Celltrion partners with BioMe to advance microbiome-based drug development

Celltrion said Tuesday that it has signed an equity investment agreement with BioMe, a Korean microbiome-based live biotherapeutic product (LBP) developer, to jointly develop new microbiome-targeting drugs. 

This agreement, part of BioMe’s Series A funding round, aims to accelerate the development of BM111, an investigational drug for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The deal includes provisions for sharing rights or profits from the new drug based on future outcomes.

BM111 is a live biotherapeutic product that combines four microbial strains to treat infections by inducing "decolonization," which eliminates antibiotic-resistant bacterial colonies. With multidrug-resistant infections on the rise and few effective treatments available, Celltrion said this collaboration seeks to address unmet medical needs and reduce the risks and high medical costs associated with such infections.

BioMe uses its proprietary CURE platform to develop various drug candidates, including BM111 and BM109 for cardiovascular diseases. Celltrion and BioMe have been working together since June 2023, when they signed a joint research agreement to evaluate BM111's efficacy. BioMe was also selected for the second cohort of Celltrion’s Seoul Biohub-Open Innovation Program this year.

Celltrion plans to leverage strategic investments and collaborations to maximize synergy between the two companies. In addition to joint development, the company will support BioMe’s overall technological advancements and networking efforts, driving innovation and practical outcomes through open innovation initiatives.

Meanwhile, Celltrion is expanding its new drug development efforts across various fields, including bispecific and multispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and microbiomes, through both domestic and international collaborations.