Early trial for irritable bowel syndrome treatment a success

MANCHESTER-based live biotherapeutics company 4D Pharma has completed a successful first phase of its clinical trial for Blautix – a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The AIM-listed firm said the trial had shown that Blautix is safe and well tolerated, achieving the primary objective of the trial.

The trial, involving 56 healthy volunteers and IBS patients, is providing clinical samples and data which will be used to support our understanding of the mechanism of action of Blautix and the effect of a live biotherapeutic on the microbiome.

 In addition, the samples and data the trial is providing will be used to aid the company’s development of a diagnostic for IBS.
 
4D chief executive Duncan Peyton said: “This is a further step towards taking our pipeline, and live biotherapeutics as a class, to market approval.
 
“We have shown Blautix to be safe and well tolerated, which we have always believed would be a keystone to the field of live biotherapeutics.

“In addition, this trial is providing patient samples that will give the Company a better understanding of what is happening in IBS patients undergoing treatment with Blautix.

“We believe that this will not only help with the design of the next clinical protocol, but also identify patients who will benefit most from treatment with our live biotherapeutic products.”