Breaking new ground in the application of microbiome testing

MedTech News: Australia’s precision microbiome company has launched its next generation human gut microbiome testing product to healthcare professionals, under a new brand.

A core component of Microba’s strategy is to leverage the company’s world-leading technology and capability to advance the clinical application of microbiome testing to become embedded as a routine part of health and disease management.

Microba Chief Executive Officer, Dr Luke Reid, said “The new MetaXplore test range delivers an important advancement in how microbiome test information can be applied in a healthcare setting. We continue to make progress at the forefront of this field to advance the application of microbiome testing in a healthcare setting towards a future where it can be routine in health and disease management, much like a blood test is today.”

The new MetaXplore range provides diagnostic gastrointestinal health testing together with metagenomic-driven gut microbiome analysis to deliver comprehensive gastrointestinal testing solutions for healthcare professionals. The MetaXplore test range has been brought to market under a new brand called Co-Biome.

Microba’s Chief Scientific Officer, A/Professor Lutz Krause, said “These new tests integrate traditional gastrointestinal pathology tools with Microba’s next generation microbiome testing technology and the latest global research to significantly advance the utility of microbiome testing in a healthcare setting. This test range is expected to significantly expand the total addressable market for Microba’s testing products.”

Sonic Healthcare invested $17.83 million to acquire a 19.99% equity and agreed initial terms for a strategic partnership to deliver Microba’s microbiome testing technology into Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, United States, New Zealand and Belgium.

A major catalyst for the sector occurred with the first FDA approval of a live microbiome drug received by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. A second approval is expected next quarter for Seres Therapeutics. These approvals demonstrate a clear path to market for microbiome drugs, an important catalyst for further investment into the sector.

Dr Reid added “With progress into the clinic with MAP 315 [for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease] and Microba’s growing intellectual property portfolio we are in a strong position to advance the company’s pipeline towards out-licensing deals”

The test range through next-gen Co-Biome can be accessed in Australia through a healthcare professional, and is expected to be rolled out through Microba’s growing international distribution partner network.

Microba was formed in 2017 based on intellectual property acquired from the University of Queensland. The company launched its first product, Microba Insight, in Australia in July 2018.

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