# Intestinal Lengthening via Distraction Enterogenesis for the Treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome

> **NIH NIH R44** · ECLIPSE ENTEROGENESIS, INC. · 2023 · $813,592

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) is a rare, chronic, and devastating malabsorption condition where
patients are unable to absorb enough nutrients naturally to sustain life. This condition is due to
the loss of the majority of their small intestine from a massive surgical resection necessitated by
certain diseases that destroy the small intestine.
In the pediatric patient population, the most common diseases that lead to SBS are necrotizing
enterocolitis, midgut volvulus, and intestinal atresia. In the adult population, diseases include
Crohn’s, cancer, intestinal ischemia, and trauma. These conditions all result in the need for a
massive resection of the small intestine leaving the patient without enough functional small
intestine to absorb nutrients naturally.
Current chronic therapies for SBS include, parenteral nutrition, expensive daily medication and
intestinal surgery, which come at a staggering average 5-year cost of $1.6M per patient. It is
estimated that the first year of treatment for a pediatric SBS patient is in excess of $500,000.
Complications from daily parenteral nutrition include liver failure and central line infections
(sepsis). Mortality rates as high as 30% by age 5 have been reported and none of the currently
available treatments for SBS restore natural absorption of nutrients.
Over the last decade, intestinal lengthening via distraction enterogenesis has emerged as a
potential restorative treatment option for patients with short bowel syndrome. Preclinical
research has shown that mechanical distraction devices can stimulate the growth of healthy
small intestine tissue in multiple animal models. Literature has shown that for every additional
1% of expected small bowel a child possesses, the odds of weaning from parenteral support
increases by 3% (Belza et al, 2019). The goal of this project is to move this emerging
technology from the lab to the bedside by completing an FDA requested pre-clinical study,
receiving IDE approval, and conducting a First-In-Human clinical trial.
The Phase I portion of the project will produce the pre-clinical safety data on the final design of
the Eclipse XL1 distraction enterogenesis device required for FDA IDE submission. Based on
feedback from the FDA, Phase II will produce the First In Human clinical trial data in a stepwise
fashion to ensure safety and probable benefit. If successful, this novel treatment will
revolutionize the care of SBS patients and potentially return them to enteral autonomy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10705620
- **Project number:** 5R44DK127658-03
- **Recipient organization:** ECLIPSE ENTEROGENESIS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Andre Bessette
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $813,592
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10705620

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10705620, Intestinal Lengthening via Distraction Enterogenesis for the Treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome (5R44DK127658-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10705620. Licensed CC0.

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