Your biome
Ubiome startup develops medicines based on microbiome data
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
A large and diverse community of microorganisms, from bacteria to fungi, lives in the human body. The microbiome plays such a significant role that it is sometimes considered as an additional organ. uBiome startup is confident that knowledge about its composition will help create a new class of drugs.
The company's activity began with the sale of tests that allow the client to determine which bacteria live in symbiosis with him. However, uBiome's interests gradually shifted towards medicine, Business Insider reports. For example, a startup has released a SmartJane test, with which you can analyze the vaginal microflora for chronic infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
Currently, there are 250,000 microbiome samples in the uBiome piggy bank, and in 2019 this figure should reach 1 million.
Along with databases, the company's ambitions are also growing. The startup intends to use the collected information to find ways to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases and metabolic disorders. $105 million has already been raised for these purposes. In addition, the company hired Joe Jimenez, a former director of the pharmaceutical giant Novartis.
uBiome's strategy is to search in three directions. The company's specialists will look for microorganisms from which new drugs can be isolated; microorganisms that themselves are able to cure the disease; and, finally, chemical compounds to combat pathogens. Since the microbiome changes throughout a person's life, researchers will be interested not only in its composition at a certain point in time, but also in its dynamics.
The company believes that in the future, microbiome analysis will become as integral a part of first aid as pulse and blood pressure measurement.
This will allow you to select the necessary drugs and identify diseases hidden from other methods.
Among the symbiotic bacteria, there are species that can protect us from chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru