IP Group portfolio company Microbiotica posts strong Phase 1b data for ulcerative colitis drug

IP Group plc ( (GB:IPO) ) has shared an announcement.

IP Group said its portfolio company Microbiotica has reported strong Phase 1b data for MB310, an oral precision microbiome therapy targeting ulcerative colitis. Microbiotica develops live biotherapeutic products designed to modulate the gut microbiome, and IP Group holds an undiluted 16.7% stake in the company, valued at £13.9m as of 30 June 2025.

In a 29-patient randomised, placebo-controlled study, MB310 met primary and secondary endpoints, showing a safety profile comparable to placebo and robust engraftment of all eight bacterial strains. Clinical remission was achieved in 63.2% of MB310-treated patients versus 30.0% on placebo, with all treated patients entering follow-up remaining in remission and showing complete resolution of rectal bleeding.

The trial also showed improvements in histological markers of mucosal damage and reductions in faecal calprotectin, supporting a disease-modifying mechanism via restoration of the gut barrier and immune regulation. Microbiotica plans an adaptive Phase 2/3 programme in combination with standard anti-inflammatory or immune-modulatory agents and is exploring partnering and financing options to fund later-stage development and potential commercialisation.

For IP Group, the results underline the value of its exposure to microbiome-based therapeutics and validate Microbiotica’s clinic-first discovery platform, which leverages clinical data to identify beneficial bacterial consortia. If larger trials confirm these findings, MB310 could enhance Microbiotica’s and IP Group’s strategic positioning in innovative treatments for inflammatory bowel disease and potentially improve outcomes for ulcerative colitis patients seeking long-term remission without immune suppression.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IPO) stock is a Hold with a £56.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on IP Group plc stock, see the GB:IPO Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on GB:IPO Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, GB:IPO is a Neutral.

The score is held back primarily by weak financial performance (recent losses and negative cash flow), with limited valuation support from a negative P/E. Mixed technicals suggest no strong momentum tailwind, while the latest earnings call provides a moderate offset via improved cash proceeds, NAV stabilization, and management confidence in exit targets despite portfolio-specific setbacks.

To see Spark’s full report on GB:IPO stock, click here.

More about IP Group plc

IP Group plc is a UK-based investor focused on early-stage science and technology businesses with the potential for significant societal impact. Its portfolio spans breakthrough life sciences and deep-tech ventures, including holdings in clinical-stage biopharma companies such as Microbiotica, which develops oral microbiome-based therapies for inflammatory and other diseases.

Average Trading Volume: 3,550,662

Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy

Current Market Cap: £509.7M

See more data about IPO stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.