Lumen Bioscience, Seattle, WA, USA
www.lumen.bio

LMN-GI-EEC-401
ORAL ANTIMICROBIAL IMMUNOTHERAPY (mAb) 
Prevention of Campylobacter jejuni and enterotoxigenic E. coli bacterial diarrheal infections

The immunotherapy project is an oral antibiotic-alternative biologic cocktail developed with Lumen’s proprietary manufacturing process that utilizes spirulina expression. The new drug is under development for the prevention of diarrheal diseases caused by two deadly pathogens, Campylobacter jejuni and enterotoxigenic E. coli. Diarrhea kills 2,195 children every day—more than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It causes death by depleting body fluids, resulting in profound dehydration. Diarrheal diseases are often referred to as traveller’s diarrhea – intestinal infections caused by contaminated food or water. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), diarrhea is a leading cause of death and disease among infants and children.  Lumen’s goal is to produce a food-grade immuno-prophylactic drug at low cost for use around the world, including in areas where health-care temperature control is not available. The Lumen work is being done in collaboration with the US Naval Medical Research Center, led by Frederic Poly, Tufts University in Boston, led by Charles Shoemaker, the University of Virginia, led by Jim Nataro, and A-Alpha Bio, Inc., a Seattle-based biotechnology start-up.

Current Development Stage: Hit-to-lead

CARB-X Investment: Initial investment of up to $5.35m, with potential option payments up to $8.26m.

Initial CARB-X Investment Date: August 1, 2020

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