Microbiotica Announces Clinical Trial Collaboration with MSD to Evaluate MB097 in Combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in a Phase 1b Clinical Trial in Melanoma

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Cambridge, UK, 12 April – Microbiotica, a leader in discovering and developing microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, today announces it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA).

Under the terms of the agreement, Microbiotica will conduct a phase 1b clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability, and initial signs of clinical activity of its live biotherapeutic product, MB097, in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in melanoma patients with primary resistance to an anti-PD-1-containing immunotherapy. Microbiotica will be the study sponsor and MSD will supply KEYTRUDA®.

MB097 is an orally administered live biotherapeutic product consisting of a defined consortium of nine bacterial strains designed to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as KEYTRUDA®.

The bacterial strains in MB097 were identified by analysing the microbiome of patients in multiple studies of ICIs in melanoma. Microbiotica’s discovery platform facilitates precise, strain-level identification of bacterial signatures associated with clinical response. Moreover, MB097 displayed potent anti-tumour efficacy in combination with ICIs in in vivo tumour models and demonstrated multiple immuno-stimulatory mechanisms in primary human immune cell assays including Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte activation and tumour cell killing in vitro.

Tim Sharpington, CEO of Microbiotica, said: “We are delighted to be working with MSD, a world leader in immuno-oncology. The treatment of patients with advanced melanoma has been revolutionised by ICIs such as KEYTRUDA® and there is an opportunity to increase the number of patients who can benefit from these treatments. There is growing evidence that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in determining a patient’s response to ICIs and we believe that MB097, in combination with KEYTRUDA®, has the potential to enhance the benefit for patients with advanced melanoma and other difficult-to-treat cancers.”

(KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.)

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Contact:

Microbiotica
Ro Gardner
T: +44 1223 869302 / M: +44 7801 480569
E: rgardner@microbiotica.com

Microbiotica (Media relations)
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Giulia Lasagni / Batoul Ali
T: +44 20 7457 2020
E: microbiotica@instinctif.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Microbiotica

Microbiotica is a leading player in the field of microbiome-based therapeutics, biomarkers and targets. The Company is building a growing pipeline of differentiated products based on high quality clinical datasets and unique bacterial signatures that drive biology, identified by its proprietary platform.

Consisting of a leading microbiome Reference Genome Database, Culture Collection, mass culturing technology (Personalised Bacterial Bank) and proprietary AI tools, Microbiotica’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. The Company’s current therapeutic areas of focus are immuno-oncology and IBD and it has established major clinical and academic partnerships in these areas.

Spun out of the Sanger Institute in 2016, the Company is based at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK. Microbiotica’s investor syndicate includes British Patient Capital, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Flerie Invest, IP Group plc, Seventure Partners, and Tencent. In 2022, Microbiotica raised £50 million Series B fund raising, the largest such fund raising for a microbiome company in Europe.

For more information, please visit www.microbiotica.com, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Microbiotica announces transition of leadership

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  • Co-founder and CEO Mike Romanos steps down after six years to take up role of Associate Dean of Enterprise in the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College
  • Tim Sharpington, Microbiotica COO and experienced industry executive, appointed new CEO

Cambridge, UK, 29 November 2022 – Microbiotica, a leading player in discovering and developing microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, announces a change of leadership as Mike Romanos hands over the Microbiotica CEO role to current COO, Tim Sharpington.

Microbiotica is a leading player in microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers. The Company’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. In March 2022, the Company raised a £50 million ($67 million) series B to fund Phase 1b clinical trials in immuno-oncology and ulcerative colitis and the expansion of its pipeline to other indications. The fundraise was the largest microbiome-related financing in Europe to date.

Tim Sharpington, currently Chief Operating Officer, will become CEO from 1 January 2023.

Mike will be leaving Microbiotica at the end of the year in order to start a new position as Associate Dean of Enterprise in the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College, London. As the founding CEO, Mike has led Microbiotica over six years to become one of the leaders in the microbiome sector.

Tim Sharpington has established a track record of leading, developing and executing company strategy, with experience in product development, fundraising, M&A and licensing. He has over 30 years’ experience in senior executive and non-executive roles in pharma, biotech and CROs across Europe and the US, and has developed multiple approved products. Prior companies include Vectura, Arakis, ICON, Sequus and Open Orphan/hVIVO.

Mike Romanos, outgoing CEO of Microbiotica, concluded:
“It has been hugely rewarding to have spun out Microbiotica from the Wellcome Sanger Institute in 2016 with my co-founders Trevor Lawley and Gordon Dougan, and to see it become a leader in microbiome-based therapeutics. I’m now excited to be moving to a new role where I can use the breadth of my experience to promote enterprise and translation across biomedicine at Imperial.”

“I am delighted to be handing on the CEO role of Microbiotica to Tim, who has been an exceptional colleague and who has the leadership, experience and expertise to lead the Company to success in its critical next phase as it develops transformational products. I wish Tim and the team at Microbiotica every success.”

Hans Schikan, Chairman of Microbiotica, said:
“Since Tim joined the Company almost two years ago, he and Mike have worked very closely together and Tim is the obvious candidate to be the next CEO as the Company moves to clinical-stage.”

“On behalf of the Board, we thank Mike for his major contribution to the business. Through his strategic vision, scientific expertise and leadership, he has built Microbiotica into one of the leading microbiome companies. His close working relationship with Tim will ensure a smooth handover and is much appreciated. We wish him all the best in his new role.”

Tim Sharpington, new designate CEO of Microbiotica, added:
“Mike has been a major part of Microbiotica and he leaves the Company well positioned and financed and with a leading platform for microbiome therapeutics.”

“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Mike and the Microbiotica team for the last two years and I am excited to take the company forward as CEO as we prepare to take our lead programs in immuno-oncology and ulcerative colitis into their first clinical trials, a major step in bringing these novel therapeutics to patients.”

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Contact:

Microbiotica
Ro Gardner
T: +44 1223 869302 / M: +44 7801 480569
E: rgardner@microbiotica.com

Microbiotica (Media relations)
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Agnes Stephens / Giulia Lasagni / Batoul Ali
T: +44 20 7457 2020
E: microbiotica@instinctif.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Microbiotica
Microbiotica is a leading player in the field of microbiome-based therapeutics, biomarkers and targets. The Company is building a growing pipeline of differentiated products based on high quality clinical datasets and unique bacterial signatures that drive biology, identified by its proprietary platform.

Consisting of the leading microbiome Reference Genome Database, Culture Collection, mass culturing technology (Personalised Bacterial Bank) and proprietary AI tools, Microbiotica’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. The Company’s current therapeutic areas of focus are immuno-oncology and IBD and it has established major clinical and academic partnerships in these areas.

Spun out of the Sanger Institute in 2016, the Company is based at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK. Microbiotica’s investor syndicate includes British Patient Capital, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Flerie Invest, IP Group plc, Seventure Partners, and Tencent.

For more information, please visit www.microbiotica.com, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Microbiotica to present at key industry conferences in Q3 2022

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Cambridge, UK, 20 June 2022 – Microbiotica, a leading player in discovering and developing microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, confirms its upcoming scientific conference attendance.

Microbiome Movement – Drug Development, 21-24 June 2022, Boston, US
Dr Ron Carter, Microbiotica’s CMO, will be contributing to a panel at Microbiome Movement – Drug Development, taking place in Boston, US, from 21 to 24 June. This is a key conference series for the microbiome industry, and will focus on taking a collaborative approach to close the clinical gap, discover the next generation of microbiome-based therapeutics and establish new partnerships to accelerate research.

Ron will contribute to a panel discussion entitled “Learn How to Advance Your Clinical Trial Recruitment and Progress Your Pipeline” on 22 June at 12:00 pm local time, along with speakers from Enterobiotix, Series Therapeutics, Gusto Global and Alveolus Bio.

Microbiome Connect Europe, 6-7 July 2022 – Amsterdam
Microbiotica’s Director, Cell Biology, Dr Ghaith Bakdash will be presenting on the topic of “MB097: A clinically defined consortium of bacteria with potent anti-tumour activity” at the 8th Annual Microbiome Connect: Europe 2022 conference. This conference highlights the most advanced drug development and consumer product platforms applying live microbial consortia, engineered microbes, and microbial-derived metabolites for therapeutic and health applications in patients and consumers.

Ghaith’s talk is scheduled for 9.30am local time on 7 July.

Anaerobe 2022, 28-31 July – Seattle, US
Microbiotica’s Director, Discovery Microbiology, Dr Anne Neville will be presenting at Anaerobe 2022 which takes place in Seattle from 28 to 31 July on the subject of “Anaerobic Cultivation and Strain-Banking from the Human Gastrointestinal Tract”. This conference will address both the clinical and microbiological aspects of anaerobes, as related to human diseases, animal diseases, and environmental conditions.

Anne’s talk will be at 1.45pm local time on 30 July.

Immuno UK, 29-30 September – London, UK
Microbiotica’s VP Transitional Biology, Dr Mat Robinson, will be discussing “Co-Therapy Development For Immuno-Oncology” at Immuno UK, an event focussed on the design and delivery of innovative immunotherapies to transform cancer care, on 29 September at 2.20pm local time.

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Contact

Microbiotica
Ro Gardner
T: +44 1223 869302 / M: +44 7801 480569
E: rgardner@microbiotica.com

Microbiotica (Media relations)
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Agnes Stephens / Batoul Ali
T: +44 20 7457 2020
E: microbiotica@instinctif.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Microbiotica

Microbiotica is a leading player in the field of microbiome-based therapeutics, biomarkers and targets. The Company is building a growing pipeline of differentiated products based on high quality clinical datasets and unique bacterial signatures that drive biology, identified by its proprietary platform.

Consisting of the leading microbiome Reference Genome Database, Culture Collection, mass culturing technology (Personalised Bacterial Bank) and proprietary AI tools, Microbiotica’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. The Company’s current therapeutic areas of focus are immuno-oncology and IBD and it has established major clinical and academic partnerships in these areas.

Spun out of the Sanger Institute in 2016, the Company is based at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK. Microbiotica’s investor syndicate includes British Patient Capital, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Flerie Invest, IP Group plc, Seventure Partners, and Tencent.

For more information, please visit www.microbiotica.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Microbiotica Receives Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Funding to Develop Ulcerative Colitis Therapeutic

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Collaboration with US-based non-profit underlines potential of Company’s ulcerative colitis work

Cambridge, UK, 05 April 2022 – Microbiotica, a leading player in microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, today announces it has received project funding from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, as part of their IBD Ventures program, for the development of therapies to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The project, to support the ongoing development of Microbiotica’s Live Bacterial Therapeutic (LBT) MB310 for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), was funded following an extensive review process including industrial and clinical key opinion leaders, and is strong recognition of Microbiotica’s unique capabilities in the discovery and development of microbiome-based therapies.

The funding will be used to progress the development of MB310 through cGMP manufacturing to enable an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, allowing progression into a first-in-human clinical trial. As important will be the close collaboration with the Foundation, which has developed a unique set of resources to accelerate IBD research, such as clinical research networks and IBD Plexus®.

MB310 is a fully defined LBT comprising 10 bacterial species, identified using Microbiotica’s unique microbiome discovery platform in combination with a best-in-class faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) study undertaken by Microbiotica and the University of Adelaide. Numerous studies have shown the link between UC and the gut microbiome, with several FMT studies validating the approach of changing the microbiome composition leading to clinical remission by reducing bacteria-driven inflammation. Pre-clinical testing shows that MB310 can address key UC disease pathologies, with the ability to repair the epithelial barrier and restore immune homeostasis.

Mike Romanos, Co-Founder and CEO of Microbiotica, said: “We’re delighted that a prestigious organisation, such as the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, has awarded us this funding. It serves as an endorsement of our precision medicine approach and our work to harness the microbiome to treat UC. The Foundation’s expertise and network within this disease area will be invaluable in supporting the development of MB310 through to clinical studies.

“Ulcerative Colitis is an increasing burden on society, and a growing disease for which there needs to be improved treatment options. We believe our therapeutic candidate has the potential to provide a much-needed non-immunosuppressant-based treatment option for those suffering with UC.”

Dr. Andrés Hurtado-Lorenzo, Vice President, Translational Research Programs for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, commented: “The work undertaken by Microbiotica in the UC area is most impressive. We believe their approach to reintroduce microbial diversity into the gut is compelling and may present a really important opportunity to treat the underlying condition, not just offer relief for the symptoms.”

Ulcerative colitis is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease and affects millions of people worldwide. There is no known cure for UC and current treatments options are aimed at relieving symptoms associated with the condition. Immunosuppressant drugs can be an effective treatment, but often carry the risk of increased chance of cancer and infection.

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Contact

Microbiotica
Ro Gardner
T: +44 1223 869302 / M: +44 7801 480569
E: rgardner@microbiotica.com

Microbiotica (Media relations)
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Agnes Stephens / Nathan Billis
T: +44 20 7457 2020
E: microbiotica@instinctif.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Microbiotica

Microbiotica is a leading player in the field of microbiome-based therapeutics, biomarkers and targets. The Company is building a growing pipeline of differentiated products based on high quality clinical datasets and unique bacterial signatures that drive biology, identified by its proprietary platform.

Consisting of the leading microbiome Reference Genome Database, Culture Collection, mass culturing technology (Personalised Bacterial Bank) and proprietary AI tools, Microbiotica’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. The Company’s current therapeutic areas of focus are immuno-oncology and IBD and it has established major clinical and academic partnerships in these areas.

Spun out of the Sanger Institute in 2016, the Company is based at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK. Microbiotica’s investor syndicate includes British Patient Capital, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Flerie Invest, IP Group plc, Seventure Partners, and Tencent.

For more information, please visit www.microbiotica.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the leading non-profit organization focused on both research and patient support for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Foundation’s mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life for the millions of Americans living with IBD. For over 50 years, we have been inspiring and engaging patients and caregivers in the country’s largest IBD community, and helping to dramatically accelerate the pace of research by breaking down traditional barriers to patients, data, funding, and collaborations. We also provide extensive educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public.

For more information, visit www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org, call (001) 888-694-8872, or email info@crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

Microbiotica raises £50 million ($67 million) to advance pipeline of microbiome-based therapeutics

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  • Funds Phase 1b clinical trials in immuno-oncology and ulcerative colitis and expansion of microbiome-based product pipeline to other indications
  • Series B funding round co-led by new investors Tencent and Flerie Invest, with additional participation from British Patient Capital and existing investors Cambridge Innovation Capital, IP Group and Seventure
  • Company on the trajectory to become a global leader in microbiome precision medicine based on proprietary microbial genomics platform

Cambridge, UK, 07 March 2022 – Microbiotica, a leading player in discovering and developing microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, today announced the completion of a £50 million ($67 million) Series B financing round – the largest microbiome-related financing in Europe to date.

The international investment syndicate was co-led by Flerie Invest, a major Swedish life science investor focussing on companies with ambitious science and the ability to tackle major medical challenges, and Tencent, a global technology company investing in innovations that help improve human life. New investors also included British Patient Capital, while existing investors Cambridge Innovation Capital, IP Group, and Seventure Partners, a world-leader in life science microbiome investment, all participated.

The proceeds will be used to progress Microbiotica’s two lead oral Live Bacterial Therapeutics (LBTs), MB097 and MB310 to Phase 1b clinical studies. MB097 is a fully defined LBT comprising a consortium of bacteria at the core of Microbiotica’s clinical microbiome signature predictive of patient response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor therapy. MB310 is a fully defined LBT comprising a consortium of bacteria for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) identified as being linked to remission in a UC faecal transplant clinical study.

Both MB097 and MB310 are precision medicines derived by highly accurate clinical microbiome profiling using Microbiotica’s platform which links consortia of bacteria with clinical trial outcome data. Both products have also been validated and mechanistically characterised pre-clinically through in vivo efficacy data and ex vivo human cell data.

The funds will also be used to expand Microbiotica’s discovery pipeline of biomarkers and LBTs in new disease areas.

Mike Romanos, Co-Founder and CEO of Microbiotica, said: “This major fundraise is a substantial validation of both our team and our world-leading technology. We are fortunate to have the support from new and current investors who have recognised the importance of the microbiome’s therapeutic potential and Microbiotica’s unique capabilities.

“With this additional investment, we will be able to conduct clinical trials with our lead products in immuno-oncology and ulcerative colitis. We will also expand our portfolio of microbiome-based products which have the potential to benefit patients globally.”

Carl-Johan Spak, Senior Advisor at Flerie Invest, commented: “There is ever increasing evidence that the microbiome plays an important role in human health and in multiple diseases, providing completely new therapeutic opportunities in biomedicine. We believe that Microbiotica’s world-leading platform, comprising their unique microbial genomes database, advanced microbiology and bioinformatics will lead to breakthrough results and transformational medicines in the microbiome field.”

Robert Tansley, Partner at Cambridge Innovation Capital, said: “We are delighted to have seen the progress made by Microbiotica since our initial investment. Microbiotica’s unrivalled capability to culture and characterise all gut bacteria from patients at scale coupled with its suite of impressive bioinformatic and machine learning tools makes the Company a leader in the microbiome field. We are delighted to continue to support the company as it applies its platform to address important diseases areas with precision medicine.”

Sam Williams, Managing Partner of Life Sciences at IP Group plc, said: “As a founding investor in Microbiotica, our thesis was that, by culturing, characterising and stratifying the human microbiome, Microbiotica would be able to identify live biotherapeutics with the greatest chance of clinical success in the microbiome field. The company’s pre-clinical data suggest that, so far, our thesis is proving correct, and we are delighted that the company’s esteemed new investors are joining us for the next leg of this exciting journey.”

Microbiotica, spun out of the Wellcome Sanger Institute, has taken microbiome analysis and patient stratification from clinical data to a new level of precision, and translates this into new therapeutics and biomarkers. The company’s proprietary technology is based on comprehensive gut bacterial isolation, its leading database of gut bacterial reference genomes and advanced bioinformatic and machine learning tools. Microbiotica has partnered with leading organisations, such as Cancer Research UK, Cambridge University Hospitals, University of Adelaide and Genentech.

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Contact

Microbiotica
Ro Gardner
T: +44 1223 869302 / M: +44 7801 480569
E: rgardner@microbiotica.com

Microbiotica (Media relations)
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Agnes Stephens / Nathan Billis
T: +44 20 7457 2020
E: microbiotica@instinctif.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Microbiotica

Microbiotica is a leading player in the field of microbiome-based therapeutics, biomarkers and targets. The Company is building a growing pipeline of differentiated products based on high quality clinical datasets and unique bacterial signatures that drive biology, identified by its proprietary platform.

Consisting of the leading microbiome Reference Genome Database, Culture Collection, mass culturing technology (Personalised Bacterial Bank) and proprietary AI tools, Microbiotica’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. The Company’s current therapeutic areas of focus are immuno-oncology and IBD and it has established major clinical and academic partnerships in these areas.

Spun out of the Sanger Institute in 2016, the Company is based at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK. Microbiotica’s investor syndicate includes British Patient Capital, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Flerie Invest, IP Group plc, Seventure Partners, and Tencent.

For more information, please visit www.microbiotica.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About British Patient Capital

British Patient Capital is the trading name of British Patient Capital Limited, a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the UK government’s economic development bank. It forms part of the British Business Bank’s plc’s commercial arm.

Its mission is to enable long-term investment in innovative firms led by ambitious entrepreneurs who want to build large scale businesses. Launched in June 2018, British Patient Capital has £2.5 billion to invest over 10 years in venture and venture growth capital to support high growth potential innovative UK businesses in accessing the long-term financing they require to scale up. Find out more at britishpatientcapital.co.uk.

British Business Bank plc and its subsidiary entities are not banking institutions and do not operate as such. They are not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). A complete legal structure chart for British Business Bank plc and its subsidiaries can be found on the British Business Bank plc website.

British Patient Capital makes commitments and invests on its own behalf and on behalf of third-party investors whose investments British Patient Capital manages.

The investment from British Patient Capital into Microbiotica does not amount to any endorsement or warranty from British Patient Capital, the British Business Bank plc, or the government of the UK.

About Cambridge Innovation Capital

Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) is a leading venture investor backing and building category-leading deep tech and life sciences companies. CIC currently manages more than £300 million and has invested in 30+ companies. CIC is a preferred investor for the University of Cambridge, Europe’s top source of founders for venture-backed start-ups.

Cambridge Innovation Capital Manager Limited (FRN:918898) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For more information, please visit www.cic.vc or follow us on Twitter at @CIC_vc and LinkedIn.

About Flerie Invest

Flerie Invest is a Swedish biotech and pharma investor managing a portfolio of more than 20 companies in Sweden, the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Israel. The portfolio companies are engaged in a wide range of areas including immuno-oncology, metabolic diseases and biologics development and manufacturing. The present investment focus is on drug development and tools for drug development. The company was founded in 2010 by Thomas Eldered, who also co-founded and built Recipharm to be one of the top five CDMOs globally. Flerie Invest is based in Stockholm and London.

About IP Group plc

IP Group is a leading intellectual property commercialisation company which focuses on evolving great ideas, mainly from its partner universities, into world-changing businesses. The Group has pioneered a unique approach to developing these ideas and the resulting businesses by providing access to business building expertise, capital (through its 100%-owned FCA-authorised subsidiaries IP Capital and Parkwalk Advisors), networks, recruitment and business support. IP Group has a strong track record of success and its portfolio comprises holdings in early-stage to mature businesses across life sciences and technology. IP Group is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the code IPO.

For more information, please visit our website at www.ipgroupplc.com.

About Seventure Partners

Seventure Partners is a long-term equity investor who actively supports innovative companies aiming at generating positive impacts on Humankind, Society, Sustainability and the Planet.

With €900 million net commitments under management as of the end of 2021, Seventure is a leading venture capital firm in Europe investing since 1997 in innovative businesses with high growth potential in two main fields: Life sciences (Health & digital Health, Nutrition, Foodtech, Blue Economy, Aquaculture, Animal & Agriculture, Sport & Wellness with a specific interest for MICROBIOME-related innovations …) across Europe, Israel, Asia and North America and Digital technologies in Europe.

Investments can range between €500,000 and €10 million per round, or up to €20 million per company, from early to late stage, growth, pre-IPO and IPO.

With Health for Life Capital™ funds (160ME and 250ME) and its co-investments funds, Seventure is worldwide leader in microbiome investments with more than 20 microbiome companies in portfolio to date.

For more details: http://www.seventure.fr/en Twitter: @seventurep

About Tencent

Tencent uses technology to enrich the lives of Internet users.

Our communication and social services, Weixin and QQ, connect users with each other and with digital content and services, both online and offline, making their lives more convenient. Our targeted advertising service helps advertisers reach out to hundreds of millions of consumers in China. Our FinTech and business services support our partners’ business growth and assist their digital upgrade.

Tencent invests heavily in talent and technological innovation, actively promoting the development of the Internet industry. Tencent was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 1998. Shares of Tencent (00700.HK) are listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

Microbiotica’s Live Bacterial Therapeutic, MB097, in development to begin clinical trials in 2022 in immuno-oncology

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  • MB097 is a consortium of bacteria at the core of the microbiome signature predictive of patient response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor therapy
  • Data show potent anti-tumour efficacy in vivo and in vitro
  • MB097 is in manufacturing process development for Ph1b study expected to start next year
  • MB097 is the first microbiome precision medicine in immuno-oncology, clinically designed in the same patient cohort in which it will be tested

 Cambridge, UK, 23 June 2021 – Microbiotica, a leading player in microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, today announces that MB097 is now in pre-clinical development for treatment of patients not responding to anti-PD1 therapy. Clinical trials are due to begin in 2022. MB097 is clinically designed and experimentally validated.

Studies have shown that the gut microbiome plays a critical and causative role in determining which cancer patients respond to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) therapy. However clinical translation of this ground-breaking discovery has been hampered by large inconsistencies between studies in the intestinal bacteria associated with anti-PD1 efficacy. The Microbiotica platform is unrivalled in the comprehensiveness and precision by which it can profile the microbiome of patients. It has enabled the Company to identify the first microbiome signature predictive of response to ICI therapy across four independent melanoma studies, by analysing MELRESIST, a melanoma study conducted in collaboration with Cambridge University Hospitals. This microbiome signature is a highly predictive clinical biomarker in advanced melanoma and is also predictive in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The bacteria most significantly linked to outcome are all elevated in patients that respond to anti-PD1 based therapy, suggesting that gut microbes drive ICI efficacy by enhancing the anti-tumour immune response. MB097 is a Live Bacterial Therapeutic (LBT) comprising nine key species from the signature, and is being developed as a co-therapy with ICI in advanced melanoma and NSCLC. MB097 has shown potent anti-tumour efficacy in a mouse syngeneic tumour model. The bacteria also demonstrate multiple immuno-stimulatory mechanisms in primary human immune cell assays, leading to Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte activation and tumour cell killing in vitro.

Clinical testing of MB097, in combination with anti-PD1, will begin in 2022 with a Phase 1b study conducted in the same melanoma patient population that the microbiome signature was derived from. This is precision medicine enabled by the precise microbiome profiling of Microbiotica’s platform.

ICIs have transformed oncology, having increased the range of cancers that can be treated as well as improving levels of efficacy, including complete remission in some cases. However, response rates tend to be low, typically in the range 10%-40% of patients. Consequently, there is a major unmet need for co-therapies to increase the number of responders and for biomarkers to stratify patients for treatment.

Mike Romanos, Co-founder and CEO, Microbiotica, said:

“Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors have had a major impact on the lives of many cancer patients, however fewer than half respond to this type of immunotherapy. This has driven us to design a microbiome therapeutic to improve patient response rate. Through our MELRESIST study data and our platform, we have been able to identify a consistent bacterial signature predictive of drug response in advanced melanoma and NSCLC.

“The Live Bacterial Therapeutic, MB097, arising from this signature, aims to tap into this predictive signature of ICI therapy response. Preclinical in vivo data and mechanistic in vitro human cell data generated thus far have been hugely encouraging. Coupled with our ongoing collaboration with Cancer Research UK and Cambridge University Hospitals, our IO program is now a significant focus for the Company going forward. The aim is for us to enter the clinic in 2022 with this programme.”

Microbiotica’s platform comprises the world’s leading Reference Genome Database and Culture Collection of gut bacteria, and an unrivalled capability to culture and characterise all gut bacteria from patients at scale. This is complemented by a suite of bioinformatic and machine learning tools that enable the identification of previously undetectable gut bacterial signatures linked to patient phenotype.

-ENDS-

Contact:

Microbiotica:
Ro Gardner
T: +44 1223 869302 / M: +44 7801 480569
E: rgardner@microbiotica.com

Microbiotica (Media relations):
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Agnes Stephens / Phil Marriage / Nathan Billis
T: +44 20 7457 2020
E : microbiotica@instinctif.com

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Microbiotica

 

Microbiotica is a leading player in the field of microbiome-based therapeutics, biomarkers and targets. The Company is building a growing pipeline of best-in-class differentiated products based on high quality clinical datasets and unique bacterial signatures that drive biology, identified by its proprietary platform.

Consisting of a world leading microbiome Reference Genome Database, Culture Collection, mass culturing technology (Personalised Bacterial Bank) and proprietary bioinformatic tools, Microbiotica’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. The Company has used this capability to build a pipeline of highly differentiated clinically-derived products including Live Bacterial Therapeutics and Biomarkers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Immuno-oncology and Gut Epithelial Barrier Repair. Microbiotica has clinical and research collaborations with Cancer Research UK, Cambridge University Hospitals, Genentech/Roche and the University of Adelaide.

Spun out of the Sanger Institute in 2016 by Dr Mike Romanos, Dr Trevor Lawley and Professor Gordon Dougan, the Company is based at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK. Microbiotica’s investor syndicate includes Cambridge Innovation Capital, IP Group plc and Seventure Partners.

For more information, please visit www.microbiotica.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Microbiome Movement Exclusive Interview with Mike Romanos

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Read an exclusive interview with Microbiotica CEO Mike Romanos published by Microbiome Movement here.

The interview covers the exciting developments in the microbiome space, Microbiotica’s progress over the past year, and a forward look at the Company’s aims in the next 12 months.

 

 

Microbiotica Highly Commended at Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards

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Cambridge, UK, 30 April 2021 – Microbiotica, a leading player in microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, has been highly commended in the “Life Science Company of the Year” category at the 4th Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards.

The Company was recognised for its transformational technology and significant progress over the past year. Recent achievements include a key new strategic collaboration with Cancer Research UK and Cambridge University Hospitals, progressing lead programmes in ulcerative colitis and immuno-oncology towards the clinic, and moving into purpose-configured facilities at Chesterford Research Park.

Mike Romanos, CEO of Microbiotica, said: “We are proud to be recognised for the milestones we have achieved this past year. Despite challenging conditions, we have progressed our ongoing programmes, expanded and strengthened our team, signed a key strategic collaboration, and moved to our new facility in Chesterford Research Park, so we can now house all our scientists in the same building for the first time. I would like to congratulate all the winners and highly commended entries and thank the entire Microbiotica team for their continued efforts.”

The Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards recognise outstanding life science and biotechnology companies in Cambridge. The ceremony took place virtually in a bespoke interactive environment, and was attended by leaders of businesses, organisations and research institutes across the Cambridge region on April 15, 2021.

-ENDS-

Contact:

Microbiotica:
Ro Gardner
T: +44 1223 786063 / M: +44 7801 480569
E: rgardner@microbiotica.com

Microbiotica (Media relations):
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Agnes Stephens / Phil Marriage / Nathan Billis
T: +44 20 7457 2020
E : microbiotica@instinctif.com

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Microbiotica

Microbiotica is a leading player in the field of microbiome-based therapeutics, biomarkers and targets. The Company is building a growing pipeline of best-in-class differentiated products based on high quality clinical datasets and unique bacterial signatures that drive biology, identified by its proprietary platform.

Consisting of the world’s leading microbiome Reference Genome Database, Culture Collection, mass culturing technology (Personalised Bacterial Bank) and proprietary AI tools, Microbiotica’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. The Company’s current therapeutic areas of focus are immuno-oncology and IBD, and it has established major clinical and academic partnerships, including a $534m collaboration with Genentech.

Spun out of the Sanger Institute in 2016 by Dr Mike Romanos, Dr Trevor Lawley and Professor Gordon Dougan, the Company is based at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK. Microbiotica’s investor syndicate includes Cambridge Innovation Capital, IP Group plc and Seventure Partners.

For more information, please visit www.microbiotica.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Microbiotica Moves Into New Building at Chesterford Research Park

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All staff under one roof, at state-of-the-art office and laboratory space

Cambridge, UK, 19 April 2021 – Microbiotica, a leading player in microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, today announces it has finalised its move to purpose-configured facilities at Chesterford Research Park, to accommodate its long-term growth requirements.

The Company’s operations were previously split between the Sulston Building and the BioData Innovation Centre at the Wellcome Genome Campus, before expansion into additional space within Chesterford Research Park’s Science Village in November 2019. Microbiotica’s move into the purpose-configured building brings the entire team under one roof in state-of-the-art office and laboratory space.

The move follows another year of significant progress for Microbiotica in using its world-leading platform to explore the microbiome as a new class of medicine. Most recently, Microbiotica entered a landmark collaboration in immuno-oncology with Cancer Research UK and Cambridge University Hospitals to develop microbiome co-therapeutics and biomarkers for cancer patients receiving checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In addition, the Company has existing programs in IBD and immuno-oncology, and major partnerships with the University of Adelaide and Genentech.

Dr Mike Romanos, CEO of Microbiotica, said:

 “We are delighted to have moved into our new building at Chesterford Research Park, Cambridge. Although some of our team are currently temporarily working at home because of pandemic-related restrictions, this move means that our whole team will soon be working under one roof for the first time. The larger, state-of-the-art facilities will allow us maintain the momentum we have achieved over the past few years and provide us with a strong foundation for the Company’s next stage of development, as we take our exciting Immuno-oncology and IBD products, derived from clinical data, into the clinic.”

“I would like to thank the whole team for all their hard work during this move and for making the transition as seamless as possible, particularly during these challenging times. I’m looking forward to us all being together in the Company’s new home in the near future.”

Microbiotica Appoints Hans Schikan as Independent Non-Executive Chairman

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Cambridge, UK, 24 February 2021 – Microbiotica, a leading player in microbiome-based therapeutics and biomarkers, announces the appointment of Hans Schikan as Non-Executive Chairman, effective immediately.

Hans brings decades of commercial, development, transactional and leadership experience from the biopharma industry. He is a well-established biopharma leader, having held many board memberships on both private and publicly listed companies throughout his career, and currently serves on the boards of Pharvaris NV, VectivBio AG, Vicore Pharma AB, Complix NV, InteRNA Technologies BV and the Dutch Top Sector Life Sciences and Health.

Between 2009 and 2015, Hans served as the Chief Executive Officer of Prosensa, a biopharmaceutical company in the rare disease space. There, he and his team struck a key partnership with GlaxoSmithKline targeting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and led Prosensa’s $90 million IPO on NASDAQ, before successfully completing the Company’s acquisition by BioMarin for up to $840 million. Prior to his time at Prosensa, Hans served as Vice President Global Marketing and Strategic Development at Genzyme.

Hans will replace Sam Williams, who has served as Interim Chairman for the last ten months, and will continue as a Non-Executive Director representing IP Group plc.

Hans Schikan, non-Executive Chairman of Microbiotica, said: “Microbiome research is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting areas of biomedicine and one that I believe presents great potential for a wide range of therapeutic fields. Microbiotica’s world-leading platform, ongoing collaborations and internal pipeline, especially in the immuno-oncology space, positions the Company well for future growth in this sector. I believe my experience can support the Company on its growth trajectory, and I look forward to working with the Board to help Microbiotica bring new therapies to patients.”

Mike Romanos, CEO of Microbiotica, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hans as Chairman of the Board of Directors. This has been a year of significant progress for the Company, with a newly strengthened management team, a new Company site in Cambridge and progression into development of our cutting-edge immuno-oncology programme with Cancer Research UK and Cambridge University Hospitals that has yielded exceptional preclinical data. Hans’ experience in developing innovative companies internationally will be invaluable in supporting our strategic growth, and we greatly look forward to working with him.”

-ENDS-

Contact:

Microbiotica:
Ro Gardner
T: +44 1223 786063 / M: +44 7801 480569
E: rgardner@microbiotica.com

Microbiotica (Media relations):
Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Phil Marriage / Nathan Billis
T: +44 20 7457 2020
E : microbiotica@instinctif.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Microbiotica
Microbiotica is a leading player in the field of microbiome-based therapeutics, biomarkers and targets. The Company is building a growing pipeline of best-in-class differentiated products based on high quality clinical datasets and unique bacterial signatures that drive biology, identified by its proprietary platform.

Consisting of the world’s leading microbiome Reference Genome Database, Culture Collection, mass culturing technology (Personalised Bacterial Bank) and proprietary AI tools, Microbiotica’s platform enables unrivalled strain-level microbiome analysis linked to patient phenotypes. The Company’s current therapeutic areas of focus are immuno-oncology and IBD, and it has established major clinical and academic partnerships, including a $534 million collaboration with Genentech.

Spun out of the Sanger Institute in 2016 by Dr Mike Romanos, Dr Trevor Lawley and Professor Gordon Dougan, the Company is based at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK. Microbiotica’s investor syndicate includes Cambridge Innovation Capital, IP Group plc and Seventure Partners.

For more information, please visit www.microbiotica.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.