130. Design and Preclinical Characterization of SER-155, an Investigational Cultivated Microbiome Therapeutic to Restore Colonization Resistance and Prevent Infection in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Halvorsen Elizabeth , Vulic Marin , O’Brien Edward J , Byrant Jessica , Lombardo Mary-Jane , Ford Christopher , Henn Matt 
Published: December 2021

Background

During allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), the diversity and stability of the GI microbiome is disrupted, increasing the risk of domination by pathogens associated with bacteremia, aGvHD, and mortality. SER-155 is an investigational, oral microbiome therapeutic composed of cultivated spores and vegetative bacterial strains rationally designed to reduce the risk of bacteremia and aGvHD in HSCT recipients by decolonizing potential pathogens and restoring GI colonization resistance. SER-155 was evaluated in vitro for key pharmacological properties associated with colonization resistance, and in vivo to assess its ability to restore colonization resistance by reducing Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae carriage.

Methods

The design of SER-155 leveraged genomic data from interventional and observational human datasets to include taxa associated with reduced risk of infection and aGvHD in HSCT. Strains of interest were phenotyped, and over 50 candidate consortia containing different combinations of over 150 species were designed and tested in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, candidate compositions were evaluated in mouse models of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRE) colonization.

Results

Oral administration of SER-155 led to a 2-3 Log10 reduction in VRE and CRE titers compared to untreated mice (Figure 1). In vitro, the carbon source utilization profile of VRE, CRE, and SER-155 strains were assessed using a panel of 85 carbon sources. All 56 carbon sources used by CRE or VRE for anaerobic growth were also utilized by SER-155 strains, supporting a model in which nutrient competition may contribute to reducing CRE and VRE carriage and restoring colonization resistance.

Figure 1. SER-155 Efficacy in Mouse Models of VRE and CRE Colonization.

The titers of VRE or CRE were quantified in fecal pellets by plating on selective agar at the indicated time-points. The median A) VRE and B) CRE CFU per gram of feces was calculated for each group and plotted on the line graph (n=6-10 per group). L.O.D., limit of detection. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney t-test and significance was determined as a p-value of p&lt; 0.05*, p&lt;0.01**, p&lt;0.001***, p&lt;0.0001****.

Conclusion

SER-155 is an investigational cultivated microbiome therapeutic intended to reduce the risk of infection by engrafting human-commensal bacterial strains in adults undergoing allogeneic HSCT. Preclinical assessments in vitro and in vivo support the ability of SER-155 to reduce VRE and CRE carriage and restore colonization resistance in the gut. A Phase 1b study evaluating SER-155 in allogeneic HSCT patients is being planned.

Disclosures

Elizabeth Halvorsen, PhD, Seres Therapeutics (Employee, Shareholder) Marin Vulic, PhD, Seres Therapeutics (Employee) Edward J. O’Brien, PhD, Seres Therapeutics (Employee, Shareholder) Jessica Byrant, PhD, Seres Therapeutics (Employee, Shareholder) Mary-Jane Lombardo, PhD, Seres Therapeutics (Employee, Shareholder) Christopher Ford, PhD, Seres Therapeutics (Employee, Shareholder) Matt Henn, PhD, Seres Therapeutics (Employee, Shareholder)