HA-MES

HA-MES is a hyaluronic acid-mesalamine conjugate developed as a cost-effective, first-line therapy for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. It is designed to improve drug targeting and reduce systemic exposure of mesalamine by forming a stable reservoir at inflamed sites in the gastrointestinal tract. The conjugate is synthesized via a water-based carbodiimide-mediated condensation reaction, with mesalamine conjugated to approximately 10.9% of the repeating disaccharide units of hyaluronic acid. Orally administered HA-MES has demonstrated prolonged retention in colitic colon tissue and significantly lower systemic exposure compared to mesalamine alone. In preclinical studies, HA-MES showed superior therapeutic efficacy by reducing myeloperoxidase (MPO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), while increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and enhancing the expression of tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and promoting goblet cell regeneration, thereby contributing to mucosal barrier restoration.

Other names

hyaluronic acid-mesalamine conjugate