This technology introduces a first-in-class engineered phage platform that delivers proprietary DNA Cargos into targeted E. coli strains of the human gut microbiome. Using CRISPR-Cas3–mediated in-vivo selection, the system converts bacterial populations and drives local production of human biotherapeutics directly inside the gut. The platform achieves durable bacterial trait modification without disrupting microbiome balance and enables oral delivery of otherwise non-bioavailable therapeutic proteins.

Unmet Need

Many biotherapeutics: cytokines, hormones, metabolic regulators, cannot be delivered orally due to degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. Systemic administration often leads to severe side effects, high toxicity, or limited efficacy. Existing microbiome approaches (FMT, LBPs, or phage therapy) struggle with poor colonization, transient effects, and lack of targeted, durable control. There remains a critical need for a method to safely and selectively modulate gut bacteria to provide local, long-lasting therapeutic benefit in metabolic, inflammatory, and oncologic diseases.

Our Solution

The platform uses tail-engineered bacteriophages to precisely target diverse E. coli strains in the gut and deliver custom-designed DNA cargos. These cargos encode:

• Human biotherapeutics (e.g., IL-10, IL-2, gut hormones)
• Enzyme inhibitors to neutralize unwanted bacterial activity
• Genetic modules for selective trait removal or control

A built-in CRISPR-Cas3 protection system enables in-vivo selection and long-term persistence of modified bacterial populations. Once converted, the bacteria continuously secrete therapeutic proteins directly in the gut, achieving potent local action with minimized systemic exposure.

Unique Advantages

• Only CRISPR-Cas3–based in-vivo bacterial selection system enabling durable population conversion.
• Oral, non-invasive delivery of therapeutics that traditionally require injection.
• Local production in the gut, achieving high efficacy with significantly reduced systemic toxicity.
• Broad payload flexibility: remove traits, inhibit enzymatic functions, or introduce biotherapeutic secretion.
• Highly precise bacterial targeting using engineered phage tail libraries.
• Preserves microbiome integrity—avoids dysbiosis typically seen with antibiotics or FMT.

Competitive Advantages

• Novel IP position with 5 patent families, including global coverage and freedom-to-operate, leveraging CRISPR-Cas3 to avoid Cas9 IP constraints.
• Superior durability vs. standard phage therapy or engineered probiotics, due to in-vivo selection of modified strains.
• Scalable manufacturing demonstrated up to 15-L bioreactors with GMP-ready processes.
• Validated in multiple PoC models (in-vitro and in-vivo), including IL-10 and IL-2 secretion, trait inhibition, and disease-relevant mouse models.