LNC Therapeutics, a French biotech company specializing in gut microbiome-based drug discovery have signed a manufacturing agreement with Luina Bio as the CDMO responsible for the development and manufacturing activities of a pharmaceutical development project aiming at harnessing the potential of Christensenella minuta (C.minuta) as a novel therapy to treating obesity and metabolic disorders. LNC Therapeutics is developing the first Live Biotherapeutic Product (LBP) based on C. minuta to clinical development.

Christensenella is a recently discovered family of gut bacteria. Considered a keystone taxon in the human gut microbiome, it represents a major opportunity in the fight against obesity, metabolic disorders and other high-impact diseases. Christensenella and microbiome modulation is an innovative approach with the potential to unlock a wide range of therapeutic applications.

LNC Therapeutics’ CEO, Dr Georges Rawadi, said “We chose to work with Luina Bio because of its expertise in the production of living organisms derived from the microbiome. They have a clear understanding of our needs and a strong responsiveness. Luina Bio is a key partner for LNC Therapeutics.”

The company intends to run its first in man clinical trial of Christensenella in 2020.

The requested GMP manufacturing services are currently underway at Luina Bio facility in Brisbane, Australia. Luina Bio is ideally suited to undertake the manufacture of microbial fermentation products as Luina Bio has worked on a number of product developments with experienced staffs, facilities and equipment to decrease technology transfer issues and achieve rapid start up for the project.

Luina Bio is a Finalist in this year’s Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards for the International Health category.

About Luina Bio
Luina Bio is a Brisbane, Australia based drug development and contract manufacturing organization (CMO) serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and veterinary industries. Drawing on more than 20 years of contract manufacturing experience, Luina Bio has the scientific expertise, training and experience to ensure a successful outcome to any project. Utilizing its TGA/APVMA licensed facilities operating to international cGMP standards, Luina Bio provides a comprehensive suite of manufacturing services for biological drugs. Luina Bio has extensive experience in manufacturing recombinant proteins, live therapeutics, whole cell vaccines, for pre-clinical, phase 1 to 3 human clinical trials and commercial products for veterinary industry for clients both within Australia and internationally in the United States, Europe and Asia.

In 2017 Luina Bio was the winner of the Queensland Government Export Awards for the Health and Biotechnology Industry and in 2018 was a winner in the Westpac Banking Top 200 Businesses of Tomorrow. In 2019, Luina Bio was Finalist for the Queensland Government Export Awards for International Health.