Enterome partners with Johnson & Johnson to discover new Crohn's disease therapies

Enterome Bioscience SA has announced it has partnered with Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company Janssen Biotech, and the French National Institute for Agriculture Research, to seek new targets and bioactive molecules in the gut microbiome for development of potential novel treatments for Crohn’s disease.

“Enterome has already identified bacterial strains, genes and products with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties by combining its own advanced proprietary metagenomics tools and screening technologies,” according to a press release. “The collaboration,” which is facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, “aims to advance the characterization and therapeutic validation of these bacterial products, increase knowledge of the regulation of immunity and gut homeostasis, and potentially lead to the development of new therapeutic solutions for Crohn’s disease.”

According to the agreement terms, Enterome will be able to receive an upfront payment and funding for research and development from Janssen, which will retain an option to receive an exclusive license for further development and commercialization of potential candidates produced from the partnership. The Janssen Human Microbiome Institute will also participate to speed the translation of microbiome science into therapeutics.

The agreement follows preliminary findings by the French National Institute for Agriculture Research that demonstrate some commensal (symbiotic) bacteria produce anti-inflammatory effects in the human gut, according to the press release.

“Enterome is proud of its leading position in discovering and developing microbiome-derived therapeutics for Crohn’s disease, and we look forward to advancing through collaborations that continue to reflect positively on our strong recognition from the pharmaceutical industry,” Pierre Belichard, CEO of Enterome, said in the press release.

Disclosures: Belichard reports he is an employee of Enterome.