Velusetrag for the Treatment of Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction (CIPO).

Inclusion Criteria: Subjects with history of chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction or CIPO secondary to neurodegenerative or demyelinating disease. Subjects with estimated oral caloric intake of at least 30% of the daily age- and sex-recommended caloric intake. Subjects with at least 2 out of 4 CIPO gastrointestinal symptoms each of the 2 with a score ≥3 (on a 0 to 4 scale) at Day -1 Subjects accepting to provide and legally capable of providing free and informed consent to all procedures included in the protocol. All sexually active male participants who are partner of women of childbearing potential must use condom during intercourse until the 90th day after the end of the entire study. Female participants are eligible if they are: i) of non-childbearing potential or ii) of childbearing potential with a negative pregnancy test result at screening and randomization AND agreeing to use a highly effective method of contraception (i.e., with failure rate of less than 1% per year) until the end of the entire study. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects with primary CIPO or CIPO secondary to other known endocrine/metabolic, autoimmune diseases and neurologic conditions other than neurodegenerative or demyelinating diseases. Subjects with conditions characterized by mechanical intestinal obstruction. Nasogastric tube, gastrostomy tube, or jejunostomy feeding tube in place at randomization or planned throughout the duration of the study, or artificial food need scale stage 3. Presence of untreated clinically relevant thyroid dysfunction or known thyroid dysfunction not well controlled by treatment deemed clinically significant by the Investigator. Subjects with history of diabetes at screening. Clinically significant ECG abnormalities at screening and randomization. Screening ECG with a QTcF >450 msec in males or >470 msec in females or family history of sudden cardiac death. Subjects requiring a low galactose diet. Hypersensitivity or documented intolerance to lactulose, lactose or any excipient of the lactulose preparation to be used for L-BT. History of sensitivity to velusetrag, or any of the velusetrag or placebo excipients. Use of scopolamine or erythromycin within 2 weeks prior to screening and/or planned throughout the duration of the study. Use of 5-HT4 receptor agonists within 5 days prior to randomization and/or planned throughout the duration of the study Use of opioids within 8 weeks from screening and/or planned throughout the duration of the study. Received strong cytochrome P450-isozyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors within 2 weeks prior to screening and/or planned throughout the duration of the study. Received strong P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter inhibitors within 2 weeks prior to Screening and/or planned throughout the duration of the study. Received strong breast cancer resistance protein transporter inhibitors within 2 weeks prior to screening and/or planned throughout the duration of the study. Current swab-positive or suspected (under investigation) COVID-19 infection. Cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and/or need of any anti-cancer treatment (also including radiotherapy) within the last 5 years. Severe kidney impairment. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT) levels >2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN); bilirubin (unless deemed to be due to Gilbert's Syndrome) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) >1.5 times ULN. Severe hepatic impairment defined as Child-Pugh C. History of any of the following cardiac disorders: i) torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation; ii) previous myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, acute coronary syndrome, coronary artery or cerebral revascularization procedure or stroke within the previous 18 months; iii) angina pectoris class 2-4 during the last 12 months prior to screening; iv) congestive heart failure NYHA class III-IV during the last 18 months prior to screening. History of any alcohol or drug abuse or dependence within the last year (Investigator's judgement). Any current significant health condition that in the Investigator's judgement may: i) jeopardize the patient's safeparticipation in the trial or ii) make unlikely the patient's completion of the study or iii) make unlikely the patient's compliance with the study procedures. Pregnant or breastfeeding woman. Use of any experimental drug within 12 weeks prior to screening