Kefir’s probiotics: Researchers to commercialize anti-cytokine storm drug candidate

12 Apr 2021 --- Israeli researchers based at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) have created a new company to develop and commercialize drug candidates based on molecules isolated from probiotic kefir yogurt.

This follows an investigation finding that they may help combat pathogenic bacteria and treat various inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cytokine storms related to COVID-19.

“The healthy properties of probiotics in yogurt have been widely recognized, but our BGU researchers have shown how they actually have the potential to be highly effective drugs,” says Doug Seserman, chief executive officer, American Associates, BGU. Prof. Raz Jelinek (left) and PhD student Orit Malka with their probiotic yogurt in a BGU lab (Credit: Dani Machlis).

Opportunity for probiotic products
The new company is formed through BGN Technologies, a technology transfer company. To date, it has established over 100 startup companies in the fields of biotech, hi-tech and cleantech.

“The dramatic anti-inflammatory activities of the molecules may open new avenues for therapeutics and scientifically proven probiotic food products,” predicts Josh Peleg, CEO of BGN Technologies. 

“Years of breakthrough research have now reached a validation point that led to the establishment of a biopharma company for the further development and clinical evaluation of this technology that can potentially revolutionize the treatment of bacterial infections as well as inflammatory conditions,” he explains.

Balancing immunity
The researchers demonstrated that the kefir-secreted molecules were able to significantly reduce the virulence of Vibrio cholerae – which causes cholera. The anti-bacterial effect was based on disrupting communication among the bacterial cells, which is a promising approach against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In a follow-up study, the scientists observed that the isolated molecules had dramatic anti-inflammatory properties in various pathological conditions and disease models.

Notably, the molecules effectively healed mice inflicted with a lethal “cytokine storm” – the extreme immune response behind many COVID-19 deaths. 

The molecules not only eliminated the cytokine storm but also restored balance to the immune system, which the researchers peg as an “extraordinary feat pointing to significant therapeutic potential.”

This is not the first time that probiotics have been explored as a way to fight cytokine storms. In September, bifidobacteria was in the spotlight after a geneticist flagged its surface protein could block or bind some types of cytokines.

Meanwhile, NPD has also attempted to address this issue. Last month, 24 Hour Supplement launched a zinc and turmeric offering touted as calming the cytokine storm. 

Additionally, Anagenix developed fruit-based formulations to support immune systems, which face “increased risks of inappropriate inflammation and cytokine storms associated with viral infections.”Kefir is made by infusing cow or goat milk with kefir grains containing yeast and lactic acid bacteria.

A new path
Peleg argues that in a world where antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming an imminent threat, the novel molecules pave a completely new path for fighting bacterial infections by disrupting cell-cell communications in pathogenic bacteria.

“These results are notable since this is the first demonstration that virulence of human pathogenic bacteria can be mitigated by molecules secreted in probiotic milk products, such as yogurt or kefir,” adds Raz Jelinek, BGU vice president and dean for research and development.

He explains how the research illuminates the mechanism by which milk-fermented probiotics can protect against pathogenic infections and aid the immune system.

“Following promising results in animal models, we look forward to administering these drug candidates to patients who are experiencing a cytokine storm due to COVID-19 infection, or people suffering from acute inflammatory bowel pathologies, such as Crohn’s disease,” he envisions. 

Last year, Tesco reported that sales of kefir were skyrocketing as consumers sought out gut-friendly foods. The fermented probiotic dairy drink is made by infusing cow or goat milk with kefir grains containing yeast and lactic acid bacteria.

Edited by Katherine Durrell