Ferring shows further interest in microbiome with PharmaBiome deal

Privately-held Swiss drugmaker Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Zürich-based microbiome translation company PharmaBiome have announced a research and development collaboration to drive forward new microbiome-based biotherapeutics in the field of gastroenterology.

Ferring is one of the leaders in the microbiome space, having won the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a fecal microbiota product in the shape of Rebyota (fecal microbiota, live-jslm) last year.

"This agreement is the latest in Ferring’s long-term mission to maximize the therapeutic potential of the gut microbiome for the benefit of patients"This deal - financial details of which are undisclosed - provides Ferring with exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize next generation microbiome-based therapeutics within the field of gastroenterology arising out of the collaboration. The collaboration will start with research into ulcerative colitis.