It was reported yesterday that United States-based Vedanta Biosciences has commenced a phase one clinical study of its live biotherapeutic product candidate VE202 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Janssen Research & Development is managing the study. Vedanta Biosciences had granted the licensing rights of VE202 in 2015 to Janssen Biotech, with the microbiome-derived product candidate being evaluated in healthy volunteers. When it reaches the clinical trial stage, Vedanta Biosciences will be paid USD12m from Janssen in milestone payments. The company could earn up to a total of USD339m in development and commercialisation milestone payments in addition to royalty payments.

The product is produced from pure, clonal cell banks, which results in a standardised drug product in powder form.