Mar 3, 2023 8:30:00 AM
Human Intestinal Microbiome Therapies and Diagnostics
The Science, Opportunities and Challenges
A new report was published this week by the Innovate UK KTN Microbiome Innovation Network (‘KTN MIN’) entitled: Human Intestinal Microbiome Therapies and Diagnostics: The Science, Opportunities and Challenges. It lists several Eagle Genomics team members as co-authors, with Eagle Genomics having played an active role in the KTN MIN since its launch in 2019.
The human microbiome is a new frontier in health and well-being and is poised to revolutionize how we tackle health, wellness and disease using data-driven approaches. The discovery and development of human microbiome therapies and diagnostics build on the UK’s unique life sciences research strengths in clinical research, genomics, and health data capabilities.
Given that the intestinal microbiome influences many aspects of human health and disease, this is an exciting field that holds the promise of addressing several key healthcare challenges. The area spans new treatments for intestinal diseases such as recurrent C. difficile and inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), through to new therapies for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as precision (personalized) medicine approaches.
The Report calls for investment in and further strengthening of the UK’s unique microbiome-dedicated life science infrastructure and capabilities. This could help promote vital R&D to address significant healthcare challenges, while also creating an outstanding environment for microbiome companies to start, grow and invest.
In terms of global microbiome-focused drug development activities, in 2020 alone, more than 640 microbiome-related patents were granted worldwide, and approximately 575 clinical trials were launched. This increased the number of ongoing microbiome clinical trials in that year to approximately 2,000 [1]. Having a deeper understanding of microbiome and host-microbiome interactions could therefore help accelerate discovery and innovation in the field.
Anthony Finbow, CEO, Eagle Genomics, commented: “Eagle Genomics is reinventing life sciences R&D by bridging the ‘translation gap’, addressing critical bottlenecks in the application of microbiome science, including critical areas such as human health. This is especially important in areas of unmet clinical need where the microbiome’s effect is becoming increasingly more prevalent and critical. Our contribution to the current Report is evidence of our deep knowledge of, and commitment to, microbiome science, both in the UK and internationally.”
In February 2022, Eagle Genomics announced its role in The Pistoia Alliance’s new project on the microbiome, which could help speed the advancement of new, precision medicines and treatments. The project – funded by global biopharma companies and Eagle Genomics – aims to incorporate microbiome data into the drug development pipeline.
"The complex interactions of bacteria, their metabolism and drug efficacy is an area of intense investigation", said Dr Sven Sewitz, Director of Biodata Innovation at Eagle Genomics, "and requires a deeply integrated and holistic approach combining metagenomics, host multi-omics, pharmacology, and advanced network science. That is where Eagle Genomics AI-augmented knowledge discovery platform, the e[datascientist]™, is uniquely positioned - to help scientists tackle such challenges.”
In 2021, the KTN MIN published a Strategic Roadmap and a Landscape Map aimed at mapping the landscape of, access to, and investment in microbiome science and innovation in the UK.
Reference
- de Cremoux, E. (2021) ‘The century of the microbiome: an exciting time for human health’. Manufacturing Chemist, [Accessed 2021] https://www.manufacturingchemist.com/news/article_page/The_ century_of_the_microbiome_an_exciting_time_for_human_health/173972