Enterologics aims to produce Rx biotherapeutics for GI diseases

USA-based biotech firm Enterologics (OTCBB: ELGO.OB), which is focussed on the development of live biotherapeutic products for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, says that it believes these are poorly addressed by current therapies. Key examples include pouchitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and Clostridium difficile infections.

As a result, Enterologics intends to license or acquire technology to build a product pipeline based on producing probiotic bacteria in novel, shelf-stable, high potency formulations that are delivered orally. Unlike probiotic bacteria that are sold over-the-counter as dietary supplements or in food products such as yogurt, the company intends to develop products to meet the exacting standards necessary to gain Food and Drug Administration approval as prescription drugs and biologics, with demonstrated safety and clinical benefits for specific GI indications.

Bob Hoerr, co-founder and president, stated. "We recently announced that the company has optioned and has the right of first refusal to enter into a license agreement with Universal Stabilization Technologies… for a unique preservation/stabilization bacterial vitrification process. We believe UST's breakthrough approach will prove superior to conventional freeze-drying techniques and can be applied to a wide variety of bacterial strains, rendering them in a state of ‘suspended animation’ and extending viability throughout a long shelf life, with demonstrated potency at the time they are administered. Over-the-counter probiotic products provide little assurance that they are delivering live, functional bacteria, leading to uncertainty on the part of the consumer and physician about product potency.”