Chilliwack Biotech Pioneers Microbiome Medicine

Novel Biome, a specialized biotechnology company headquartered in Chilliwack, British Columbia, is making significant strides in the emerging field of microbiome medicine. Founded by Jason Klop, the company has positioned itself as Canada's first and only licensed manufacturer of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) products, serving researchers and clinicians worldwide with their expertise in gut microbiome restoration.

From Patient Care to Global Manufacturing

Originally focused on direct patient treatment, Novel Biome strategically transitioned to become a specialized contract manufacturing organization. This pivot reflects both the growing recognition of the gut microbiome's crucial role in human health and the increasing demand for high-quality FMT products in research settings.

FMT has already proven highly effective in treating recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (Baunwall et al., 2020), with cure rates exceeding 90%. Research now shows promising applications for inflammatory bowel disease (Tikunov et al., 2023), irritable bowel syndrome (El‐Salhy et al., 2022), metabolic disorders (Allegretti et al., 2021), autism spectrum disorder (Kang et al., 2019), Parkinson's disease (Cheng et al., 2023), and multiple sclerosis (Makkawi et al., 2018).

Manufacturing Excellence Meets Scientific Rigor

As the first FMT manufacturer in Canada to hold a Drug Establishment Licence (DEL) from Health Canada, Novel Biome maintains pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing standards that exceed industry requirements. The company adheres to strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ensuring its products meet the highest safety and quality standards for clinical and research applications.

Their comprehensive approach includes:

• Extensive donor screening protocols surpassing published standards

• Rigorous blood, urine, and stool testing parameters

• Four FMT formulation options: enema, colonoscopy, capsules, and oral powder

• Flexible delivery methods allowing researchers to select protocols suited to their specific needs

Global Reach, Local Roots

Despite being based in Chilliwack, Novel Biome's products are currently available only to international markets, not within Canada. However, the company hopes to soon partner with Canadian researchers to support domestic research and help advance the science of microbiome-based therapies.

This international focus allows Novel Biome to contribute to groundbreaking research worldwide. Their on-demand manufacturing capabilities and scalable production systems ensure that clinical partners can access high-quality FMT products precisely when needed for their research protocols.

Scientific Leadership in Microbiome Research

Novel Biome prides itself on being at the forefront of FMT and gut microbiome research. Their team of experts maintains extensive knowledge in the field while staying current with the latest research and evolving regulations. This commitment aligns with the broader medical community's consensus on the need for stringent donor screening and universal donor banks, which can facilitate better screening, increased accessibility, and reduced costs (Carlson, 2020; Edelstein et al., 2016).

The company's scientific approach centres on understanding that precision manipulation of the gut microbiome represents a new frontier in treating chronic diseases. By producing rigorously tested FMT products, Novel Biome empowers researchers to explore treatment options for conditions where conventional therapies fall short.

Supporting the Future of Microbiome Medicine

Novel Biome's work represents part of a broader movement in medicine toward understanding and harnessing the power of the human microbiome. As awareness of the microbiome's role in health grows, so does the demand for trusted, high-quality FMT products.

From its base in Chilliwack, Novel Biome is playing a pivotal role in this exciting new frontier. With a team dedicated to advancing the science of FMT, the company contributes to research that could transform how we approach chronic illness. Their commitment to quality and scientific rigor has made them a trusted partner for institutions and clinicians conducting research studies and supporting patients worldwide.

For more information about Novel Biome's research and manufacturing capabilities, visit their website at novelbiome.com.

This is a sponsored article that was submitted by Novel Biome.