MicrobiotiX Co., Ltd. (CEO Dong-eun Yong) attended ‘SWITCH 2022 (The Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology 2022)’, the global startup exhibition held in Singapore Resort World Convention Center between October 25th(Tues) and 28th (Fri).
MicrobiotiX has goals to develop bacteriophage-based treatments for multidrug-resistant bacteria treatment, microbiome-based treatments that uses microbiota banking, and treatments for autoimmune diseases and incurable diseases in the future.
As a microbiome research-oriented biotech teachers’ venture company established by professors in the Yonsei University Health System, MicrobiotiX built up a microbiota collection and bacteriophage library for the research of bacteriophage-based multidrug-resistant bacteria treatment and the interaction between intestinal phage and bacteria to develop treatments for various incurable diseases. They have built a globally leading bacteriophage library over 15 years, possess the best technical capabilities in the field of microbiomes, and currently possesses the GMP for global expansion.
Bacteriophages are viruses that use bacteria as host cells and are sometimes simply referred to as phages. As various bacteria exist in the natural ecosystem, this means that bacteriophages also exist in various places. As such, bacteriophages are naturally occurring and exist inside the human body, which means they are harmless to the human body. Bacteriophage are only capable of infecting specific bacteria, which makes them capable of removing antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reducing the amount of anti-biotics patients need to take.
MicrobiotiX makes the expansion of pipelines undergoing clinical trials easy by discovering candidate substances through the analysis of around 1,000 new pathogens every month and discovery of effective phages (analysis of phage vs microbiome through NGS/PCS analysis, building a taxonomy, comparative analysis of health/ patient’s phages) and the establishment of a phage-bacteria cell bank through optimized CMC-based GMP production.
They have so far achieved accomplishments like, owning a target phage library for 4 strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria and gram-negative bacteria (around 300 types of phages), owning Asia’s 2nd microbiota bank, selection for preclinical services by US government agency, Pre B investment attraction (DSC, Schmidt, SUP, Shinhan Capital), selection for the Shinhan S2 Bridge Program, conducting joint research with CJ Bioscience, and constructing a CGMP level facility (CDMO service).
They aim to develop treatments for various incurable diseases through bacteriophage-based gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacteria and intestinal microbiome modulation (treatments for pneumonia, sepsis, bacteremia, inflammatory bowel disease, autism, obesity, diabetes, colorectal cancer, etc.).
MicrobiotiX said that, “New strategies to supplement or replace the existing antimicrobial treatment concept is desperately needed. The NIH in the US recently proposed a new paradigm to overcome antimicrobial resistance and included bacteriophage therapy and synthetic microbiota.” They went on to explain the background of their founding, saying, “The academic foundation of our company, Yonsei University’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance have conducted world-class research on antimicrobial resistance. Numerous discoveries were made for the first time in the world in this environment, and our research team sought innovative methods to overcome antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and finally established a teachers’ venture. ”
They went on to announce their future business plans, saying, “The detailed method we are pursuing is the development of phage therapy. We seek to use them to reset the relationship between humanity and microbial-resistant bacteria. We are currently exploring preclinical and clinical trials for phage treatment through active exchange in Korea and with US research teams.”
Having its 7th iteration this year, ‘SWITCH 2022’ is global startup exhibition hosted by Enterprise Singapore, a public institution under the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry. The 20 Korea startups that are attending ‘SWITCH 2022’ were selected by 2 organizations in KISED and Singapore’s KSC Center (KISED 10, KSC Center 10). Between October 25th to the 28th, the attending startups will be in the main event, where they will take part in programs like operating the K-STARTUP demo booth, K-STARTUP demo day, investors meeting, networking event, and pitching contest.
