#South Korea #Seoul #CJRB-201 #CJ Broscience #ECCO2025

CJ Bioscience Presents Preclinical Data on CJRB-201 at ECCO 2025

CJ Bioscience, a leader in microbiome-based biopharmaceuticals, has announced that it will present preclinical data on its drug candidate CJRB-201 at the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) 2025 conference, scheduled for February 19-22 in Berlin, Germany. The conference is a key event in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and attracts gastroenterologists, researchers, and leading pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

CJRB-201 is a microbiome-based therapeutic agent identified through CJ Bioscience's AI-powered drug discovery platform, Ez-Mx®. The candidate is being developed for the treatment of IBD, specifically targeting Crohn's disease and other inflammatory conditions of the intestines. Following promising results with its initial oncology asset, CJRB-101, the company has prioritized CJRB-201 for clinical advancement.

Key Data Revealed at ECCO 2025

Preclinical studies on CJRB-201 demonstrate significant efficacy in various animal models, showcasing notable improvements in critical disease indicators. Noteworthy findings include the substantial inhibition of weight loss and enhancements in disease activity indices. CJRB-201 is a proprietary strain of Faecalibacterium, which has exhibited exceptionally strong anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in inducing the production of regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Among tested strains, CJRB-201 showed the highest capability for this induction.

The research highlighted that Faecalibacterium levels were significantly lower in patients with IBD compared to healthy individuals. As a key commensal bacterium in the gut, its decrease has been closely associated with disorders like Crohn's disease and autoimmune conditions, marking it as a promising therapeutic target.

In multiple preclinical models, CJRB-201 provided improvements in several markers, including:

• - Inhibition of weight loss.
• - Reduction in disease activity indices.
• - Histopathological improvements.
• - Suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion.
• - Enhanced colon length.

Drawing comparisons to established antibody-based therapies, CJRB-201 exhibits comparable efficacy while presenting superior safety profiles and offering the convenience of oral administration.

Future Prospects and Human Trials

A representative from CJ Bioscience articulated the challenges that existing IBD treatments face, particularly with long-term use of antibody therapies, highlighting issues such as tolerability and safety concerns. CJRB-201 offers a novel treatment approach, potentially matching the efficacy of antibodies with the advantages of a comfortably tolerated oral formulation.

Looking ahead, CJ Bioscience plans to initiate its first clinical study involving human participants in 2026, building on the encouraging preclinical results. The corporation is also conducting research aimed at enhancing the therapeutic potential of CJRB-201 through exploration of dietary fibers that could promote the strain's intestinal colonization.

Utilizing the SHIME (Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem) system, the company aims to identify dietary components that support CJRB-201's colonization in the gut. Collaboration with Professor Jun Huh's research team at Harvard Medical School will further delineate the mechanisms of action (MoA) of CJRB-201, with the goal of addressing existing limitations faced by current microbiome-based therapies.

About CJ Bioscience

Founded in 2022, CJ Bioscience, Inc. is at the forefront of cutting-edge biopharmaceutical product development focused on gut health, leveraging advanced microbiome science reinforced by AI analytics. The company's therapeutic programs target unmet medical needs by exploring the intricate relationships between human microbiomes and a range of diseases, including oncology and inflammatory bowel conditions. CJ Bioscience is a subsidiary of CJ Group and trades under the ticker symbol '311690.KQ' on the KOSDAQ, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

About CJ Group

Established in 1953, CJ Group is a global lifestyle enterprise based in South Korea dedicated to enhancing the values of health, happiness, and convenience for its consumers through an array of products and services. The group aims to transform global industries through innovation across its four primary business sectors: Food and Food Services, Bio, Logistics and Retail, and Entertainment and Media. For additional information, visit CJ Bioscience's official website.