Transfer of probiotics technology, a potential treatment for immune system diseases

IBS transferred the probiotics technology, which can lead to the development of the treatment for immune and inflammation diseases, to ImmunoBiome Inc. ImmunoBiome. The signing ceremony was held in the IBS Headquarters in Daejeon.

▲ IBS President NOH Do Young (right) at the signing ceremony at the IBS Headquarters in Daejeon

The technology is related to the probiotic strain derived from Bifidobacterium bifidum, which is mainly found in the feces of newborns. IBS researchers were inspired by the observation that breastfed children are less likely to develop autoimmune diseases, such as atopic dermatitis.

This strain not only induces or suppresses the immune response to induce regulatory T cells (Treg) to maintain an immune system balance, but it also produces an immunostimulant, beta-glucan (β-1-6-glucan). Beta-glucan is expected to be used in many ways, including using strains as active ingredients in health functional foods or medicines for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as cell therapy products using regulatory T cells as active ingredients.

IBS has been transferring various technologies, including immunotherapy for cancer and treatment for Alzheimer's, to make sure that basic science research efforts lead to the development of drugs for incurable diseases. Including this transfer of the probiotic technology, IBS achieved a technological transfer worth KRW 20 billion in 2019 alone.

IBS President NOH Do Young said, “this technology transfer is a representative case that shows basic science, started out of scientific curiosity, can do something for the happiness of humankind and social development.” He added, “we will find more opportunities to transfer technologies, while continuing basic research to make the world a better place.”

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