Second Genome And Pfizer Partner For Microbiome Research Initiative
By Cyndi Root
Second Genome announced in a press release that it has partnered with Pfizer to conduct microbiome research in order to learn about the relationship between the microbiome, obesity, and metabolic disorders. The initial focus is an observational study of approximately 900 people. Participants with differing metabolic phenotypes will give investigators insights into the relationship between the microbiome and disease states.
Barbara Sosnowski, VP of External R&D Innovation at Pfizer said, “Our relationship with Second Genome, a leading company in the rapidly growing microbiome field, may enable us to expand our knowledge in whole body metabolism, with a goal to better understand obesity.”
Second Genome and Pfizer Partnership
Second Genome is a San Francisco based, small life sciences company founded in 2009. It partnered with Janssen Biotech in 2013 to find new treatments for ulcerative colitis. Second Genome and Pfizer did not disclose the financial arrangements for their new partnership. The two companies intend to conduct a study called the Cardiology and Metabolic Patient (CAMP) Cohort. Paul Huang of the Massachusetts General Hospital will lead the study.
The Microbiome
Gut microbes are proving to be influential in metabolism and certain colonies have more or less of a positive influence. Scientists have transplanted microbes into the stomach of study participants and found that specific microbes affect weight gain or loss. Peter DiLaura, President and CEO at Second Genome has said that when the microbiome is negatively altered, it leads to inflammation and metabolic disorders. He stated that the relationship with Pfizer enables the size and magnitude of a study necessary to find a fresh approach to treating obesity and stop the runaway epidemic.
Obesity
Obesity is a condition wherein an individual weighs too much and has too much body fat for what is considered healthy. Obesity can occur due to genetic reasons or because of a sedentary lifestyle and poor food choices. Being obese harms a person’s quality of life and increases the likelihood of poor health due to arthritis, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. Obesity rates are climbing worldwide, necessitating a better understanding of the metabolic processes in order to formulate new drugs for treatment.