Nestlé Health Science, part of the global food giant Nestlé, has announced a new licensing agreement with pharma manufacturer IdB Holding S.p.A. (IdB) to develop and commercialise VOWST in Europe.
VOWST is a prescription medicine used to prevent Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection from returning in patients aged 18 years or older after completing antibiotic treatment for C. diff infection.
The medicine comprises faecal microbiota spores contained within oral capsules.
It is the first and only FDA-approved live biotherapeutic product administered orally to prevent recurrence of C. diff.
According to the new agreement, both companies will work together to pursue regulatory approval in Europe, with IdB obtaining rights to commercialise VOWST across European markets, subject to approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
"This agreement reflects the strength of VOWST and the confidence we have in its clinical foundation and long‑term potential," said Luis Briz, President, Professional Health, Nestlé Health Science.
Collaborating with IdB Holding S.p.A. represents a meaningful step toward bringing this innovative therapy to European patients.
"We look forward to working together through the regulatory approval process, with a continued focus on patients who may benefit from a potential new preventive treatment option."
"The signing of this partnership marks the first major step in this project, a milestone that signifies trust, collaboration and the exchange of expertise between IdB Holding and Nestlé Health Science," added Gianluigi Frozzi, President of IdB Holding.
This effort begins a new exciting chapter for IdB, which will start a new dedicated company that will endeavour to market VOWST and bring to European patients new therapies for high unmet medical needs.