SNIPR Biome, a pioneer in the development CRISPR-Cas armed phages (CAPs) to prevent and treat bacterial infections, announced today that it has received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a microbiome-directed intervention designed to improve environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) by reducing gut entero-pathogen burden in pregnant women from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

EED is a syndrome of the small intestine characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation due to the presence of entero-pathogens, resulting in poor gut health and a reduction in nutrient absorption. In pregnant women, a deficit in nutritional intake or absorption can negatively impact fetal development. By specifically targeting gut entero-pathogens, SNIPR Biome may be able to improve EED and pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

The aim of this grant is to generate CRISPR-armed phages (CAPs) from SNIPR Biome’s extensive phage library that has a broad and robust antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains sourced from sites in LMICs. SNIPR Biome has developed an existing CRISPR-armed phage cocktail (SNIPR001) comprising four CAPs broadly targeting E. coli, which will be leveraged in this project.

Christian Grøndahl, CEO, Co-founder, SNIPR BIOME commented: “We are honored and grateful for the trust that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has placed in us. Receiving funding from the Gates Foundation is a strong endorsement of SNIPR Biome’s ability to improve global health and make our products available in both developed and developing countries.”