Adoption of Endolysin Therapeutic for Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) Project
June 16th, 2025- Tokyo, Japan – bitBiome, a pioneering force in the field of discovery, design and engineering of novel enzymes, proteins, and ingredients, using its proprietary microbial genome database, has announced that a project utilizing their platform technology has been adopted by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) Next-Generation Cancer Medical Acceleration Research Project (P-PROMOTE)*1. This project will be carried out in collaboration with the representative research institution, Nagoya University, National University Corporation, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (Principal Investigator: Suzuki Miho).
This project is aimed at the development of an innovative treatment targeting Fusobacterium infection in ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is known to have the highest mortality rate of all gynecological cancers. Resistance to currently used therapeutic drugs, including chemotherapy, is an issue, and the response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which were expected to be effective, is low at less than 10%, so there is an urgent need to develop a treatment based on a new perspective. A research group from Nagoya University has revealed for the first time that the anaerobic bacterium Fusobacterium is one of the causes of endometriosis*2, and has also discovered that it is frequently present in ovarian cancer tissue. These Fusobacterium bacteria cause chronic inflammation and are thought to be a factor in inhibiting the effectiveness of ICI by creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment that is difficult to treat. This research aims to develop a new treatment that targets Fusobacterium and overcomes immunotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer and plans to develop a combination therapy of the Fusobacterium-specific antibacterial protein endolysin and ICI.
*1: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) Next-Generation Cancer Medical Acceleration Research Program (P-PROMOTE)
This program supports basic research of international quality with an eye toward the creation of next-generation cancer medical treatments, promotes the transfer of research results to companies and other AMED programs, and strives to further explore the true nature of cancer. It aims to accelerate research and development leading to the early implementation of new medicines and other products that will revolutionize clinical practice, thereby creating research results that will bring “hope” to cancer patients and their families not only in Japan but also around the world.
＊２：Muraoka et al. Sci. Transl. Med. 15, eadd1531 (2023)
Announcement of adoption by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED):
https://www.amed.go.jp/koubo/saitaku_index.html
Public offering summary explanation material:
Next Generation Cancer Medical Acceleration Research Project FY2025 Public Offering
https://www.amed.go.jp/koubo/11/01/1101B_00061.html
About bitBiome, Inc.
bitBiome is a biotechnology company unlocking the full potential of our planet’s microbes to power the future of the bioeconomy. bitBiome’s platform is built on their proprietary single-cell microbial genome analysis technology, bit-MAP ®, which has enabled the creation of bit-GEM: an extensive and groundbreakingly diverse and growing microbial database of over 2.4 billion sequences, sourced primarily from environmental samples and predominantly containing sequences not present in public databases. Leveraging their expertise in bioinformatics, machine learning and unique use of AI technologies, the company practices a comprehensive enzyme discovery and enzyme, pathway and diversified strain engineering platform, bit-QED, to rapidly develop and manufacture bio-based products. bitBiome is committed to improving existing biomanufacturing industries and creating new ones by delivering unique nature-inspired bio-based products that cannot be enabled elsewhere.
To learn more about bitBiome’s platform and services, visit www.bitbiome.bio.
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