Novozymes, the world leader in biological solutions, and LinusBio (Linus Biotechnology Inc.), a leader in precision exposome sequencing, today announced the companies are forming a collaboration to test a new, non-invasive technology in a clinical trial. The project will apply LinusBio’s environmental biodynamics platform, enabling detailed temporal mapping of harmful compound exposure, to a clinical trial of probiotics sponsored by Novozymes’ human health unit, Novozymes OneHealth. The clinical trial will assess exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, and a broad range of environmental pollutants, and is part of a larger clinical program from Novozymes OneHealth.
As part of the project, LinusBio will conduct a comprehensive study examining lead and other harmful chemical levels. Utilizing a single strand of hair, LinusBio’s proprietary exposome and biological response sequencing platform can generate data similar to several hundred liquid biopsies and reconstruct the subjects’ exposure to environmental toxicants over time. The study will be conducted in Mexico, where environmental lead exposure remains a significant public health issue1. Lead exposure is also prevalent in many other countries where lead was previously used in gasoline, household paint, water pipes and other products2.
According to the World Health Organization, lead is now known to produce a spectrum of injuries across multiple body systems3. Lead can affect children’s brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioral changes and reduced educational attainment. The neurological and behavioral effects of lead are believed to be irreversible. Lead exposure may also cause anemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs.
“We are very excited to embark on this groundbreaking venture with Novozymes,” says Dr. Manish Arora, co-founder and CEO of LinusBio. “Lead exposure has a detrimental impact on health, especially in children. Currently, there are no effective methods to eliminate lead once it has entered the body. We are aiming, together with Novozymes, to change that. This joint project combines innovative technology and a fresh approach that can offer a major advance in solving the longstanding problem of lead exposure.”
“The collaboration with LinusBio in translating complex exposome data into biological insights and critical global health benefits will be key to advancing our leading biosolution pipeline,” says Dr. Delphine Saulnier, Health Science Lead of the Protective Health Venture at Novozymes OneHealth. “By combining this knowledge with our Data Science platform, the collaboration will give us a technical edge for pursuing new opportunities and further strengthen existing OneHealth solutions”, says Dr. Kimmo Makinen, Product Innovation Director at Novozymes OneHealth.
References:
- Tellez-Rojo, M. M., Bautista-Arredondo, L. F., Tamayo-Ortiz, M., Cantoral, A., Estrada-Sanchez, D., Kraiem, R., Pantic, I., Romero, M., Fuller, R., & Trejo-Valdivia, B. (2020, October). First National Report of Blood Lead Levels in Mexican Children: An Analysis to Inform Public Health Actions and Policy. In ISEE Conference Abstracts (Vol. 2020, No. 1).
- Rees, N., & Fuller, R. (2020). The toxic truth: children’s exposure to lead pollution undermines a generation of future potential. UNICEF.
- World Health Organization, “Lead Poisoning and Health” Fact Sheet, 23 August 2019, (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health) [Accessed on Oct 07 2022]
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