AOBiome
AOBiome Therapeutics is a clinical-stage Cambridge, MA biotech developing B244, a live topical biotherapeutic based on Nitrosomonas eutropha D23, for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, pruritus, acne, and rosacea, with global Phase 3 preparation underway and Japan rights licensed to Maruho.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AOBiome does
AOBiome Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage life sciences company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that develops live topical biotherapeutics based on a proprietary single strain of Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB), Nitrosomonas eutropha D23. Its lead candidate B244, delivered as a topical or intranasal spray, repopulates the skin or nasal microbiome with AOB that convert ammonia into nitrite and nitric oxide, modulating inflammation through a novel IL-10-mediated mechanism that simultaneously downregulates Th2-associated cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-31. The company is currently preparing a global Phase 3 trial for B244 in mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis and associated pruritus, supported by a 547-patient Phase 2b readout published in The Lancet's eClinicalMedicine and earlier Phase 2 programs in acne, eczema, rosacea, and historical programs in allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and episodic migraine. Safety has been demonstrated across more than 1,000 patients with no treatment-related serious adverse events, and the manufacturing process has produced over 200,000 bottles at commercial scale with successful 300-liter scale-up for Phase 3 supply.
AOBiome's commercial strategy is built on a pharmaceutical licensing model, anchored by an exclusive license with Maruho Co., Ltd. for Japan covering all indications of B244 in exchange for upfront payments, development and commercialization milestones, and royalties. Global Phase 3 execution is supported by a long-standing CRO partnership with Veristat (since 2016, now spanning five clinical studies) plus prior engagements with Biorasi and Science 37 for decentralized trial capabilities. The company holds composition-of-matter patents on the D23 strain through 2035 across the US, EU, Japan, China, and other major markets, plus use patents covering acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. The company also operates a consumer cosmetics storefront at aobiomecosmetics.com selling biome-friendly skincare products previously marketed as Mother Dirt and AO+ Mist, though this is not the strategic focus relative to the pharmaceutical pipeline. Leadership includes CEO Todd Krueger, Chairman Dr. Jun Wang (founder of iCarbonX and BGI), and CMO Dr. Judith Ng Cashin, and the company has raised approximately $100M in cumulative funding.
AOBiome firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AOBiome
- Legal name
- AOBiome Therapeutics, Inc.
- Website
- https://aobiome.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AOBiome Therapeutics is a clinical-stage Cambridge, MA biotech developing B244, a live topical biotherapeutic based on Nitrosomonas eutropha D23, for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, pruritus, acne, and rosacea, with global Phase 3 preparation underway and Japan rights licensed to Maruho.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AOBiome industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Microbiome Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microbiome Manufacturing, Formulation & Delivery Technologies (encapsulation, spores, oral delivery) (HLAAAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microbiome Clinical Development & Translational Services (trial design, endpoints, sampling) (HLAAAFAK), Microbiome Modulating Small Molecules & Antibiotic Alternatives (HLAAAFAG)
Keywords
Where AOBiome is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
AOBiome business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Licensing and Milestone Payments: AOBiome generates revenue through licensing agreements for its B244 therapeutic platform. Under the exclusive license agreement with Maruho for Japan, AOBiome receives upfront payments, milestone payments tied to development and commercialization achievements, and ongoing royalties on net sales.
- Consumer Cosmetics Products: AOBiome previously sold consumer biome-friendly skincare products under the AO+ Mist and Mother Dirt brand names. These products are now sold through aobiomecosmetics.com, redirecting from the main AOBiome site.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Phase 3-ready biopharmaceutical with licensing model |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
AOBiome product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AOBiome develops B244, a proprietary, clinical-stage topical live biotherapeutic based on a single strain of Nitrosomonas eutropha (Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria D23) for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, pruritus, acne, eczema and rosacea. The bacteria produce nitric oxide and nitrite to regulate inflammation and microbial balance, and downregulate multiple Th2 cytokines simultaneously. The company also sells a consumer cosmetic mist line (Mother Dirt / AO+ Mist) for microbiome-friendly skincare through aobiomecosmetics.com.
Product overview
AOBiome operates two distinct product lines: (1) A clinical-stage therapeutics division developing B244, a proprietary topical live biotherapeutic platform based on a single strain of Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (Nitrosomonas eutropha) for treating inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, pruritus, acne, eczema, and rosacea, currently in Phase 3 trials for atopic dermatitis; and (2) A consumer cosmetics division offering the Mother Dirt/AO+ Mist product line, cosmetic biome-friendly products for restoring and maintaining skin microbiome balance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Mother Dirt: Consumer biome-friendly product line targeted at restoring and maintaining the delicate balance of the skin microbiome
- AO+ Mist
Products and services
- B244 B244 is AOBiome's proprietary topical live biotherapeutic based on a single strain of Nitrosomonas eutropha D23 (Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria). It is formulated as a topical spray for inflammatory skin conditions and is being developed for atopic dermatitis, pruritus, acne vulgaris, eczema and rosacea, with potential intranasal applications. The candidate downregulates Th2-associated cytokines via an IL-10 mediated mechanism while producing nitric oxide, nitrite and skin-beneficial metabolites. It is offered to pharmaceutical partners via licensing for regional development and commercialization.
- Mother Dirt / AO+ Mist Biome-Friendly Cosmetic Mist Consumer cosmetic mist products containing live Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria, previously marketed under the Mother Dirt brand and AO+ Mist product name, sold direct-to-consumer for individuals seeking natural, microbiome-friendly skincare that restores and maintains skin biome balance. Now distributed through the standalone AOBiomeCosmetics.com storefront.
Quantifiable outcome
- 34.3% reduction in WI-NRS itch score vs. 2.1 placebo at 4 weeks (p=0.0143 high dose)
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use AOBiome
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AOBiome technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
AOBiome partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA)coreAOB Pharma received EMA positive decision on the pediatric investigation plan (PIP), supporting future development of B244 for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children, adolescents, and adults in the European Union.
- Maruho Co., Ltd.coreAOBiome (AOB Pharma) entered into an exclusive license and development agreement with Maruho, Japan's leading dermatology company, for B244 in Japan. Maruho received exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize B244 for atopic dermatitis and all other indications in Japan. Maruho is responsible for conducting and bearing costs for development in Japan, including participation in the global Phase 3 study. AOBiome receives upfront payments, milestone payments, and ongoing royalties.
- Biorasi, LLCminorBiorasi served as the CRO for the 547-patient Phase 2b atopic dermatitis trial, providing decentralized trial capabilities across more than 50 clinical sites in the US. Biorasi is described as a leading Clinical Research Organization with expertise in dermatology.
- Science 37minorScience 37 partnered with AOBiome for the Phase 2b acne trial using its telemedicine-based 'site-less' clinical trial model with the Network Oriented Research Assistant (NORA) technology. This enabled remote patient monitoring, real-time data collection from patients' homes, and broader patient access across 9 U.S. states.
- VeristatcoreAOBiome has maintained a strategic partnership with Veristat since 2016, beginning with clinical development support across hypertension, eczema, and migraine programs. The partnership has expanded to collaborate on five clinical studies from Phase 2 through registration. Veristat provides comprehensive services including statistical consulting, regulatory strategy, and trial delivery, operating as an extension of AOBiome's team rather than a transactional vendor.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AOBiome competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arcutis Biotherapeutics: Late-stage dermatology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing topical formulations for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (Zoryve/roflumilast cream). Comparable to AOBiome in targeting non-steroidal topical therapies for AD and similar inflammatory dermatoses with late-stage clinical assets.
- Dermavant Sciences: Dermatology-focused biotech that developed topical tapinarof (Vtama) for psoriasis and is expanding into atopic dermatitis. Highly comparable to AOBiome as a late-stage topical therapeutic developer targeting inflammatory skin diseases with novel mechanisms.
- AnaptysBio: Clinical-stage immunology biotechnology company developing therapeutics for inflammatory conditions, including atopic dermatitis. Comparable to AOBiome in advancing novel immunology-based approaches (IL-33 antagonist rosnilimab) into dermatology indications.
- Cara Therapeutics: Late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing difelikefalin (Korsuva) for pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis and chronic kidney disease. Directly comparable to AOBiome given shared focus on pruritus as a primary endpoint in dermatology.
- Vyne Therapeutics: Clinical-stage dermatology company developing topical and oral therapies for inflammatory skin conditions. Comparable to AOBiome in focusing on non-steroidal, topical anti-inflammatory approaches for skin diseases.
- Seres Therapeutics: Clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company developing SER-109 (Vowst) and SER-155 for various inflammatory conditions. Most directly comparable microbiome therapeutics peer to AOBiome, sharing the live biotherapeutic modality and clinical-stage development model.
- Evelo Biosciences: Clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company developing oral monoclonal microbials for inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis. Comparable to AOBiome as a peer in the live biotherapeutic space targeting immune-mediated inflammatory conditions.
Broad incumbents
- Galderma: Global dermatology pharmaceutical and aesthetics company with a broad portfolio including prescription treatments for atopic dermatitis (e.g., Nemluvio nemolizumab partnership). Comparable as the broader incumbent dermatology player against which AOBiome's B244 will compete.
Emerging players
- Locus Biosciences: Clinical-stage biotechnology company developing engineered bacteriophage therapies (crPhage) targeting microbiome-related conditions. Comparable to AOBiome as an emerging player in the broader live microbe therapeutic category.
- Siolta Therapeutics: Clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company developing live biotherapeutics for inflammatory diseases including asthma and atopic dermatitis. Comparable to AOBiome as a smaller emerging peer in the microbiome dermatology space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AOBiome social profiles
Digital presenceAOBiome financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AOBiome leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
AOBiome subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
AOBiome funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AOBiome M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AOBiome
What does AOBiome do?
AOBiome develops B244, a proprietary, clinical-stage topical live biotherapeutic based on a single strain of Nitrosomonas eutropha (Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria D23) for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, pruritus, acne, eczema and rosacea. The bacteria produce nitric oxide and nitrite to regulate inflammation and microbial balance, and downregulate multiple Th2 cytokines simultaneously. The company also sells a consumer cosmetic mist line (Mother Dirt / AO+ Mist) for microbiome-friendly skincare through aobiomecosmetics.com.
Is AOBiome a public or private company?
AOBiome is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was AOBiome founded?
AOBiome was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AOBiome based?
AOBiome is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does AOBiome make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Pharmaceutical Licensing and Milestone Payments are the primary driver. The others are consumer Cosmetics Products.
Who are AOBiome's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Dermavant Sciences, AnaptysBio, Cara Therapeutics, Vyne Therapeutics, Seres Therapeutics and Evelo Biosciences. Galderma is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Locus Biosciences and Siolta Therapeutics.
Does AOBiome have an API?
No public API is recorded for AOBiome.
What industry is AOBiome in?
AOBiome's product category is Microbiome Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAFAJ, Microbiome Manufacturing, Formulation & Delivery Technologies (encapsulation, spores, oral delivery), with a secondary code of HLAAAFAK, Microbiome Clinical Development & Translational Services (trial design, endpoints, sampling). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.