We spoke to Microba whose research into the human gut microbiome has produced a live biotherapeutic product now being tested for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Meet Microba

Microba is a leading edge Brisbane-based microbiome company whose world-renowned metagenomics technology is set to deliver the next generation of precision live biotherapeutic products to more effectively treat IBD as well as chronic diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disease.

The company was founded in 2017 by world-renowned microbiome scientists, Professors Philip Hugenholtz and Gene Tyson from the University of Queensland, who shared a vision to increase understanding of the human gut microbiome and the critical role it plays in human health and disease.

The company is now recognised internationally for delivering excellence to a myriad of national and international partners across its diagnostics, therapeutics and technology platforms and for its research services.

It has 130 employees, including 30 in the United Kingdom, has raised millions from investors since being publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) in 2022, formed a strategic partnership with leading health care provider, Sonic Healthcare, and, last year, became a clinical stage drug development company.

Microbas’s Senior Vice President of Therapeutics, Professor Trent Munro, says that in the seven years since the company was founded, the untapped potential for drug discoveries using the human microbiome had substantially increased.

‘Evidence has accumulated showing a clear link between the gut microbiome in chronic diseases, including inflammatory autoimmune diseases, gut inflammation related disorders and cardiometabolic diseases which includes heart attacks, strokes and diabetes,’ he explained.

‘Six in 10 people now suffer from chronic disease and 4 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases.

‘These numbers are staggering and are linked to lifestyle, diet and a complex range of other factors.’

What is MAP 315?

Professor Munro says Microba’s discovery and development of the novel biotherapeutic product, MAP 315, to better treat ulcerative colitis (IBD) has been a game changer for the company.

‘We have matured into a clinical stage drug development company which is a massive achievement,’ he said.

‘Microba is so proud of what the team has built to bring novel microbiome drugs all the way from human data guided discovery, through to an orally delivered drug product now tested in a human clinical trial.

‘This trial focussed on testing the safety and tolerability of MAP 315 which was deemed successful in order for us to now progress to Stage 2.

‘Microba is very excited about the future potential impact of MAP 315 as a new treatment for IBD sufferers.’

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD?

IBD causes prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract and affects more than 7 million people globally, with this number increasing each year.

Ulcerative colitis is one of the two major forms of IBD, which results in inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract, causing a debilitating chronic condition.

Patients are treated with medication to lessen the impacts of the disease and control symptoms, often with significant side effects.

With the market for ulcerative colitis treatment valued at US$7.5 billion in 2020 and forecast to grow to US$10.8 billion by 2030, Microba’s MAP 315 presents an opportunity to improve the current standard of care and treatment for millions of people around the world.

How will MAP 315 assist IBD sufferers?

Professor Munro says MAP 315 was developed through Microba’s Therapeutic Platform to initially target sufferers with mild and moderate symptoms of the disease.

‘It was identified using Microba’s unique analysis of its large proprietary human databank, demonstrating that this previously uncharacterised and novel bacterial species is commonly observed in healthy individuals but consistently deficient in individuals with IBD,’ he said.

‘Subsequent pre-clinical investigation of MAP 315 demonstrated that it promotes biological activities that are critical for sustained disease remission but which are not adequately addressed through existing therapy.’

What is next for Microba?

The company’s IBD therapeutic program is one of three programs which also includes immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases.

Researchers are continuing to develop the next generation of cancer therapies using microbiome and metagenomics sequencing technology.

The research team, which is located the Translational Research Institute is also looking at developing microbiome solutions for chronic diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, Lupus and those affecting the liver.

How does the state government assist biomedical companies?

The department’s  Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan and the Queensland new-industry development strategy both set out how the government will help to grow and support the sector, including innovative biomedical enterprises like Microba.

The Queensland Government will continue to provide support for the state’s biomedical sector, its research institutions and talented researchers whose innovative delivery solutions all have the potential to change the world for the better.

You can learn more about the Queensland Government’s support for our biomedical industry