BioInnovation Institute (BII), an international non-profit foundation, incubating and accelerating world-class life science research, today announces it has entered into a collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of North Carolina (UNC) to support a research project through its company creation program, Bio Studio.
Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, BII will contribute to the funding of the project by means of a grant with a total annual market value of up to DKK 7,860,000, for a project period of up to three years. Alongside the grant, BII will support the project with business development expertise, intellectual property support, access to investor network, and both wet lab and office infrastructure.
The Bio Studio project, named Pivot, will focus on how mucus can combat antibiotic resistance. The project aims to leverage the mucus barrier, an essential component of the innate immune system, to address the unmet medical needs of chronic lung diseases. The project will be led by Principal Investigators, Professor Katharina Ribbeck and Associate Professor Matthew Wolfgang.
Katharina Ribbeck, Professor of Biological engineering at MIT, leads The Ribbeck Lab which has become a world-leader in elucidating the role of mucus and the basic mechanisms of the mucus barrier. Matthew Wolfgang, Associate Professor at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Marsico Lung Institute at UNC, leads the team at The Wolfgang Lab and focuses on the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory infection in muco-obstructive airway diseases.
Trine Bartholdy, Chief Innovation Officer at BII, said:
“We are excited to enter into a collaboration with world-leading research institutes, MIT and UNC. The Pivot project is a fantastic addition to our Bio Studio portfolio as antibiotic resistance remains a key concern for society. The combination of expertise from both Prof. Ribbeck and Associate Prof. Wolfgang is a truly unique asset for this project and we look forward to supporting the team in developing innovative solutions to address antibiotic resistance.”
Professor Katharina Ribbeck, Principal Investigator at Massachusetts Institute of Technology added:
“The critical role of the mucus barrier has been overshadowed by the historical emphasis on antibiotics. However, with antibiotic resistance presenting a growing global threat, leveraging the power of this natural defense system offers a new frontier in therapeutic development. By harnessing the potential of the mucus barrier, a cornerstone of our innate immune system, we can achieve significant benefits for patients and society as a whole. BII’s Bio Studio program provides the perfect platform to explore the commercial potential of this innovative science and pave the way for company creation.”
Professor Matthew Wolfgang, Principal Investigator at University of North Carolina said:
“As the prevalence of lung disease and chronic lung infection continue to increase world-wide, there is a dire need for new more effective therapies to treat these highly recalcitrant infections. I am thrilled to be part of this innovative team and look forward to advancing Pivot to the next level with the support of BII’s Bio Studio program.”
Read more about the Bio Studio program here.