LNC acquires exclusive worldwide licence for Christensenella-based mood disorder therapeutic

Published: 17-Apr-2020

Deal strengthens LNC's portfolio of intellectual property and live biotherapeutic products for new applications in areas of high unmet medical need

LNC Therapeutics, a biotech company specialising in the research and development of innovative drugs harnessing the potential of the gut microbiome, has entered into an exclusive licence agreement with the University of Valencia, Spain, for its patent dedicated to the therapeutic applications of Christensenella gut bacteria in mood disorders.

The acquisition of this licence grants LNC Therapeutics the exclusive worldwide research, manufacturing and marketing rights of the therapeutics developed for the treatment of mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety.

This agreement is based on the work of the research team led by Prof. Yolanda Sanz, Professor of Research and Head of the “Microbial Ecology, Nutrition and Health” group at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Spain, as well as the lead investigator of the European MyNewGut project, one of the world’s largest microbiome research initiatives conducted so far.

The unique gut-brain connection: a new treatment approach to mood disorders identified by LNC Therapeutics

The gut has its own neural network, the enteric nervous system, which alone contains more than 500 million neurons and is connected directly to the brain via the vagus nerve.

Research on this bidirectional communication system, known as the gut-brain axis, is a fast-growing field. It is now clear that the gut affects the brain, and numerous studies confirmed the role of the intestinal microbiota on neurodegenerative diseases and mood disorders.

Targeting the gut microbiome offers promising new therapeutic approaches in neurological and mental disorders.

As a keystone of the gut microbiome, the Christensenellaceae family of bacteria promises to be an important source of treatment innovations. It enables exploration of a new avenue of research in the treatment of chronic conditions, such as obesity or metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

In addition, LNC Therapeutics’ focus on the beneficial properties of Christensenellaceae, extended to targeting the gut-brain axis for the treatment of mood disorders, will pave the way for new and promising applications.

The conclusion of this agreement with a leader in the discovery of the gut microbiome’s therapeutic applications such as LNC Therapeutics reinforces our belief about the potential advantages of the bacteria Christensenella in human health.

"The fundamental role played by the gut and its microbiota in the functions of our central nervous system is still a field of research in development, and I am convinced that this new research programme will allow us to quickly identify new therapeutics properties specific to a bacterial strain of Christensenella for mood disorders," said Prof. Yolanda Sanz.

“We are pleased to announce today the acquisition of this new licence that broadens the applications of our Live Biotherapeutic Products to mood disorders, which is an area of high unmet medical needs,” concluded Georges Rawadi, CEO of LNC Therapeutics.

“The gut-brain axis is certainly one of the most innovative area in drug discovery today, and it is an exciting opportunity for LNC Therapeutics to leverage our expertise in preclinical, manufacturing and regulatory activities to develop first in class products in that field."

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