MSU News Service
BOZEMAN – Scientists at Montana State University have developed a therapeutic that has potential as a biological drug or probiotic food product to combat many of the more than 80 autoimmune disorders affecting some 23.5 million people in the U.S.
The bacterium used by MSU researchers to develop the new therapeutic is a common organism found in the human gut and could be administered as a probiotic food such as yogurt, as well as in a pill or nasal mist.
The technology could enhance existing autoimmune treatments and treat a range of autoimmune diseases, including common and potentially debilitating ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, Type-1 diabetes, colitis and multiple sclerosis.
Immune response to the therapeutic is low enough that it can be administered repeatedly without the body reacting negatively to it.
A patent application is pending and the technology is available for licensing. Currently, MSU has 213 licenses from technologies developed by faculty and researchers. Of those, 85 licenses are with Montana companies.
