News

Chr. Hansen to collaborate on Human Microbiome

18 Jan 2016

Chr. Hansen is to enter its first collaboration on the production of a next generation probiotic from the Human Microbiome, working with Caelus Health to develop Eubacterium hallii as a next generation probiotic.

Chr. Hansen is to enter its first collaboration on the production of a next generation probiotic from the Human Microbiome.

Bacteria that live in and on our bodies outnumber the number of human cells by 10 to 1, the company notes. There is an increased awareness that these bacteria, called the microbiome, play a crucial role in human health and diseases. Numerous studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of specific bacteria in preventing and treating metabolic, gastrointestinal and other diseases.

In response, Chr. Hansen and Caelus Health have announced their collaboration on the development of Eubacterium hallii as a next generation probiotic for prevention and treatment of metabolic disease.

Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of the intestinal microbiota in insulin resistance. Caelus Health have identified and patented a single species, E. hallii, which through preclinical studies has proven to be capable of reducing insulin resistance, a primary symptom of type 2 diabetes. Caelus’ lead strain, CP-001, is a formulation of E. hallii and is currently in phase I clinical study.

The objective of the collaboration between Chr. Hansen and Caelus Health is to develop a CP-001 product formulation that will allow for progression to a phase II clinical trial and a subsequent market introduction. As part of this collaboration, Chr. Hansen will develop a production process and pilot material for clinical trials which Caelus Health will run to explore the use of Eubacterium hallii for prevention and treatment of metabolic disease

“Chr. Hansen has unparalleled expertise in fermentation and food and pharma grade production of bacteria,” said Johan van Hylckama Vlieg, Senior Director, Microbiome, Chr. Hansen. “The collaboration with Caelus is in full alignment with our strategy to become the partner of choice for companies wanting to develop new generations of probiotic products and therapeutic microbes. The agreement with Caelus is an important milestone as the first of several projects within the Human Microbiome space for Chr. Hansen”

“We are very pleased to announce this cooperation and are confident that Chr. Hansen has all the expertise and capabilities to develop an advanced formulation of CP-001, which we will further study in upcoming phase 2 clinical studies,” said Luc Sterkman, CEO, Caelus. “This E. hallii based product is the first of a series of Microbiome-based products, which Caelus plans to bring to the market.”