; Rosenbaum, C.; Grimm, M.; Rump, A.; Keßler, R.; Hosten, N.; Weitschies, W. The EsoCap-System – An Innovative Platform to Drug Targeting in the Esophagus. J. Control. Release 2020, 327, 1–7, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.08.011

Revolutionizing Esophageal Drug Delivery

Researchers at the University of Greifswald have developed and published a biorelevant test system for characterizing esophageal drug delivery systems. This biorelevant assay system allows characterization of the residence time of potential formulations, from small molecules to biologics, including approved and investigational agents, in the esophagus, which is fundamental to the success of local therapy.

Rosenbaum, C.; Gerds, N.; Hack, L.; Weitschies, W. Scalability of API-Loaded Multifilament Yarn Production by Hot-Melt Extrusion and Evaluation of Fiber-Based Dosage Forms. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 1103, https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16081103.

Brokmann, F.; Simonek, P.; Rosenbaum, C. Modification of the Biorelevant Release Testing of Esophageal Applied Mucoadhesive Films and Development of Formulation Strategies to Increase the Mucosal Contact Time. Pharmaceutics 2024, 16, 1021, https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16081021.

Brokmann, F.; Feindt, F.; Weitschies, W.; Rosenbaum, C. Development of Test Programs for the Biorelevant Characterization of Esophageal-Applied Dosage Forms. Polymers 2023, 15, 3430, https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2022.2033206.

Krause, J.; Brokmann, F.; Rosenbaum, C.; Weitschies, W. The Challenges of Drug Delivery to the Esophagus and How to Overcome Them. Expert Opin. Drug Deliv. 2022, 19, 119–131, https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2022.2033206. Please contact the corresponding author for a full text at werner.weitschies@uni-greifswald.de.

Rosenbaum, C.M.; Brokmann, F.; Krause, J.; Weitschies, W. Establishment of a Dissolution Test System for the Biorelevant Characterization of Esophageal Applied Dosage Forms. J. Pharm. Sci. 2022, 111, 62–68, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2021.05.011.

Rosenbaum, C.; Großmann, L.; Neumann, E.; Jungfleisch, P.; Türeli, E.; Weitschies, W. Development of a Hot-Melt-Extrusion-Based Spinning Process to Produce Pharmaceutical Fibers and Yarns. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1229, https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14061229.

Phase II ACESO Trial Design

The ACESO study design for the Phase II trial conducted by EsoCap with ESO-101 in the lead indication eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) was presented at the EAACI (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) Congress.
ESO-101 was tested in a multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase II trial evaluating outcomes including histological efficacy, tolerability, and safety in adults with active EoE.

Lucendo, A.J., Presentation of the ACESO-Trial Design, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial evaluating the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a novel delivery-system (ESO-101) for topical esophageal treatment (EAACI Hybrid Congress)

Paving the way for RNA drug development for esophageal diseases

The team of scientists at the University of Greifswald have published highly promising data for the development of RNA drugs for localized use in the oesophagus, utilizing the EsoCap System. The core component is a mucoadhesive film that carries the RNA drug and is precisely applied to the esophagus.
Research in the area of RNA has been particularly active over the last years. These new results form the basis for future research into RNA therapies for esophageal diseases and offer a promising perspective for innovative drug formulations on the EsoCap system.

Weide, A.; Brokmann, F.; Appel, B.; Rosenbaum, C.; Krause, J.; Janke, U.; Delcea, M.; Weitschies, W.; Müller, S. Stability of Free and Liposomal Encapsulated RNA on a Mucoadhesive PVA Polymer for Esophageal RNA Drug Targeting Using the EsoCap System. Advanced Therapeutics 2024, Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.202300446.

Innovation in Personalized Drug Delivery

The scientists at the University of Greifswald have developed 3D-printed mucoadhesive films with customizable patterns of drug-loaded and placebo sections, allowing precise, site-specific drug release within the esophagus.

This technology offers a targeted and localized treatment for esophageal diseases such as Barrett's esophagus, improving therapeutic outcomes while reducing systemic side effects.

The research demonstrates the promise of advanced 3D printing for next-generation drug delivery, revolutionizing treatment options for other esophageal conditions, including esophageal cancer, where site-specific dosing is a potential game changer.

Brokmann, F.; Grzam, S.; Kandzi, J.F.; Krause, J. 3D Printed Mucoadhesive Films: Individualized Drug Dosing for Localized Drug Delivery. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 2025, 107284, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2025.107284

Papers

Brokmann F, et al. 3D Printed Mucoadhesive Films: Individualized Drug Dosing for Localized Drug Delivery. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2025; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2025.107284

Lucendo AJ, el al. Clinical trial: Safety and efficacy of a novel oesophageal delivery system for topical corticosteroids versus placebo in the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis. Aliment Pharmacol Therapeutics 2025; https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18443

Weide, A., Brokmann, F., Appel, B., Rosenbaum, C., Krause, J., Janke, U., Delcea, M., Weitschies, W., & Müller, S. Stability of Free and Liposomal Encapsulated RNA on a Mucoadhesive PVA Polymer for Esophageal RNA Drug Targeting Using the EsoCap System. In Advanced Therapeutics 2024. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/adtp.202300446

Rosenbaum, C.M.; Brokmann, F.; Krause, J.; Weitschies, W. Establishment of a Dissolution Test System for the Biorelevant Characterization of Esophageal Applied Dosage Forms. J. Pharm. Sci. 2022, 111, 62–68, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2021.05.011

Rosenbaum, C.; Grimm, M.; Krause, J.; Rump, A.; Kessler, R.; Hosten, N.; Weitschies, W. Functionality and Acceptance of the EsoCap System—A Novel Film-Based Drug Delivery Technology: Results of an In Vivo Study. Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 828, https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13060828

Krause, J.; Rosenbaum, C.; Grimm, M.; Rump, A.; Keßler, R.; Hosten, N.; Weitschies, W. The EsoCap-System – An Innovative Platform to Drug Targeting in the Esophagus. J. Control. Release 2020, 327, 1–7, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.08.011