First premature infant recruited in Kiobrina study
Triggers milestone payment from Biovitrum
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Biovitrum AB is in clinical phase II with the Kiobrina project and the first preterm infant has been recruited. This triggers a milestone payment from Biovitrum.
Kiobrina(TM) is a recombinant, biotechnically produced human enzyme (BSSL) that breaks down fat in the intestine. Kiobrina is intended as replacement therapy administered orally to preterm infants to improve their growth and development. At present, there is no equivalent treatment available.
BSSL is a very important lipase normally found in breast milk. The breast milk pasteurization heating procedure causes inactivation of BSSL. Consequently, infants who are given pasteurized breast milk or formula that does not contain BSSL do not receive this important enzyme. Despite efforts to optimize the supply of nutrients, preterm infants often suffer from inhibited growth due to insufficient uptake of fat. Replacement therapy with recombinant human BSSL could therefore improve the growth of these infants and have a positive effect on their later development.