# Adial Pharmaceuticals Names Chief Scientist to Lead Ulcerative Colitis Program

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/adial-pharmaceuticals-names-chief-scientist-to-lead-ulcerative-colitis-program-8ebac1
- Published: 2026-10-16T11:00:00Z
- Category: company_news; sentiment: bullish; impact: medium
- Symbols: [NASDAQ:ADIL](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-ADIL)
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Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ADIL) has appointed David Rubenstein, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Scientist to head the development of its lead asset, AT177. Following the management update, shares of the drugmaker rose 4.67% to $3.14.

In his new role, Rubenstein will oversee pre-clinical and IND-enabling studies for AT177, an oral therapy designed to treat ulcerative colitis. The drug candidate operates as a colon-targeted AhR agonist, aiming to deliver therapeutic efficacy directly to the affected tissue while keeping systemic drug exposure low.

The regulatory work is intended to clear the way for initial human testing. The company plans to begin first-in-human clinical trials for AT177 in 2027, marking a key milestone in advancing the experimental treatment.

## Key points

- Adial Pharmaceuticals appointed David Rubenstein, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Scientist.
- Rubenstein will guide lead drug candidate AT177 through IND-enabling studies.
- AT177 is an oral, colon-targeted therapy being developed for ulcerative colitis.
- First-in-human clinical trials for AT177 are anticipated to start in 2027.
- Shares of Adial Pharmaceuticals gained 4.67% to reach $3.14.

## Questions and answers

### Who is the new Chief Scientist at Adial Pharmaceuticals?

Adial Pharmaceuticals appointed David Rubenstein, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Scientist to manage the development of its lead program, AT177.

### What is AT177 and what condition does it target?

AT177 is an oral, colon-targeted AhR agonist designed to treat ulcerative colitis while minimizing systemic exposure.

### When will clinical trials for AT177 begin?

Adial Pharmaceuticals expects to launch first-in-human clinical trials for AT177 in 2027 following IND-enabling work.