CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seres Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCRB), a leading microbiome therapeutics platform company, today announced a collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) of the Harvard Medical School to support translational research focused on identifying microbiome therapeutics for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Under the terms of the agreement, Seres will help fund a placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept clinical study initiated by professors Elaine Yu, M.D., and Elizabeth Hohmann, M.D., of MGH. The study will evaluate the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) derived from lean individuals on the body weight and glycemic control of adults suffering from clinically-significant obesity and metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. As part of the collaboration, Seres will analyze patient samples to determine metagenomic signatures, metabolic markers and other key clinical biomarkers that are expected to inform the design of microbiome therapeutics for treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disease.
Previous clinical and preclinical evidence supporting this research indicated that the gut microbiota has a critical role in regulating human metabolism and weight control, via effects on caloric availability, chronic inflammation and the production of hormone-like small molecules1-3.
“Drs. Yu and Hohmann are conducting groundbreaking research to elucidate the impact of gut bacteria on body weight and other metabolic parameters,” said David Cook, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer of Seres. “While FMT is not a practical long-term clinical solution, FMT studies do provide important insights about the role of the microbiome in human health. We believe that this research will provide critical insights to support the development of new microbiome therapeutics for obesity.”
“Better treatment options are desperately needed to address obesity, and microbiome-based drugs are promising new approaches,” said Dr. Hohmann. “In entering into this agreement with Seres, a leader in the development of microbiome therapeutics, we aim to advance our understanding of the role of the microbiome in obesity and related metabolic disorders and accelerate the development of meaningful new treatments for patients.”
About Seres Therapeutics
Seres Therapeutics, Inc. is a leading microbiome therapeutics platform company developing a novel class of biological drugs that are designed to treat disease by restoring the function of a dysbiotic microbiome, where the natural state of bacterial diversity and function is imbalanced. Seres’ most advanced program, SER-109, has successfully completed a Phase 1b/2 study demonstrating a clinical benefit in patients with recurring Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in recurring CDI. The FDA has granted SER-109 Orphan Drug, as well as Breakthrough Therapy, designations. Seres’ second clinical candidate, SER-287, is being evaluated in a Phase 1b study in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). For more information, please visit www.serestherapeutics.com. Follow us on Twitter @SeresTx.
