# Lumen Bioscience

> Seattle-based Lumen Bioscience engineers spirulina to manufacture and deliver therapeutic proteins as capsules, nasal products and other low-cost formats. Its vertically integrated platform targets diseases that conventional biologics struggle to reach economically, led by the experimental C. difficile cocktail LMN-201 and an oral weight-loss candidate, while partnerships and government grants extend the technology into vaccines, animal health and nutrition.

- **Founded:** 2017
- **Headquarters:** Seattle, United States
- **Founders:** Brian Finrow (Co-Founder and CEO), Jim Roberts (Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer)
- **Team size:** More than 100 employees publicly reported by Lumen; the supplied company record estimates about 150.
- **Products:** LMN-201, LMN-801, IBD biologic cocktail, Oxalate-degradation ingredient, Gastroenteritis antibody cocktail
- **Notable:** Developed patented methods for stable genetic engineering of spirulina after decades of unsuccessful attempts in the field., Published the spirulina manufacturing and oral-delivery platform in Nature Biotechnology in 2022., Built dedicated cGMP production in Seattle; Lumen reports capacity above 15 kilograms of GMP drug substance per week across its facilities.

## Products & services

- **LMN-201** — Investigational oral four-protein cocktail made in spirulina for initial cure and prevention of recurrence in C. difficile infection; in a registered Phase 2/3 study.
- **LMN-801** — Investigational oral hormone-protein candidate for weight loss, designed to promote fat loss while preserving lean mass; listed by Lumen in Phase 2.
- **IBD biologic cocktail** — Preclinical oral biologic program for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- **Oxalate-degradation ingredient** — Oral enzyme dietary-supplement program intended to support kidney and urinary-tract health; described as Phase 2/3 ready by Lumen.
- **Gastroenteritis antibody cocktail** — Oral cocktail aimed at multiple viral and bacterial causes of gastroenteritis, with a field proof-of-concept study planned for 2026.
- **Viral respiratory biologic** — Intranasal biologic program for influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and related infections; listed in Phase 1.
- **MoDuSA** — Modular Dual Scaffolded Adjuvant technology for shelf-stable, self-administered needle-free vaccines.
- **Animal-health biologics** — Partnered oral protein programs intended to reduce antibiotic use in livestock, including work against ETEC in swine.

## Achievements

- Developed patented methods for stable genetic engineering of spirulina after decades of unsuccessful attempts in the field.
- Published the spirulina manufacturing and oral-delivery platform in Nature Biotechnology in 2022.
- Built dedicated cGMP production in Seattle; Lumen reports capacity above 15 kilograms of GMP drug substance per week across its facilities.
- Received 34 issued patents and reported 24 more pending as of fall 2025.
- Advanced LMN-201 into a registered 375-person Phase 2/3 clinical study.
- Reported 21 of 21 initial clinical cures in the small open-label sentinel cohort of RePreve, with the larger blinded cohort ongoing.
- Raised a $30 million oversubscribed Series C extension in 2025, bringing reported total capital and platform investment above $185 million.

## Latest updates

- **2025-04** — Lumen reported 21 of 21 patients achieved initial clinical cure in the open-label sentinel cohort of the RePreve LMN-201 study; the small sample and non-randomized comparison require confirmation.
- **2025-10** — Closed an oversubscribed $30 million Series C extension led by WestRiver Group with Gates Foundation participation and several technology-industry investors.
- **2025-10** — Added Jeff Raikes to the board, promoted Nhi Khuong and Kole Krieger, and expanded the clinical team.
- **2026-01** — CEO Brian Finrow argued publicly for preventive, globally scalable biotech economics as the company's pipeline broadened.
- **2026-02** — ClinicalTrials.gov listed the RePreve Phase 2/3 study as recruiting 375 participants, with primary completion estimated for June 2027.

## Links

- Website: https://www.lumen.bio/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumen-bioscience/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/LumenBio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumenbioscience

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lumen-bioscience
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-21