Ferring Pharmaceuticals and its US subsidiary Rebiotix are developing a first-in-class microbiota-based live biotherapeutic, RBX2660, against recurrent C. difficile infection. Abi Millar profiles this investigational therapy and finds out where it lies in the growing trend for developing drugs that target the microbiome.
Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff, often traps patients in a vicious cycle. A bacterial infection causing persistent diarrhoea and GI symptoms, C. diff typically affects people who have been treated with antibiotics, and whose balance of gut bacteria has been disturbed.
Unfortunately, because treatment usually involves another course of antibiotics, the infection can return.
Around 20% of C. diff patients will experience a second episode and the likelihood of recurrence increases every time. Patients who have experienced two C. diff infections have a 40% chance of reinfection, rising to 60% after a third. Some recurrences are due to a relapse of the initial infection, while others are due to being infected with a new strain.
Read the rest of this article in the August 2021 edition of Pharma Technology Focus
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