We are developing Prevotella stercorea-based probiotic, postbiotic, and diagnostic products grounded in peer-reviewed human cohort evidence and protected by provisional US patent.
Explore the science ↓In a longitudinal cohort of 633 Gambian children aged 6–35 months, depletion of P. stercorea consistently preceded infectious adverse events. Protection against acute respiratory infection persisted after full adjustment for microbiome richness — identifying a species-autonomous gut–immune pathway rather than a general diversity effect.
A co-occurring species, P. copri, contributed similarly to richness but showed no independent protective signal in joint modelling, confirming specificity to P. stercorea. Protection extended to febrile illness independent of richness, consistent with broad-spectrum innate immune priming.
This is a single-species therapeutic signal, not a microbiome-diversity platform.
Stercora Biosciences is building a multi-modality platform around P. stercorea. A live biotherapeutic is the lead programme; postbiotic derivatives and a companion diagnostic extend the addressable opportunity across regulated and consumer markets.
| Indication | Rationale | Product form | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Infection Prevention | Direct clinical evidence from IHAT-GUT trial. Primary indication with strongest evidence base. | Probiotic capsule / postbiotic | Lead programme |
| Pandemic Preparedness | Richness-independent febrile illness protection suggests broad innate immune priming against viral aetiologies. | Probiotic / postbiotic supplement | Pre-clinical design |
| Immune Health (Consumer) | Western microbiome shares structural vulnerability with the high-protection paediatric phenotype. | OTC immune-support formulation | Concept validation |
| Competitive Athletes | Upper respiratory illness during competition creates a high-value prevention market among elite and endurance athletes. | Sports-performance probiotic | Partnership exploration |
| Paediatric & Elderly Wellness | Toddlers and elderly adults both exhibit microbiome contraction, elevated infection burden, and high consumer demand. | Paediatric drops / adult capsules | Oxford study planned |
| LMIC Paediatric Health | High infection burden with translational pathways through global health partnerships and nutritional platforms. | Sachet or fortified weaning food | Phase 1 planning |
| Companion Diagnostic | Stool qPCR assay for infection-risk stratification using P. stercorea abundance and microbiome profiling. | Diagnostic licensing | IP protected |
The programme originates from the IHAT-GUT randomised controlled trial (NCT02941081, n=633), a Gates Foundation-funded study of iron supplementation in Gambian children that became the discovery platform for the P. stercorea therapeutic signal.
The analytical programme comprising species-autonomous ARI protection, WAZ-stratified infection analyses, prospective directionality testing, and richness specificity diagnostics was conducted independently by the founding team and published in Nature Communications (2025).
A companion mechanistic manuscript characterising the dual ecological pathways linking the gut microbiome to infection susceptibility is currently under peer review.
No prior art has been identified describing P. stercorea as protective against infection, establishing clear freedom to operate.
Stercora Biosciences is currently raising seed capital and welcoming conversations with investors, strategic partners, and scientific collaborators. We are a Delaware C-Corp.