[Edaily Reporter KIM SAE-MI ] Introne Bio ( iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc.(048530)) announced on the 3rd that it presented two preclinical study results on microbiome-based colorectal cancer treatment candidates at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO 2026). The company also plans to participate in “BIO-Europe 2026,” which will be held in Cologne, Germany, starting on the 9th, to discuss potential technology transfers for its key pipeline.

iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc. recently presented poster presentations at ESMO 2026, held in Madrid, Spain, showcasing the results of bacteriophage-based research targeting harmful bacteria and carcinogenic toxins associated with colorectal cancer.

The first study evaluated the efficacy of “TgC-Phage E,” which utilizes the bacteriophage genome editing platform “IMPA.” According to the company, this candidate is designed to eliminate pks-positive E. coli associated with colorectal cancer while simultaneously inactivating the carcinogenic toxin colibactin.

In animal models, co-administration with the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) reduced harmful gut bacteria to approximately one-hundredth of their original levels. The number of atypical crypts and foci (ACF)—a marker of colorectal precancerous lesions—also decreased from 8.6 to 1.7.

In the second study, the bacteriophage mixture was administered to patient-derived normal colon organoids that had been treated with colorectal cancer-associated pathogens. As a result, the organoid survival rate—which had dropped to 35% due to pathogen exposure—recovered to 98%. The company explained that it also confirmed the maintenance of protein expression related to epithelial cell junctions and a reduction in DNA damage markers.

iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc. announced that during the conference, it agreed with European pharmaceutical and biotech companies to conduct a joint feasibility study on “pHyal20,” its subcutaneous (SC) formulation conversion platform. Moving forward, the company plans to apply this platform to biopharmaceuticals to evaluate absorption rates, efficacy, and safety, after which it will consider technology transfer or joint development.

iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc. also plans to hold discussions regarding technology transfer or joint development of its endolysin-based antibiotic “SAL200” and “pHyal20” at BioEurope, which will be held from the 9th to the 11th.

For SAL200, which targets severe infectious diseases, the company plans to discuss global technology transfer and regional licensing agreements. For pHyal20, the focus will be on securing additional Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and advancing the joint feasibility study.

Yoon Kyung-won, CEO of iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc., stated, “Through ESMO 2026, we confirmed the potential of microbiome-based anticancer drug research,” adding, “We will continue discussions at BIO-Europe regarding technology transfers and strategic partnerships for our key pipeline candidates.”