Patients with intestinal failure (IF) due to microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) or short bowel syndrome (SBS) cannot orally absorb adequate nutrients, electrolytes and fluids, and they therefore require lifelong total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with or without supplemental intravenous fluids, which together comprise parenteral support (PS), for up to seven days per week and up to 20+ hours per day. While PS is supportive, palliative and lifesaving, it is associated with serious complications.

crofelemer’s orphan
drug designation

Crofelemer has orphan-drug designation in the US and EU for MVID and SBS.

Reference: 1. Ali A, Mitchell G, Gallivan M, Henderson J, Iyer K. Epidemiology of U.S. patients with short bowel syndrome-associated intestinal failure: a claims database analysis. Intestinal Failure. 2025;8:100325. doi:10.1016/j.intf.2025.100325.