Columbia Technology Ventures

Engineered probiotic for treating inflammatory conditions

This technology is an engineered probiotic therapeutic that can be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other inflammatory diseases by reducing severe inflammatory response and restoring gut barrier function.

Unmet Need: Therapeutic that can reduce inflammatory response and catalyze tissue regeneration

Current methods for managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include systemic medications and dietary changes that attempt to control symptoms. Treatments that target specific underlying mechanisms of IBD, such as uncontrolled gut inflammation and barrier permeability, are limited. While fiber supplementation can help improve gut barrier function, its use is often limited by adverse side effects like abdominal pain and constipation. There is, thus, a need for more effective treatment options for IBD and other inflammatory diseases.

The Technology: Probiotic treatment that alleviates inflammation and supports tissue regeneration

This treatment is an engineered probiotic-based therapeutic that reduces severe inflammatory response and restores gut barrier function. The probiotic secretes a bioactive peptide that stimulates tissue repair and regeneration in the gut, protecting against severe inflammation. The probiotic carrier is a strain of E. coli that is safe for humans and is also widely used as a probiotic treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms alone. This technology can be applied to the treatment of IBD and other inflammatory diseases as well as other medical and cosmetic conditions benefiting from tissue repair, regeneration, and cellular barrier maintenance.

This technology has been validated in mouse models.

Applications:

  • Therapeutic for inflammatory conditions, gut barrier dysfunction, wound healing and tissue regeneration, and cancers
  • Protection against inflammation, neurodegeneration, and radiation injuries
  • Regulation of circadian rhythm and thermogenesis
  • Probiotic for improved gut health
  • Skin barrier regeneration for cosmetic and medical applications
  • Modulation of bowel movements
  • Research tool for studying tissue integrity

Advantages:

  • Utilizes a targeted delivery system for secreting active therapeutic in the gut
  • Probiotic carrier is safe and has concurrent therapeutic benefits
  • Preventative of downstream pathologies
  • Wide therapeutic range
  • Customizable for specific disease applications

Lead Inventor:

Harris Wang, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

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