CJ Bioscience Unveils Promising Data for IBD Drug Candidate CJRB-201 at ECCO 2025
At the prestigious European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) event held from February 19 to 22, 2025, in Berlin, CJ Bioscience is set to present vital preclinical data regarding its innovative drug candidate, CJRB-201. This promising treatment is specifically aimed at addressing chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with hopes for clinical entry in 2026.
CJRB-201 represents a unique strain of the beneficial gut bacteria Faecalibacterium, known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Among the various strains studied, it demonstrated the strongest ability to induce regulatory T cells (Tregs), which play a crucial role in regulating immune responses, particularly in the context of inflammatory conditions.
Preclinical studies conducted on multiple animal models have revealed significant improvements in key disease markers. For instance, the treatment effectively reduced weight loss and improved the disease activity index, showing that CJRB-201 could significantly alter the course of IBD. These results parallel the effectiveness of traditional antibody-based therapies while providing superior safety profiles and the convenience of oral administration.
The journey to developing CJRB-201 began with an extensive analysis of 500 metagenomic datasets comparing IBD patients with healthy individuals. This research indicated a noticeable depletion of Faecalibacterium strains in IBD patients, linking it to Crohn's disease and autoimmunity. Such findings positioned this strain as a promising therapeutic target.
In assessing variants of Faecalibacterium, CJRB-201 was singled out for its exceptional capability to promote Treg production, pivotal for dampening immune dysregulation. Testing on mouse models highlighted its ability to hinder weight loss and decrease the disease activity index significantly alongside improving histopathological indicators. Furthermore, CJRB-201 not only suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines but also contributed to an increase in colon length, signifying its potential as a potent therapeutic agent.
According to a spokesperson from CJ Bioscience, current treatments for IBD primarily rely on antibody therapies, which come with discomfort and safety concerns over prolonged use. CJRB-201 presents a revolutionary approach that champions an antibody-like efficacy while ensuring a well-tolerated oral formulation, enhancing patient compliance and overall treatment experience.
Encouraged by its preclinical success, CJ Bioscience intends to initiate human trials in 2026, marking an important milestone in their development agenda. Concurrently, the company is investigating the full therapeutic potential of CJRB-201 through research on dietary fibers and its underlying mechanisms of action.
Employing the SHIME system (Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem), CJ Bioscience is working to identify dietary fibers that facilitate the colonization of the gut with CJRB-201. Furthermore, collaboration with researchers at Harvard Medical School under the guidance of Professor Jun Huh aims to deepen the understanding of CJRB-201's mechanisms, pushing the boundaries of existing microbiome-based therapies.
CJ Bioscience, Inc., founded recently in 2022 and a subsidiary of the CJ Group, is dedicated to pioneering next-generation biopharmaceuticals targeting microbiome health. Through innovative applications of its advanced AI-powered microbiome science and technology, the company seeks to tackle unresolved medical challenges by exploring the intricate relationships between the human microbiome and various diseases. They focus on developing microbiome-based therapeutics across oncology, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma, as well as chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
CJ Group, established in 1953, operates as a global lifestyle company headquartered in South Korea, committed to enriching the health, happiness, and comfort of its consumers through innovative solutions in its core sectors: food and food services, bioscience, logistics and retail, as well as entertainment and media. Through the significant investment in R&D and the continual pursuit of transformative solutions, CJ aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals worldwide, making them a key player in health-related products and services.
CJRB-201 represents a unique strain of the beneficial gut bacteria Faecalibacterium, known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Among the various strains studied, it demonstrated the strongest ability to induce regulatory T cells (Tregs), which play a crucial role in regulating immune responses, particularly in the context of inflammatory conditions.
Preclinical studies conducted on multiple animal models have revealed significant improvements in key disease markers. For instance, the treatment effectively reduced weight loss and improved the disease activity index, showing that CJRB-201 could significantly alter the course of IBD. These results parallel the effectiveness of traditional antibody-based therapies while providing superior safety profiles and the convenience of oral administration.
The journey to developing CJRB-201 began with an extensive analysis of 500 metagenomic datasets comparing IBD patients with healthy individuals. This research indicated a noticeable depletion of Faecalibacterium strains in IBD patients, linking it to Crohn's disease and autoimmunity. Such findings positioned this strain as a promising therapeutic target.
In assessing variants of Faecalibacterium, CJRB-201 was singled out for its exceptional capability to promote Treg production, pivotal for dampening immune dysregulation. Testing on mouse models highlighted its ability to hinder weight loss and decrease the disease activity index significantly alongside improving histopathological indicators. Furthermore, CJRB-201 not only suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines but also contributed to an increase in colon length, signifying its potential as a potent therapeutic agent.
According to a spokesperson from CJ Bioscience, current treatments for IBD primarily rely on antibody therapies, which come with discomfort and safety concerns over prolonged use. CJRB-201 presents a revolutionary approach that champions an antibody-like efficacy while ensuring a well-tolerated oral formulation, enhancing patient compliance and overall treatment experience.
Encouraged by its preclinical success, CJ Bioscience intends to initiate human trials in 2026, marking an important milestone in their development agenda. Concurrently, the company is investigating the full therapeutic potential of CJRB-201 through research on dietary fibers and its underlying mechanisms of action.
Employing the SHIME system (Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem), CJ Bioscience is working to identify dietary fibers that facilitate the colonization of the gut with CJRB-201. Furthermore, collaboration with researchers at Harvard Medical School under the guidance of Professor Jun Huh aims to deepen the understanding of CJRB-201's mechanisms, pushing the boundaries of existing microbiome-based therapies.
CJ Bioscience, Inc., founded recently in 2022 and a subsidiary of the CJ Group, is dedicated to pioneering next-generation biopharmaceuticals targeting microbiome health. Through innovative applications of its advanced AI-powered microbiome science and technology, the company seeks to tackle unresolved medical challenges by exploring the intricate relationships between the human microbiome and various diseases. They focus on developing microbiome-based therapeutics across oncology, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma, as well as chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
CJ Group, established in 1953, operates as a global lifestyle company headquartered in South Korea, committed to enriching the health, happiness, and comfort of its consumers through innovative solutions in its core sectors: food and food services, bioscience, logistics and retail, as well as entertainment and media. Through the significant investment in R&D and the continual pursuit of transformative solutions, CJ aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals worldwide, making them a key player in health-related products and services.
Topics Health）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.