Marinomed Biotech AG Develops First Medicinal Product for Autoimmune Gastritis

Marinomed Biotech AG, a Vienna-based biopharmaceutical company, develops groundbreaking treatment for autoimmune gastritis together with the Medical University of Vienna. Aided by the Marinosolv technology platform, for the first time, the focus will be on an anti-inflammatory treatment rather than treating only the deficiency symptoms.

“The goal of Marinomed is to solve the unsolvable using Marinosolv. We are delighted to work together with experts in their field,” said Priv.-Doz. Stefanie Dabsch and ao. Univ.-Prof. Christoph Gasche. “So far there is no anti-inflammatory treatment for autoimmune gastritis, and together we will change that.”

“Priv.-Doz. Stefanie Dabsch and ao. Univ.-Prof. Christoph Gasche as well as their team from the Medical University of Vienna bring extensive knowledge regarding the disease to the table, while we have the necessary galenic know-how. For patients, this would mean a milestone in their treatment,” added Marinomed-CEO Andreas Grassauer.

Data on worldwide incidence of people who suffer from autoimmune gastritis is hard to obtain as most patients experience a late and unspecific development of symptoms. The estimated prevalence varies between 2% and 8% of the total population. Autoimmune gastritis is a chronic inflammation of the stomach with a progressive loss of parietal cells, which primarily manage the production and secretion of gastric acid and intrinsic factor. Subsequently, the uptake of vitamin B12 in the body is reduced, which can lead to pernicious anemia and various neurological symptoms. In addition, a reduced uptake of iron triggers typical iron deficiency symptoms, such as hair loss, fatigue, or attentiveness disorder in combination with an iron deficiency anemia. The reduced secretion of gastric acid and a change in the microbiome of stomach and small intestine result in gastrointestinal symptoms, such as flatulence or bloating. This leads to a severely reduced quality of life for autoimmune gastritis patients. With progression of the disease, patients have a higher risk of developing gastric carcinomas and neuroendocrine tumors. Current treatments focus solely on the alleviation of the iron and vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, but not the treatment of the underlying inflammatory processes.

Together with a team of renowned researchers based at the Medical University of Vienna, Marinomed Biotech AG is developing a medicinal product that focuses on the anti-inflammatory treatment of autoimmune gastritis. Basis is the technology platform Marinosolv, which was developed and patented by Marinomed and has a good track record in mucosal applications. Anti-inflammatory drugs will be applied locally in the stomach in order to act predominantly in affected areas. The local application will severely reduce systemic effects and potential side effects. The inflammation, triggered by autoantibodies, will be stopped and the gastric mucosa can recover.

In doing so, Marinomed Biotech AG is broadening the Marinosolv technology platform by an application in the gastrointestinal tract. The company will take over the commercialization of the novel drug product. For this, the University transferred the respective patent to Marinomed Biotech AG.

The Marinosolv technology platform enables Marinomed to significantly increase the efficacy of hardly soluble compounds. This innovative technology has huge potential to change many other treatments in the field of allergies and autoimmune diseases. In 2019, Marinomed successfully completed a Phase 3 clinical trial for the lead product Budesolv, a fast-acting medicinal product to alleviate hay fever. This clinical trial represents a validation for the entire Marinosolv platform. The technology can now be used for many other indications. Marinomed’s aim is to enter the global multibillion-dollar market for the treatment of allergies and eye diseases as well as a constant broadening of the areas of application.

Marinomed Biotech AG is a biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Vienna and has been listed in the Prime Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange. The company focuses on the development of innovative products based on patent-protected technology platforms. The Marinosolv technology platform increases the efficacy of hardly soluble compounds for the treatment of sensitive tissues, such as eyes, nose, lung, or gastrointestinal tract. The Carragelose platform comprises innovative patent-protected products targeting viral infections of the respiratory tract and can reduce the risk of an infection with SARS-CoV-2. Carragelose is used in nasal sprays, throat sprays, and lozenges, which are sold via international partners in over 30 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.marinomed.com.