Reprogramming the microbiome: Anatara Lifesciences targets the human health space with dual targeted formulation

21-Oct-2019 - Last updated on 23-Oct-2019 at 04:52 GMT

Australian firm Anatara Lifesciences has developed GaRP, a dietary supplement that seeks to address gut problems by reprogramming the microbiome. ©Getty Images

Australian firm Anatara Lifesciences has developed a supplement that seeks to address gut problems by reprogramming the microbiome.

The firm is traditionally in the animal health business, but is now focusing on human health on the back of a growing gastrointestinal health market.

Named as Gastrointestinal ReProgramming (GaRP), it is a dual-targeted formulation, targeting both the small intestine and colon.

With bromelain – an enzyme extracted from pineapple stem – as one of the active ingredients, the formulation aims to restore homeostasis of the gut microbiome, treat inflammation, protect and regenerate the mucosa.

In turn, this would reduce the incidence of diarrhoea caused by IBS and IBD, CEO Steven Lydeamore told NutraIngredients-Asia.

“The current treatment approach to IBD is to supress the inflammation with the goal of inducing and maintaining remission, while in the case of IBS, gastroenterologists primarily treat the symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and alternating constipation and diarrhea. These therapeutic approaches have high treatment failure rates.

“Consequently, there is a significant unmet medical need for products that can re-establish the homeostasis of the microbiome, treat the inflammation, and repair the mucosal damage which will in turn have the downstream effect of reducing disease associated diarrhea.”

The firm has currently applied a patent for the formulation and plans to start commercialisation discussion next year.

Clinical studies

The firm expects to start a human clinical study involving the GaRP dietary supplement in the later part of this year.

It is presently conducting animal studies using an IBD model.

Its in-vitro studies have showed that the formulation can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory proteins by gut and inflammatory cells by more than 85%.

The attachment and invasion of IBD and IBS pro-inflammatory bacteria into healthy gut cells can also be reduced by more than 95% with GaRP.

“Anatara plans to consult its Product Development Advisory Board to finalise the human clinical study design taking into consideration our pre-clinical in vitro data and pre-clinical in vivo animal data,” said Lydeamore.

Commercialisation plans

The firm plans to sell GaRP globally through marketing partners. This will include channels where OTC medicines and dietary supplements are sold.

To do so, it plans to initiate contact with potential partners after completing the animal studies late this year.

“Potential partners will have a leading presence in international markets in channels where OTC and dietary supplements may be distributed and an interest in gut and digestive health. These may be leading global or regional consumer health companies,” Lydeamore said.

Moving forward, he said the firm would continue to search and evaluate potential product development, product licensing and product acquisition opportunities in the gut and digestive health space.