The presentation of new data at the AACR Annual Meeting underscores Microbiotica's commitment to advancing research in microbiome-based therapies for cancer.

Dr. Robinson noted that these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how gut bacteria can modulate immune responses to cancer treatments, potentially leading to more effective therapies.

In vitro studies have shown that three strains of MB097 stimulate dendritic cells to produce high levels of IL-12, which activates Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and NK cells, enhancing their ability to target and kill tumor cells.

The MELODY-1 study, which commenced in November 2024, evaluates the safety, tolerability, and potential efficacy of MB097 alongside KEYTRUDA® for treatment-resistant melanoma patients.

The nine species of gut bacteria in MB097 have been correlated with positive responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinical studies, indicating their potential role in improving treatment outcomes.

Melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer that can metastasize, presents a significant challenge in treatment, as approximately 50% of advanced melanoma patients do not benefit from current immunotherapy options.

Currently, MB097 is undergoing an international Phase 1b clinical trial in combination with KEYTRUDA®, focusing on patients with melanoma who have not responded to previous immunotherapy treatments, with results expected by the end of 2025.

Microbiotica's MB097 is a clinical-stage live biotherapeutic product composed of nine strains of gut commensal bacteria, designed to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors like KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced melanoma.

Founded in 2016 and based in Cambridge, UK, Microbiotica focuses on developing microbiome-based therapies for oncology and inflammatory bowel disease, bolstered by partnerships with organizations like Cancer Research UK.

At the AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago, Microbiotica presented new data on MB097, highlighting its potential to improve immunotherapy responses in advanced melanoma patients.

Research indicates that the intestinal microbiome plays a crucial role in influencing patient responses to immunotherapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, although the exact mechanisms remain largely unclear.

Dr. Mat Robinson, Microbiotica's Senior Vice-President of Research, emphasized that recent findings reveal how specific gut bacteria strains enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy through various mechanisms.