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What's Ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease of the colon. In people with UC, the immune system mistakenly attacks the inner lining of the colon, leading to long-term inflammation and the development of tiny open sores, or ulcers. These ulcers can cause pain, bleeding, and an urgent need to use the bathroom.

Syptoms
in Daily Life

UC symptoms often come and go. During “flare-ups,” patients may experience:

Frequent diarrhea, sometimes with blood
Stomach pain and cramping
Fatigue and weight loss
A constant urge to use the toilet

These problems may sound small, but they can make everyday activities — eating meals, attending school, working, or socializing— extremely challenging.

Who is Affected?

UC can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins between the ages of 20 and 40.

It affects both men and women, and cases are rising not only in Western countries but also across Asia, including Taiwan.

Treatments for UC usually focus on reducing inflammation:

Medications such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants can control symptoms.
For more severe cases, biologic drugs are prescribed.

However, these treatments are often expensive, may cause side effects, and are not always effective for every patient. In some places, patients may wait months before accessing advanced therapies, leaving them to endure pain and uncertainty.

Expensive

Biologic therapies and long-term medications are highly effective, but their costs place a heavy burden on patients and healthcare systems. Many cannot afford consistent treatment.

Invasive

Patients often rely on colonoscopies for monitoring or even surgery when medications fail. These invasive procedures carry risks and reduce quality of life.

Inaccessible

In many regions, advanced drugs are not covered by insurance or are available only in specialized centers. This leaves many patients without timely treatment.

Why does it matters?

Ulcerative colitis is not just a stomach problem—it affects mental health, work, family, and quality of life. Raising awareness of UC is crucial so that patients receive timely support, better treatments, and compassion from society.

Our goal is to improve the situation.

We hope to provide
a new treatment option
for patients with ulcerative colitis.

We developed a single-chain antibody (scFv) targeting IL-23, inspired by existing monoclonal antibody therapies but redesigned into a smaller, engineerable format.

While our current prototype is expressed in mammalian cells for validation, our ultimate vision is to create a next-generation therapy produced and delivered by engineered Lactobacillus.

This approach could offer a more accessible, cost-effective, and patient-friendly solution for Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

Explore more!

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ENGINEERING

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HUMAN PRACTICE