Gastroenterology

Gastrointestinal Health

Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome—the microbial community in the intestinal tract——is an essential organ in the human body.¹ The gut microbiome supports better health through many pathways including influencing metabolism, immunity modulation and providing colonization resistance to some pathogenic infections.^1,2 Dysbiosis is the disruption of the volume and diversity of the gut microbiome, and it is associated with a range of gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI diseases including neurologic, metabolic, liver, inflammatory, and infectious diseases.^3-6

Colorectal cancer diagnostics
Colonoscopy is a validated method for detecting colorectal cancer (CRC) and precancerous lesions, which compared to other screening methods, permits diagnoses and therapy (i.e. polypectomy), and is more cost-effective than other screening strategies.⁷ During bowel preparation for colonoscopy, large amounts of fluid are ingested and lost to fully evacuate the colon.⁷

Unmet need

Clostridioides difficile infection
C. difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis and has been previously estimated to cause approximately 170,000 infections annually in the U.S.⁸ This has led to the death of more than 20,000 Americans each year.⁸ C. diff infection (CDI) can be the start of a vicious cycle of recurrence, causing a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system.^9,10

Bowel preparation
Only 39% of CRC cases in the U.S are identified before it has metastasized.⁷ The CDC recommends regular colorectal cancer screenings for people beginning at 45 years old, and there is a 91% survival rate for people diagnosed early with colorectal cancer.^11,12

Ferring research

Microbiome
Ferring is exploring the crucial link between the gut microbiome and human health to help people live better lives. Ferring has developed the first FDA approved microbiota-based live biotherapeutic to prevent recurrence of CDI in adults following antibiotic treatment for rCDI.

Bowel preparation
The need for rigorous attention to proper hydration and compliance during bowel preparation is one clinical opportunity to raise the bar for patients and healthcare providers when screening for conditions like colorectal cancer.^7,13 Ferring data support the use of a split-dose, low volume bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy.

The way forward

Ferring continues its long-standing commitment to gastroenterology by working with key partners to understand the human microbiome, digestive system, and their role in health and disease and exploring the potential of restoration of the gut microbiome and other areas of the digestive tract.