VIB spin-off MRM Health receives approval for phase 2 clinical trial in pouchitis

VIB spin-off MRM Health, founded in 2020, has received approval from the Federal Agency for Health and Medicinal Products (FAGG) to start a Phase 2 clinical trial involving their novel therapeutic MH002 for the treatment of pouchitis in ulcerative colitis patients.

In patients with severe ulcerative colitis, a last resort option to alleviate symptoms is to perform a colectomy and to replace the removed parts of the bowel with a surgically reconstructed pouch. This so-called pouch allows patients to function normally without needing a stoma. Unfortunately, up to 50% of patients with a pouch suffer from pouchitis within the first 1 to 2 years after surgery. Disease mechanisms include impaired gut wall barrier function linked to gut microbiome dysbiosis, translocation of microbial products and resulting immune cell activation, leading to chronic inflammation in the gut wall.

MH002 consists of 6 well-characterized commensal strains that are optimized to form a synergistic micro-ecosystem driving differentiated potency, resiliency, and engraftment. Combining rational selection of disease-modifying strains with consortium optimization to ensure live delivery, engraftment, and durability is expected to result in greater efficacy than conventional microbiome therapeutics.

MRM Health’s Phase 2 study in pouchitis is a multi-center, open label trial which will enroll up to 20 acute pouchitis patients. The trial is designed to evaluate safety, mechanistic effects, and efficacy of MH002 on disease activity.


Lies Vanneste

Lies Vanneste

Investor Relations Manager, VIB

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About VIB

VIB is a leading life sciences research institute based in Belgium, renowned for its work in medical sciences, plant biology, microbiology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. VIB's mission is to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, transform it into disruptive biotech innovations and support the growth of the life sciences ecosystem in Flanders (Belgium). VIB is a partnership with Ghent University, Hasselt University, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

VIB drives the translation of research discoveries into innovative products and technologies for patients, consumers and society. It does so by launching new spin-offs, licensing intellectual property to companies, engaging in dynamic partnerships and fostering talent development. VIB has created 39 spin-offs in the healthcare and agrifood sectors, attracting over €1.8 billion in equity investment and has partnered intensely with industry, generating over €350 million in income. VIB’s research has led to dozens of innovative products brought to market for medical, agriculture, and food applications, with many more in development. Seven of its spin-off companies have reached the clinical stage.

Learn more at www.vib.be.

Contact