Infant Bacterial Therapeutics harnesses the microbiome to treat preterm babies

By harvesting Lactobacillus reuteri from lactating mothers, Infant Bacterial Therapeutics has developed an approach to treat necrotizing enterocolitis, a major killer of premature babies. Company CEO and founder Dr. Staffan Strömberg explains to Scrip’s Mike Ward how the company is completing a 120-patient Phase II study of IBP-9414, a drug containing pharmaceutical-grade live bacteria, and is looking for potential investors and partners to pursue a 2,000-patient Phase III trial. The underpinning technology was first developed by BioGaia. In 2016, Dr Strömberg acquired—in return for shares—a non-revocable, royalty-free worldwide license and USD 9 million from BioGaia. In a public offering the company raised an additional EUR 11 million which will enable the company to complete the Phase II studies. New funds will be raised to finance Phase III studies which are slated to start in 2018 and complete within two years.

Interviewer: Mike Ward – Global Director of Content, Informa Pharma Insights
Interviewee: Staffan Strömberg – CEO, Infant Bacterial Therapeutics