Scientists at Norwegian University of Life Sciences and University of Copenhagen are working with a unique soil bacterium and have demonstrated in animal studies that inclusion of the bacterium in feed has beneficial effects on gut microbiota composition and diversity, energy metabolism, intestinal barrier function and both local and systemic inflammation. The effects have been validated in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease and diet-induced obesity.

Business opportunity

The product is a homogenized and freeze-dried bacterial that will used as an animal feed additive to prevent inflammation and improve gut health. There is also a huge potential for exploiting the product as a dietary substitute in humans to normalize intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in different conditions.

Inven2 AS seeks industrial collaboration partners/licensors for further development of product, or investors for taking the product to market.

Technology

• Intervention studies in diet-induced obese mice demonstrate potent effects on microbiota composition. Obese animals fed the bacterial meal changed their microbiota towards a composition typical of animals on a low fat diet.
• Body scanning by MRI reveals selective loss of adipose tissue, and analyses of liver tissue demonstrate gross changes in lipid composition in animals on bacteria-enriched diets, revealing major effects on energy metabolism.
• Potent anti-inflammatory properties of the product has been confirmed in different animal models. Beneficial effects on intestinal epithelium and mucus production in the colon demonstrate improved barrier function.
• In silico studies have identified genes from the bacterium relevant for understanding these effects, and ongoing studies are focusing on in vitro experiments with recombinant proteins and proteins expressed in established probiotic bacteria.

Advantage

A preparation of a soil bacterium in the diet of experimental animals has profound impact on inflammation and conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, reduced barrier function and intestinal microbiota composition

IPR

Pending patent applications in EPO and US (with priority date from August 2017)

Publications

“Lysates of Methylococcus capsulatus Bath induce a lean-like microbiota, intestinal Foxp3+Rorγt+IL-17+ Tregs and improves metabolism”, Benjamin. A. H. Jensen, et al., Nature Communications

Published Dec 02, 2019