AOBiome

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.

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

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

• Live biotherapeutics
• Microbiome therapeutics
• Topical drug development
• Inflammatory skin disease
• Biopharmaceutical pipeline

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Medicines Agency (EMA)coreOthers · 3 December 2025AOB 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.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 5 January 2024AOBiome (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, LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Biorasi 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 37minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017Science 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.
• VeristatcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2016AOBiome 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/aobiome
• Facebookfacebook.com/aobiome
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5071252

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AOBiome