Ferring and PharmaBiome Enter Into a New Microbiome R&D Collaboration and Exclusive Licensing Agreement

• Collaboration leverages the proven development and commercial capability of Ferring with PharmaBiome’s compelling technology to research, develop and manufacture novel donor-independent microbiome-based therapies
• Deal provides access for Ferring to the next generation of microbiome-based therapies, building on Ferring's long term commitment in microbiome drug development

Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Zürich-based microbiome translation company PharmaBiome are today announcing a research and development collaboration to drive forward new microbiome-based biotherapeutics in the field of gastroenterology.

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The deal provides Ferring with exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise next generation microbiome-based therapeutics within the field of gastroenterology arising out of the collaboration. The financial details of this deal are undisclosed.

“This agreement is the latest in Ferring’s long term mission to maximise the therapeutic potential of the gut microbiome for the benefit of patients. PharmaBiome’s unique technology enables identification and manufacturing of defined consortium live microbiome biotherapeutics that could reverse microbiome dysbiosis linked to disease,” said Carl Bilbo, Senior Vice President, Microbiome, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. “This collaboration is a successful example of our strategy to use external innovation to build our pipeline complementary to our in-house research; and we aim to do further collaborations to build a vibrant research community.”

Tomas de Wouters, CEO, PharmaBiome said: “The trust of Ferring in our translational approach is an important validation of our work and a unique opportunity to accelerate the development of our rationally designed consortia with an experienced market leader in the microbiome therapeutic field. We are thrilled about the complementary expertise between our companies and look forward to a fruitful collaboration.”

Based on two core technologies, PharmaBiome has developed a unique technology platform to select bacterial strains for the design of bacterial consortia as live biotherapeutic products with defined activities - the NicheMap™ and a co-cultivation approach that enables fast and scalable production. PharmaBiome’s programmes aim at a next generation of products that are independent of donor material and deliver exactly the consortium of bacterial strains with the desired activity and therapeutic effect (“defined consortia”).

Ferring is the first company to successfully bring forward a first-in-class FDA approved live microbiome-based therapy to US patients. In addition, Ferring has the proven scale and ability to drive forward clinical trials and manufacture microbiome-based products in what is a pioneering field and has a long heritage within gastroenterology.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a privately owned, research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to building families and helping people live better lives. We are leaders in reproductive medicine and maternal health, and in areas of gastroenterology and urology. We are at the forefront of innovation in microbiome-based therapeutics and uro-oncology intravesical gene therapy. Ferring was founded in 1950 and employs more than 7,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Saint-Prex, Switzerland, and has operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries which markets its medicines in over 100 countries.

Learn more at www.ferring.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter).

About PharmaBiome

PharmaBiome is a biotech company developing therapeutic consortia using gut bacteria for targeted modification of microbiome composition and activity. PharmaBiome’s drug-development platform includes an in vitro culture based technology enabling the quantitative understanding of the link between microbiome composition and activity, the NicheMap™.

Discover more about PharmaBiome: www.pharmabiome.com

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