Neurobiomics: A Cure for Alzheimer's Disease Hidden in the Gut Microbiome…
Born out of a partnership between theInstitute of Functional Genomics (IGF) and thePasteur Institute, the Neurobiomics project is developing a promising drug derived from the gut microbiota that can influence memory. This innovative project has benefited from the support and involvement of the University Innovation Cluster (PUI).
When two research teams combine their knowledge and experience, they create a spark. That is exactly what happened before the launch of the startup NBX Biosciences, which was supported by the University Innovation Cluster and is now on track to develop a promising drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Sylvie Claeysen, a researcher at the IGF, has been studying the role of the gut microbiota in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease since 2014. Over the years, she has focused specifically on the composition of the microbiota in patients with the disease and, as part of a study conducted in collaboration with the Centre Mémoire Ressources Research CMRR) at Montpellier University Hospital, has succeeded in analyzing the proteins and metabolites produced by the disease. “We already knew that the microbiota influences the phenotype of its host in cases of depression and obesity. This time, we were able to establish a correlation between the microbiota and cognition. As part of our studies, we also monitored the impact on food intake and sleep. And the samples collected from subjects with Alzheimer’s disease allowed me to test microbiota transplantation in mouse models, ” the researcher explains.
A protective effect on memory
At a conference held in 2021, she met Damien Rei, who was a postdoc at the time and was working on the same topic for the Pasteur Institute. “As part of his postdoc, he demonstrated that transferring the microbiota from older subjects to mice affects the animals’ memory.” So that year, the two researchers decided to collaborate on the Neurobiomics project.
Animal behavior plays a central role in their research. “It’s very difficult to study memory at the cellular level… We have to study it in animals, but our tests are non-invasive,” explains Sylvie Claeysen.“When presented with two identical objects, the mouse explores and sniffs them. Five minutes later, when we put it back in front of two objects—one of which is new—because it’s curious, it spends more time in front of the one it doesn’t recognize. And we repeat the test 24 hours later… If it explores both objects in the same way, it means it no longer remembers the new one,” continues the researcher, who also examines other complementary parameters, such as neuronal activation or brain inflammation. For his part, Damien Rei is in charge of screening bacterial strains capable of having a protective effect on memory. And that is how, together, the duo is developing a promising drug candidate.
Analyze the bacteria
Currently, both teams are conducting tests on mini-intestines to measure its potential effect in humans. “This system allows us to use gut microbiota from healthy subjects or those with Alzheimer’s disease. This enables us to analyze the bacteria—whose benefits have already been patented—and its mechanism of action. “That’s the work we’re doing right now, ”says the researcher, who aims to further deepen our understanding of the subject and move “beyond proof of concept.”
Officially founded in 2023, the company was named NBX Biosciences and benefited from the“Companies and Campus”program, which served as a bridge between the academic world and the business community. “This program allowed us to hire an engineer and gradually move forward into the preclinical phase,” adds Sylvie Claeysen.
Moving forward, the duo hopes to quickly enter the pre-industrial phase so they can produce batches of bacteria—which will act as probiotics—in a culture medium they want to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Developed under the guidance of the Technology Transfer Acceleration Society (Satt AxLR) and the Business & Innovation Center (BIC) in Montpellier, NBX Biosciences was the very first company to win the Boost Invest MedVallée program in March 2024. In the coming weeks, the company is also expected to apply for Bpifrance’s i-Lab competition. And if everything goes smoothly, researchers could begin Phase 1 clinical trials in humans within a year or two…