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Live bacterial product with demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike conventional probiotics, it functions during stress or active gut inflammation.
About
Gastrointestinal inflammation is part of many diseases affecting millions of people and animals worldwide; for example, IBS affects 900 million people and 6.8 million people have inflammatory bowel disease worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, a lack of treatment options means patients are often reliant on drugs with negative side effects. Bacterial products are popular due to their perception as safe, natural treatments, but currently marketed products cannot function during active disease. Ferryx is developing bacterial products which are functional during active inflammation, an area where conventional bacterial products fail. During active inflammation or stress, gut iron levels increase. Most resident gut bacteria can grow under high iron conditions, but conventional bacterial products cannot; they are rapidly outcompeted and cannot have a beneficial effect. Ferryx selects bacterial products which thrive under high iron conditions and thus function during active disease. Our lead product is Streptococcus thermophilus FX856, a safe and effective live bacterial product which can be used for the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal inflammation, reducing symptoms and consequences of disease progression. This strain has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in standard animal models of disease; it reduced clinical signs of colitis, reduced bodyweight loss and reduced gastrointestinal bleeding. Streptococcus thermophilus has a strong history of use in humans, and is classified as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. This regulatory exemption provides immediate access to the food supplement market. This product is the result of 10 years' R&D at the University of Bristol and is now ready for market.
Key Benefits
Other bacterial products to treat gut inflammation are in development, but FX856 has three unique key attributes: • Capable of surviving and thriving in the actively inflamed gut • Demonstrated mucosal healing • Excellent safety profile
Applications
Gastrointestinal complaints affect millions of people worldwide. One of the most common conditions is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), affecting 900 million people worldwide. IBS has a significant impact on quality of life and ability to work; absenteeism and presenteeism cost industry £500-£1,100/patient/year. 15-43% of sufferers will purchase remedies to alleviate their symptoms. Whilst probiotics are popular amongst this group of patients, currently there is no product on the market which is able to treat active inflammation. There is a need for an over the counter (OTC) remedy to treat the active low-grade inflammation seen in IBS and alleviate symptoms. Due to its safety and efficacy in treating active disease, FX856 is well placed to enter this market. FX856, like all S. thermophilus strains, benefits from regulatory exemptions (GRAS in USA, QPS in Europe), allowing immediate access to the food supplement market, targeted towards people with gastrointestinal complaints, such as IBS. Worldwide, the health and wellness supplements market reached $207.59 billion in 2018, and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.45% reaching $283.75 billion by 2023.