Nestlé Health Science Supports Groundbreaking Microbiome Project
13 Jan 2016 --- Nestlé Health Science has signed an exclusive agreement outside the United States and Canada for Seres Therapeutics’ novel class of microbiome therapeutics (Ecobiotics) in the fields of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI, such as SER-109 and SER 262) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD; such as SER-287 and SER-301). The agreement follows Nestlé Health Science’s initial equity investments in US-based Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB) announced in January and July 2015.
Through this agreement, Nestlé Health Science will support the potential future commercialization of the first ever microbiome therapy expected to be launched worldwide: SER 109 is in Phase 2 trials and targets multiple recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a bacterial infection that can affect the digestive system.
An additional C. diff and two inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pipeline candidates are also part of the collaboration, including SER-287, the innovative microbiome therapeutic currently in Phase 1 clinical development in IBD. Seres’ Ecobiotics are first-in-field therapies, based upon microbial organisms and target the microbiome, the microorganisms that live within the human body. When unhealthy – or dysbiotic – the microbiome is increasingly understood to be causally related to a range of diseases.
Greg Behar, CEO of Nestlé Health Science and Seres Therapeutics Board member, said: “With this strategic move we demonstrate our intent to be a leader in bringing breakthrough healthcare approaches to market that transform patient outcomes and create value in healthcare system around the world. We are partnering with Seres, a clear leader in advancing their pipeline in the fast evolving microbiome field. We bring our worldwide footprint and capabilities in managing acute care and gastrointestinal (GI) related conditions through our diagnostics, nutritional solutions and innovative pipeline. Moreover, we bring our strong relationships with key opinion leaders, healthcare professionals and patient organizations as well as our experience in clinical development, regulatory and market access in IBD. Together with Seres Therapeutics, we will focus on successfully bringing this pipeline to patients and create innovative therapeutic approaches.”
Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D. President, CEO and Chairman of Seres Therapeutics, said, ”We are at the forefront of the fast evolving microbiome science and in Nestlé Health Science we have a strategic partner that can help fulfill the potential of Ecobiotics to transform the treatment paradigm, worldwide, in a number of growing, difficult and expensive to treat conditions.”
In the CDI field, SER-109 for recurring C. diff in adults (in Phase 2) has received Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug Status designation from the US FDA. SER-262, a follow-on compound is expected to enter clinical trials for the indication of primary C. diff, a less severe and more prevalent condition, is also included in the agreement.
C. diff infections are most prevalent among adults 65 years and older and immune compromised patients who have been treated with broad spectrum antibiotics for the underlying infections. In Europe, the number of reported treated cases in 2015 was 308,000 patients and is expected to grow to 344’000 by 2025. CDI may contribute to 40% of deaths during the three months after diagnosis and is a significant Public Health issue.1
In the IBD field, SER-287 for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) has entered Phase 1b clinical trials as announced by Seres in December 2015. Also included in the pipeline is SER-301, currently in pre-clinical development stage for ulcerative colitis and other chronic gastrointestinal disorders. There is growing evidence suggesting that UC is marked by an imbalance of bacteria (dysbiosis) in the gut, and that treating that dysbiosis may lead to a meaningful clinical impact. An estimated 2.5–3 million people in Europe are affected by IBD, with a direct healthcare cost of 4.6–5.6 bn Euros per year.2
Under the terms of the agreement, Nestlé Health Science will make an upfront payment of USD 120 million. Seres Therapeutics will be eligible to receive development and approval milestone payments totalling up to USD 660 million, and tiered single to double-digit royalties. The full potential value of the up-front payment, milestones and royalties payable by Nestlé Health Science is over USD 1.9 billion, assuming all products receive regulatory approval and significant revenue targets are met.
Seres Therapeutics will be responsible for all development costs associated with Phase 1 and Phase 2 for all four candidates as well as for Phase 3 for SER-109. Nestlé Health Science will participate with 33% in the development costs associated with Phase 3 for three candidates (SER-262; SER-287, SER-301).
