Gothenburg – – September 10, 2026 -- Epicyt Pharma AB reported positive topline results from a Phase 1/2a first-in-human study of its oral drug candidate BAFA, showing a statistically significant reduction in urinary calcium excretion in patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. The Gothenburg-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company said the trial, completed in March 2026, also recorded improvements in key biomarkers of calcium homeostasis, consistent with enhanced intestinal calcium uptake.
BAFA targets a market of 3.5 million patients across the EU and US
Epicyt estimates that approximately 3.5 million people in the EU and US currently live with impaired calcium homeostasis following bariatric surgery, with roughly 250,000 new patients added annually. RYGB is widely used to treat severe obesity but frequently impairs calcium uptake, raising the risk of secondary hyperparathyroidism, reduced bone density and fractures.
Current standard of care relies solely on calcium and vitamin D supplementation
Dr. Ville Wallenius, Adjunct Professor of Surgery at the University of Gothenburg and the study's Principal Investigator, said BAFA produced coherent biological effects on calcium homeostasis markers in the proof-of-concept trial. He noted that existing post-bypass treatment is limited to calcium and vitamin D supplementation, while BAFA offers a mechanistically different approach by improving the body's own calcium-balancing capacity.
Epicyt holds worldwide rights and plans to advance BAFA into Phase 2b
BAFA is a first-in-class oral candidate combining a bile acid with a short-chain fatty acid to boost intestinal calcium absorption. Epicyt holds worldwide rights to the compound and is now preparing to move the program into Phase 2b development, following the statistically significant results from the proof-of-concept study.