Nestlé Health Science to buy global rights of microbiota-based therapeutic

10 Jun 2024 --- Nestlé Health Science will acquire certain tangible and intangible assets associated with VOWST — fecal microbiota spores, live-brpk (a novel protein kinase) — capsules from Seres Therapeutics. The companies have agreed to a non-binding memorandum of understanding.

VOWST is the first and only orally administered microbiota-based therapeutic approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent the recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in adults following antibacterial treatment for recurrent CDI. 

The bacteria causes diarrhea and colitis and can be life-threatening. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most cases occur when people take antibiotics for another disease. 

Complete control of global rights
Since the product’s launch in June 2023 in the US, Nestlé Health Science has been the lead commercialization party. Once completed, the transaction will allow Nestlé Health Science full control over the further development, commercialization and manufacturing of VOWST in the US and globally. 

“VOWST has been extremely successful since we first made it available to patients in June of last year,” says Moreno Perugini, president, medical nutrition and pharma at Nestlé Health Science.  

“We have had a productive collaboration with Seres during the development and FDA approval of VOWST, and we are pleased to continue to provide this important medication to patients.”

The transaction of global rights is subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements, approval by Seres Therapeutics’ shareholders and other customary conditions.

Gastrointestinal infection 
Recurrent CDI is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the C. difficile bacteria. It is linked to the dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal microbiome and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. 

The CDC have characterized CDI as an urgent health threat, resulting in a substantial burden on the healthcare system. 

The microbiome treatment is not indicated for treating CDI; it is only indicated to prevent its recurrence after antibacterial treatment. 

“VOWST fits within our expertise and fills a significant unmet need in the market; we are confident that sales will continue to grow and that many more patients will benefit from it,” comments Perugini. 

“With the Nestlé Health Science portfolio focused on nutritional science, our pharma business specializes in medical conditions specifically related to gastrointestinal disorders.” 

Gut health solutions 
In addition to gastrointestinal infections, increased levels of C. difficile in the gut have also been linked to atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease that manifests through redness, swelling and itchy rashes. 

Seventure Partner expects more positive clinical outcomes in additional indications to the bacteria in 2024, highlighting that three products are already approved. The equity investor published a report summarizing 2023 research advances in the human microbiome worldwide earlier this year. The equity investor’s CEO and the report’s author told Nutrition Insight: “Companies developing Fecal Microbiome Transplant-related products have achieved the earliest commercial success in treating recurrent C. difficile infections.”

In other research achievements, China Medical University Hospital has developed a microflora analyzer that can test ten of the most common intestinal pathogens and probiotics, such as C. difficile. The researchers note that this bacteria has a 1–5% prevalence in the population and affects up to 20% of hospitalized patients. It is a primary cause of acute or persistent diarrhea. 

By Jolanda van Hal