Novel “Living Biotherapeutic” Shows Promise Against Antibiotic-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae – Spin-off Company launched
Braunschweig, germany – Researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) have made a significant leap towards combating antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections with a novel “living biotherapeutic agent” (LBP). The project,dubbed Dekox,has progressed rapidly from basic research to the cusp of clinical trials and has spurred the creation of a new biotech company,Arvalus Therapeutics,aiming to bring this innovative treatment to patients.
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a especially dangerous bacterium, increasingly resistant to multiple antibiotics, posing a severe threat to immunocompromised individuals and those with hospital-acquired infections. Traditional treatments are becoming less effective, driving the urgent need for alternative strategies. This research offers a potential solution by harnessing the power of the microbiome itself.
How Dekox Works: Restoring Microbial Balance
The Dekox project focuses on restoring a healthy microbiome to combat K. pneumoniae colonization. The approach doesn’t directly kill the bacteria with antibiotics, but instead aims to re-establish a microbial environment where K. pneumoniae cannot thrive. This is achieved through a carefully selected, freeze-dried bacterium encapsulated in a capsule, designed to be administered as a medical treatment – unlike over-the-counter probiotics.
“Unlike probiotics that are freely for sale,an LBP is a medicine and must be checked and approved in this very way,” explains Professor Till strovig,head of the HZI department “Microbial immune regulation” and a key figure in the project.This distinction is crucial, as LBPs undergo rigorous testing and regulatory scrutiny to ensure safety and efficacy.
From Lab to Clinic: A Collaborative Effort
The development of Dekox is a collaborative effort involving multiple research groups. Scientists are currently working to identify the optimal product candidate from a range of possibilities, alongside developing robust production and quality control processes. The team, funded by the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Flexfund, aims to have a clinical-grade capsule ready for a Phase 1 clinical study.Key collaborators include:
Professor Maria Vehreschild (Cologne University Hospital): Leading the “Clinical microbiom Research” working group, providing expertise in microbiome-based therapies and clinical trial design.
Professor Katharina Schaufler (HZI Helmholtz Institute for One health – HIOH): Conducting vital virus testing to ensure the safety and compatibility of the product candidates.
Josef Penninger (scientific Managing Director, HZI): Highlighting the project’s success as a prime example of translational research – rapidly moving from basic discovery to potential clinical request.
beyond the Article: additional Crucial Details
Funding Timeline: DZIF funding commenced on August 1, 2025, with a project duration of 40 months. Prior support came from the GO-BIO initiative of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the HZI Translation Fund, and Helmholtz Innovation programs.
Arvalus Therapeutics Spin-off: The team is actively pursuing a spin-off under the name “arvalus Therapeutics” as part of the Helmholtz Enterprise output program, indicating a strong commitment to commercialization. the company’s website is https://www.arvalus-therapeutics.com/.
Target Patient Population: The initial clinical focus will be on patients with persistent K. pneumoniae colonization due to immunodeficiency, a group particularly vulnerable to severe infections.
DZIF Research Areas: professor Strovig also leads studies within the DZIF research areas of “Health System-associated infections” and “Outpatient infections at mucosal interfaces,” demonstrating the broad relevance of this research.
Microbiome Focus: The project is coordinated within the DZIF-Brückenthemas “microbioma,” highlighting the central role of the microbiome in infection prevention and treatment.This development represents a promising new avenue in the fight against antibiotic resistance, offering a potential alternative to traditional antibiotic therapies and a beacon of hope for patients facing increasingly challenging infections. Further facts can be found at https://infacthzi.podigee.io/11-unser-mikrobiom.
Source: Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) – https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/
