Palisade Bio Gets Strategic Equity Investment From Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation To Advance Gut-Microbiota-Activated PDE4 Inhibitor PALI-2108

Palisade Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation, once-daily oral PDE4 inhibitor prodrugs designed for targeted delivery to the terminal ileum and colon, announced that the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation has approved a strategic equity investment of up to $500,000 in the company through its IBD Ventures program. This funding will support ongoing clinical and mechanistic development of PALI-2108, Palisade’s lead gut-microbiota-activated PDE4 inhibitor being advanced for fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease (FSCD) and moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC).

J.D. Finley, Chief Executive Officer of Palisade Bio, said the company is honored to receive this investment, noting that it reflects strong confidence in the scientific rationale behind PALI-2108 and in Palisade’s targeted, gut-restricted approach to PDE4 inhibition. He emphasized that the Foundation’s support highlights the potential of PALI-2108 to address important unmet needs for patients living with UC and FSCD, and he expressed enthusiasm for continuing to advance the program toward later stages of clinical development.

Dr. Andrés Hurtado Lorenzo, Senior Vice President of Translational Research and IBD Ventures at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, explained that the organization is committed to supporting innovations aimed at conditions where current treatment options remain limited. He noted that patients with FSCD and UC continue to face risks such as progressive strictures and the possibility of surgery, underscoring the need for better therapies. 

According to Dr. Lorenzo, PALI-2108 has the potential to address these gaps by directly targeting inflammation and fibrosis in the colon and ileum while minimizing systemic exposure. Through the IBD Ventures program, the Foundation invests in promising and differentiated therapeutic candidates like PALI-2108 to help advance novel approaches for inflammatory bowel disease.

Palisade has completed a Phase 1a single-ascending dose, multiple-ascending dose, and food-effect study of PALI-2108, as well as a Phase 1b cohort study in ulcerative colitis. The company is currently conducting an additional Phase 1b cohort study in fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease. Data from these studies are expected to support Phase 2 Investigational New Drug submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2026.