Evolve BioSystems, Inc. Announces Collaboration with Janssen to Study the Impact of B. infantis EVC001 in the Reduction of Atopic Dermatitis

Study aims to investigate whether infant probiotic Evivo can reduce development of early childhood atopic dermatitis, which is implicated in asthma, allergic rhinitis and food allergies, and affects up to 20 percent of children

DAVIS, CA, March 26, 2020 -- Evolve BioSystems, Inc., a global leader dedicated to improving human health through the gut microbiome, today announced a collaboration with Janssen Research & Development, LLC, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to conduct a clinical study in children at risk for developing atopic dermatitis. The study will assess the effects of introducing a specific gut bacterium, Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (activated B. infantis EVC001, marketed as Evivo®) in inhibiting the onset of atopic dermatitis, the most prevalent pediatric skin disorderⁱ, in the first year of life.  The agreement was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC.

“Atopic dermatitis is not just a debilitating condition for millions of children, but is also a gateway condition associated with numerous chronic conditions that carry a lifelong physical, emotional and financial burden,” said David Kyle, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer, Evolve BioSystems, Inc.  “This study looks to demonstrate whether the introduction of B. infantis EVC001 to the infant gut microbiome will deflect the development of atopic dermatitis and establish a path to lifelong health.”

Atopic dermatitis is an immunological disease condition that affects up to 1 in 5 children, with 60 percent of cases presenting by age one year.ⁱⁱ  Atopic dermatitis has been implicated in predisposing children to a range of pediatric health conditions ranging from food allergies to asthma.ⁱⁱⁱ   These individuals also have an increased risk of other conditions associated with inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and are at increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and depression.^iv  The annual cost burden of atopic dermatitis in the US exceeds $5 billion.^v

Restoring Good Health Through the Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome is made-up of trillions of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract of newborns. B. infantis is a critical beneficial bacteria required for proper development of the infant gut microbiome. B. infantis EVC001 transforms Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) into quickly available energy for the intestinal cells.  This lowers the gut pH, reducing potential pathogens by 80%.  The loss of B. infantis due to C-section delivery and antibiotic use is linked to a higher risk for atopic dermatitis, as well as a six-fold higher incidence of allergies and of type 1 diabetes in children.^vi

Study Details
The study, a proof-of-concept, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm parallel study, will be conducted in collaboration with Janssen. Investigators will enroll infants who are less than 15 days old, with a genetic predisposition to allergic conditions, and who are breastfed, with maternal intent to maintain breastfeeding through three months of age.  Study participants will be given either daily single doses of a supplement with B.  infantis (EVC001) or a placebo for a 12-week period, and then monitored for signs of atopic dermatitis, skin rash, diaper rash and itch over the next 2 years.  

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About Evolve BioSystems, Inc.
Evolve BioSystems, Inc. is a privately-held microbiome company dedicated to researching solutions to establish, restore, and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Evolve is a portfolio company of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Horizons Ventures, the venture division of the Li Ka Shing Foundation. Evolve is a spin-off from the Foods for Health Institute (FFHI) at the University of California, Davis and builds on more than a decade of research into understanding the unique partnership of the infant gut microbiome and breast milk components.

The legal entity to the agreement with Evolve is Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc.

ⁱ https://www.ajmc.com/journals/supplement/2017/atopic-dermatitis-focusing-on-the-patient-care-strategy-in-the-managed-care-setting/overview-of-atopic-dermatitis-article
ⁱⁱ https://www.ajmc.com/journals/supplement/2017/atopic-dermatitis-focusing-on-the-patient-care-strategy-in-the-managed-care-setting/overview-of-atopic-dermatitis-article
ⁱⁱⁱ https://acaai.org/allergies/types-allergies/skin-allergy/eczema-atopic-dermatitis
^iv https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/atopic-dermatitis
^v https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27616422
^vi Vatanen T. et al., Cell. 2016