Adial Pharmaceuticals Appoints David Rubenstein, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Scientist to Advance its Colon-Targeted AhR Agonist, AT177, for Ulcerative Colitis
Globe Newswire•16/10/2026•07:00 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤David Rubenstein appointed Chief Scientist to lead Adial’s AT177 research strategy
- ➤AT177 remains in IND-enabling studies for ulcerative colitis
- ➤First-in-human AT177 trials expected in 2027
- ➤AT177 is designed for colon-targeted AhR activation with limited systemic exposure
- ➤Adial acquired Azora Therapeutics in June 2026
Expert Statements
Matt Davidson, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer and Director of Adial Pharmaceuticals
“Dave is one of very few drug developers who has taken an AhR agonist all the way from the lab to patients, and that experience maps directly to what we are building with AT177”
Matt Davidson, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer and Director of Adial Pharmaceuticals
“We believe that his understanding of AhR pharmacology, translational science and the regulatory path for a first-in-class mechanism will be invaluable as we complete IND-enabling work and prepare to enter the clinic next year.”
David Rubenstein, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientist of Adial Pharmaceuticals
“Tapinarof demonstrated what targeted AhR activation can do for patients with inflammatory disease. The goal now is to bring that biology to the colon while keeping systemic exposure low, which is exactly how AT177 is being designed. I’m excited to join Matt and the team at this stage and to help advance a new oral approach for people with ulcerative colitis who still lack durable treatment options.”
Former Dermavant Chief Scientific Officer led development of tapinarof, the first FDA-approved AhR agonist, from mechanistic understanding through approval and commercialization
Will lead AT177 through IND-enabling studies toward first-in-human trials expected in 2027
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