International experts join inaugural IBD Advisory Panel

Biotech News: A precision microbiome science company has appointed three respected key opinion leaders in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) to their IBD Advisory Panel to translate research into clinical outcomes for IBD sufferers.

Joining Australia’s Associate Professor Jake Begun from Mater Health are Professors from Mount Sinai Doctors in the United States, Professor Jean-Frederic Colombel, MD and University of Miami Health System, Professor Maria Teresa Abreu.

The trio will guide the Microba Life Sciences’ therapeutic programs to address major unmet clinical needs associated with IBD treatment.

The three renowned gastroenterology experts will provide insight to Microba’s research team on therapeutic clinical needs, translation of therapeutic candidates into and through the clinic.

The aim being to accelerate patient access to breakthrough new microbiome-based therapies to improve standard of care.

Harvard-trained, Associate Professor Jakob Begun is a world-renowned leader in clinical trials and research, specialising in the delivery of care and effectiveness of current therapies.

He is joined by US-based Professor Jean-Frederic Colombel MD who is an internationally recognised clinician and researcher in IBD, having made multiple ground-breaking discoveries in IBD genetics, risk factors and treatments. 

Professor Maria Teresa Abreu is a globally renowned expert in intestinal inflammation, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Her laboratory focuses on innate immunity, diet, and the role of the microbiome to improve therapies for IBD.

Microba CEO Blake Wills said the new advisory panel was comprised of a group of globally experienced gastroenterologists who would add critical value to the company’s mission of achieving important advancements in medicine.

“These three respected experts form our IBD Advisory Panel and their collective skills will support the development of novel therapies.” CEO, Blake Wills.

“The calibre of Professor Colombel, Professor Abreu and Associate Professor Begun will assist us in developing much-needed novel treatments that will advance the care of patients suffering from the challenging symptoms of IBD.”

Associate Professor Jake Begun will lead the group as one of Australia’s top gastroenterologists, IBD Group Leader at the Mater Research Institute and Chair of the Gastroenterology Society of Australia’s IBD Faculty Executive Committee.

“Inflammatory Bowel Disease, both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a debilitating disease for many people and there remains a critical need for safe and effective therapeutics that will provide durable remission, improve the quality of life, and reduce the need for surgery or hospital admissions,” he said.

“Through this international Advisory Panel, we will aim to accelerate the development of our therapeutic candidates and inform future microbiome-based diagnostic tools through Microba’s human-first, big-data driven approach.”