ElaBiota (Leader XI, NCBiR)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic skin disease, affecting 15-20% of children and 1-3% of adults. Since the 1970s, the incidence of AD has increased 2- to 3-fold, especially in industrialized countries. Currently, there is no effective therapy leading to complete remission of AD, and treatment focuses on symptom relief and achieving control of relapses. The moderate therapeutic efficacy of available drugs, significant side effects, and patient satisfaction data clearly indicate the need to develop new therapies.

Urolithin A (U228) is a postbiotic metabolite produced by the human intestinal microbiota from compounds found in certain foods, for which in vitro studies have demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory properties conditioned by inhibition of translocation of the p65 subunit of NFkB to the cell nucleus and in vivo studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity on the skin after topical administration of the compound. 

The planned R&D work will include scaling up the synthesis of U228 and delivery of the substance, development of a semi-liquid formulation (FU228), conducting physicochemical and pharmaceutical tests for it and testing the anti-inflammatory activity of FU228 on an in vivo model. The above work will provide the API and formulation that are necessary to continue the preclinical studies. In vivo studies will confirm the anti-inflammatory activity of FU228 and identify additional molecular mechanisms responsible for it.