MRM Health has entered into a strategic research collaboration with Oncode Institute and the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) to accelerate the development of microbiome-based therapies that enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. The collaboration brings together MRM Health’s cutting-edge microbiome technology with the leading academic and clinical expertise of Emile Voest, Group Leader at the NKI and senior Oncode Investigator at Oncode Institute. The aim is to accelerate the development of novel live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) to enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer treatment. 

The collaboration builds on recent breakthrough research conducted at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, where researchers uncovered new insights into the role of the gut microbiome in determining responses to cancer immunotherapy. To achieve this, the laboratory of Emile Voest took a different approach: instead of focusing solely on which bacterial species are present, the team investigated which signaling molecules and metabolites the gut microbiome collectively produces. By taking this functional perspective, NKI scientists analyzed stool samples from nearly 800 patients who had previously received immunotherapy, complemented by fresh microbiome, tumor and immune profiling from 147 newly enrolled patients. 

These findings demonstrate that the microbiome is not merely a biomarker, but an actionable driver of treatment response, providing a strong scientific rationale for targeted microbiome-based interventions.

At the heart of the collaboration is MRM Health’s proprietary CORAL® platform, which will be used to design and develop live biotherapeutic products (LBPs). These precisely engineered bacterial consortia aim to modulate the gut microbiome in ways that improve responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) a class of therapies that has transformed cancer care but remains ineffective for many patients.

“Our research has shown that the gut microbiome and its metabolites play a critical role in shaping immunotherapy responses,” says Emile Voest. “By partnering with MRM Health, we can translate these insights into innovative therapeutic strategies that may help overcome resistance and unlock the full potential of immunotherapy.”

According to Bertholt Leeftink, Managing Director of Oncode Institute, the collaboration exemplifies Oncode Institutes mission. “This partnership shows how public–private collaboration can accelerate the translation of world-class academic research into new treatments for patients. By connecting strong science with an innovative biotech company, we create real opportunities to improve outcomes in cancer immunotherapy.”

Aligned with Oncode Institute’s mission to accelerate breakthroughs into patient benefit the program is expected to deliver a first clinical candidate by 2028 and targets both new cancer indications where the microbiome’s role is still emerging and established indications where improved efficacy is urgently needed.