Glasgow-based biotech scaleup EnteroBiotix has secured a major £19 million investment to support one of the world’s largest clinical trials of microbiome-based treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The funding will support a Phase 2b trial of the company’s EBX-102-02 therapy, involving around 300 patients, with topline efficacy data expected in the second half of 2027. The drug is being manufactured in Scotland and has the potential to transform treatment for a condition affecting up to one in ten people globally.
Founded in Glasgow in 2017 by CEO James McIlroy, EnteroBiotix has now raised more than £65 million in total investment. The latest round was led by Scottish National Investment Bank and life sciences investor Thairm Bio, alongside existing backers.
Unlike conventional probiotics, which typically contain only a small number of bacterial strains, EnteroBiotix’s therapy includes more than 400 microbial species, designed to restore the gut microbiome at scale and target underlying disease biology.
McIlroy said the company’s clinical data suggests the treatment could deliver “transformative outcomes” for IBS patients, while helping establish a globally significant biopharmaceutical company from Scotland.
The company’s wider pipeline includes programmes targeting liver cirrhosis and blood cancer, alongside strategic research collaborations including with Imperial College London.
The investment marks another significant milestone for Glasgow’s life sciences sector, reinforcing the city’s growing strength in biotech innovation, clinical research and globally scalable healthcare companies.