The human microbiome is a relatively novel area of therapeutic exploration. The collective term for the micro-organisms that exist within the human body, particularly in the gastrointestinal system and the skin, the microbiome serves a range of functions including aiding the metabolic processes, protecting against pathogens and interacting with the immune system. (Also see "‘Bugs As Drugs’ Approach To Cancer Nears Advanced Development" - In Vivo, 19 January, 2022.)
Bugs As Drugs: The Budding Microbiome Modulator Pipeline
INFOGRAPHIC: The sheer number of micro-organisms in the human body and their functions makes the microbiome a ripe target for therapeutic intervention. While still rather early, data show the microbiome modulator pipeline has immense potential across a range of therapeutic areas, not just in gastrointestinal disease.
More from Innovation
• By
AI-related deal activitiy in the first quarter of 2025 was punctuated by a last-minute $600m raise for Isomorphic Labs.
• By
The process of manufacturing medicines can often be complex, expensive and harmful to the environment. Initiatives like RESILIENCE UK are seeking to simplify this process, utilizing VR technology to create a more sustainable learning environment for both students and companies.
• By
Antag CEO Joerg Moeller talked to In Vivo about the young company’s gilded roots, and how its GIP receptor antagonist asset will differentiate in the crowded obesity market.
• By
Farideh Bischoff, chief medical officer of Heranova Lifesciences, discusses the urgent need for better diagnostic options and the latest innovations transforming care for endometriosis patients.
More from In Vivo
• By
Despite the significant presence of East Asian professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, their representation in top leadership roles remains disproportionately low. This disparity can be attributed to cultural bias, limited access to influential networks, and systemic barriers within corporate structures.
• By
The world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies mostly saw growth in 2024 but 2025 promises to be more of a mixed bag with headwinds including losses of exclusivity, Medicare Part D redesign and challenges in the Chinese market.
• By
Farideh Bischoff, chief medical officer of Heranova Lifesciences, discusses the urgent need for better diagnostic options and the latest innovations transforming care for endometriosis patients.