GutMagnific our first product
GutMagnificTM is an effective 5-stain lactobacilli probiotic food supplement for management of IBS. The beneficial effect in IBS patients is supported by positive initial data from a small clinical pilot study. It is scientifically designed using similar pharmacological methods to those used in pharmaceutical drug development. GutMagnificTM is the only multi-targeted product designed to address the three most important underlying biological mechanisms:
- Dysbiosis (imbalance of the gut bacteria flora)
- Gut permeability (leakage)
In addition to IBS, GutMagnificTM is expected to be an effective treatment in several other gut-related conditions, including:
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)
- Antibiotic induced diarrhea
- Leaky Gut Syndrome
- Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
ImmuneBiotech is building a pipeline within its concept of Companion Probiotics®. Selected probiotic combinations are designed for use together with existing drugs to improve efficacy and reduce side effects. The first indications will be multiple sclerosis (MS).
IBS is a functional disorder affecting the digestive tract, causing abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea, and is often associated with depression. IBS is the major case of abdominal pain and discomfort worldwide; some 10-15% of the adult population is affected.
There is a high unmet need for interventions with improved efficacy. Available products show only moderate efficacy and only address symptoms e.g. pain, diarrhea or constipation. Few probiotic products have shown some, but very limited improvements in IBS symptoms. IBS patients are under-diagnosed and often self-manage. There is a strong need for a safe and effective probiotic food supplement with good effect on IBS symptoms, one which will gain recommendations by clinicians and stand out as a clear first choice for patients.
Clostridium difficile infections
Clostridium difficile (CD) is part of a normal gut flora but can become a health threat for elderly hospitalized people, cancer patients, and patients under antimicrobial treatment. Under these conditions CD can overgrow and release toxins affecting the gut lining causing a severe form of colitis. In the US alone CD cause 500,000 infections annually and 29,000 deaths within 30 days of the initial diagnosis.
The standard therapy for CD infection is antibiotic treatments. Unfortunately 25% of the patients initially cured will experience recurrence. Many CD stains has become multi-resistant to antibiotics. Hence, the urgent need to develop alternative treatments that will cure patients in one treatment regime and not be the cause of further development of multi resistant bacteria.
Since early 2003, increasing rates of CD infection have been reported in Canada and the United States, with a larger proportion of severe and recurrent cases than previously reported. The raised incidence and virulence of CD infection have coincided with the spread of hypervirulent strains, particularly the ribotype NAP1/027 strain. Subsequently, epidemics of infections caused by RT 027 have been recognised in hospitals in European countries, e.g. the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Sweden.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating, multi system disease, characterized by unexplained persistent and relapsing fatigue and a combination of accompanying symptoms. The FDA has described it as a “serious and life-threatening condition”. Most patients also have IBS symptoms.
The global prevalence is between 0,2-1%. In the USA approximately 1 million (CDC estimate) and in Sweden 40 000 patients (0.4% of population) are estimated to suffer from ME/CFS (Riksföreningen för ME patienter). Despite the severity and high prevalence, there are no pharmacological treatments available and management is only aimed at symptom relief.
Many patients have had periods of stress or combination of stress and infection before symptoms, and describe the disease as a flu that is never cured. Millions of people are suffering from ME/CFS, a relatively “new” disease that strikes more people than multiple sclerosis, lupus, and many forms of cancer.