Queensland scientists have secured $2.48 million to revolutionise treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). By exploring complex interactions between gut bacteria and immune responses in IBD patients, the research team identified an anti-inflammatory bacterial metabolite and have developed a small molecule drug that is progressing towards clinical trials.
The funding, from the first CUREator+ grant round, will enable startup company Micromune Therapeutics, established by The University of Queensland’s commercialisation company UniQuest, to progress its discovery towards a Phase 1 clinical trial.
Associate Professor Jake Begun, a gastroenterologist from Mater Research, and Professor Rob Capon, a chemist who specialises in studying small molecules from nature at The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Biosciences, formed a collaboration to identify molecules from strains of gut bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties. This collaboration led to the isolation of a compound with potent anti-inflammatory activity which was further developed into a molecule that could effectively treat colitis in pre-clinical models of IBD.
Microbial imbalances are a contributing factor to inflammation in IBD, and the team isolated five strains of healthy gut bacteria, focusing on their ability to suppress inflammation. One strain in particular was found to inhibit the pro-inflammatory protein NF-kB, effectively reducing inflammation without side effects in pre-clinical models. The small molecule NF-kB inhibitor was derived from this research—a breakthrough that could offer a safer and more effective alternative to current immune-suppressing drugs, which only work for about half of IBD patients.
In 2023, Micromune Therapeutics received an initial $500,000 grant from the CUREator biotech incubator and the research team will use the additional CUREator+ funding to generate a clinical candidate with the required safety, efficacy, and manufacturing packages to raise funding to commence Phase 1 clinical studies.
A/Prof Begun said that the CUREator+ investment will enable further testing of Micromune Therapeutics’ lead molecule to progress this promising research through pre-clinical studies and into clinical development.
“This support and investment demonstrates strong external validation and support for translating this basic science breakthrough into a viable therapeutic for IBD,” A/Prof Begun said.
IBD affects more than 100,000 Australians, having a a significant impact on sufferers’ physical and mental health and costing an estimated $2.7 billion annually. With current medications for IBD having variable response rates, there is a significant unmet need to develop cost-effective treatment options with improved efficacy, patient specificity and long-term safety profiles.
About CUREator+
CUREator+, delivered in partnership with Brandon BioCatalyst and ANDHealth, is a national program focused on accelerating the research translation and commercialisation of preclinical and clinical early-stage Australian medical research and medical innovations with commercial potential. The program bridges the early-stage funding gap for researchers and innovators. The first CUREator+ funding round funded eight Australian startups with a combined $18.5 million to develop innovations including drugs (novel and repurposed), devices, diagnostics and digital technologies that address unmet needs and have the potential to save lives and improve wellbeing.
