Dr Jessica Allegretti Explains Rebyota’s Mechanism of Action for the Prevention of Recurrent CDI

Rebyota was recently approved as the first live microbiome-based therapeutic for the prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and works by restoring the functionality of a patient’s microbiome after antibiotic treatment, said Jessica Allegretti, MD, MPH, medical director of the Crohn's and Colitis Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Transcript

Can you explain the mechanism of action for Rebyota and the significance of its FDA approval as the first fecal transplant therapy for the prevention of recurrent CDI?

So, it's certainly very exciting that Rebyota was just approved. This is going to be the first live microbiome-based therapeutic that we have—we generally call these products LPBs [live biotherapeutic products]. This is a rectally administered therapy that's meant to be done in the office or in the hospital setting. And again, it's indicated for the prevention of recurrent CDI.

What we know is that with CDI, the patient took antibiotics, which likely led to this infection, and then multiple rounds of antibiotics to treat. And so you've essentially ablated your gut microbiome. Therapies such as Rebyota are really meant to replace the ecology of your gut microbiome, and restore functionality of your microbiome so that you can be able to overcome this infection.