Nestlé Health Science, a leader in nutritional and pharmaceutical therapies, announced Wednesday that it has officially joined the Microbiome Therapeutics Innovation Group (MTIG). This independent coalition is the primary voice for companies developing FDA-approved medicines that harness the power of the human microbiome.
The move solidifies the role of Nestlé’s Bridgewater-based U.S. headquarters as a strategic hub for the evolving field of Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs). As part of the membership, Dr. Krys Araujo‑Torres, the Global Head of Nestlé Health Science’s Medical, Science, and Regulatory Organization, will represent the company within the group.
Nestlé’s entry into the coalition follows its landmark success with VOWST®, the first and only FDA-approved oral LBP. Developed in collaboration with Seres Therapeutics, VOWST is used to prevent the recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in adults—a debilitating and often life-threatening gut infection.
“VOWST established an important clinical and regulatory precedent,” Araujo-Torres said. “As we continue to manage future iterations and evidence generation, we look forward to contributing Nestlé’s medical and real-world insights to MTIG’s policy and education agenda.”
- Accelerate Access: Lobbying for pragmatic regulatory pathways for new microbiome medicines.
- Enhance Investment: Improving the commercial environment for biotech firms in the space.
- Education: Serving as a collective voice for stakeholders, from policymakers to healthcare providers.
“Joining MTIG reflects our commitment to responsible, science‑led advancement of microbiome therapeutics,” Luis Briz, president of Professional Health at Nestlé Health Science said. “Together, we’ll champion pathways that help bring safe, effective microbiome medicines to more patients.”
