During the 9th Microbiome Movement Summit Europe, held recently in Barcelona (Spain) Microbiomepost sat down with Nigel Titford, CEO at Biogaia Pharma, to discuss the strategic considerations and challenges involved in working across both the dietary supplement and pharmaceutical sectors.
Biogaia, historically involved in animal health and functional foods, has now pivoted to focus primarily on dietary supplements. However, some of its research has outgrown the supplement space, leading to the development of pharmaceutical programs under its subsidiary, Biogaia Pharma.
The discussion highlights how Biogaia Pharma operates as an incubator, selectively advancing promising research findings into drug development while mitigating risks before seeking external partners.
A key example is their work with Lactobacillus reuteri, leveraging decades of research to develop a novel strain for clinical applications. The company currently runs two major clinical programs: one targeting mild to moderate ulcerative colitis using a L. reuteri strain, and another exploring the potential of Lactobacillus gasseri in treating opioid-induced constipation.
By balancing established expertise in probiotics with a focused approach to drug development, Biogaia Pharma exemplifies how companies can navigate the intersection of supplements and pharmaceuticals to drive innovation and address clinical unmet needs.
