Acne vulgaris is a disease caused my multiple factors including overgrowth of bacteria, clogged pores, excessive sebum production and hormonal changes. Recent literature from the Human Microbiome Project has shown there are bacterial strains specific to healthy and acne disease states (Fitz-Gibbon et al, 2013, Johnson et al, 2016, McDowell et al, 2012, Tomida et al, 2013)

From this data, the investigators hypothesize that by eliminating disease-associated bacterial strains and replacing them with health-associated strains, recurrences or flares of acne may be improved, mitigated, and prevented. Instead of current approaches which focus on eliminating all bacteria from the skin, the investigators aim to deliver healthy bacteria to restore the skin to a healthy state via this replacement therapy.

The investigators aim to test this in a Phase Ib multiple application study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and clinical impact that a multiple applications of NB01 have on adult subjects with moderate acne.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Phase 1B Study of the Safety, Short-Term Engraftment and Action of NB01 in Adults With Moderate Acne

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disease caused by overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), impaction of hair follicles, excessive sebum production and hormonal dysregulation. Recent literature from the Human Microbiome Project has shown there are unique microbial signatures specific to healthy and acne disease states.

From this data, the investigators hypothesize that by eliminating resident disease-associated bacterial strains and replacing them with health-associated strains, recurrences/fares of acne may be improved, mitigated, and prevented. Instead of current approaches which focus on eliminating all bacteria from the skin, the investigators aim to deliver healthy bacteria (NB01) to restore the skin to a healthy state via this replacement therapy.

The investigators aim to test this in a Phase 1B multiple application study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and clinical impact that a multiple, daily, applications of NB01 has on adult subjects with moderate acne. Investigators will be profiling the change in microbiome over the course of therapy to determine if exogenously delivered bacteria can populate the skin (engraftment) and cause a shift in the microbiome safely and subsequently impact acne biomarkers that may correlate with clinical disease.

The investigators intend for this therapy to eventually be used in acne subjects with ages ranging from 13-40, and all disease severities as either monotherapy for mild to mild/moderate acne and as an adjuvant therapy for moderate to severe acne at all body sites, with special attention to facial involvement.

This approach is standard to acne therapy whereby mild disease will be treated with a monotherapy (i.e., topical Benzoyl peroxide [BPO]) and moderate/severe disease will be treated with various combinatory regimens (topical antibiotics, BPO, topical retinoids, oral antibiotics).

Primary Objectives:

1. To determine the safety and tolerability of a multiple application of topical P. acnes microbiome transplant ("NB01").

Exploratory Objectives:

1. To define engraftment duration of NB01.
2. To evaluate preliminary clinical efficacy using Acne Lesion Counts (total, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory), Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), and subjective improvement of acne based on subject reported outcomes (Acne QoL Questionnaire).
3. To evaluate treatment effects, based on sebum production in a subpopulation from sites 02 and 03.

Approximately 36 total male and female adult subjects combined with moderate, non-cyclical acne will be enrolled into the trial. Approximately twenty four (24) subjects will be randomly assigned treatment and twelve (12) subjects will be randomly assigned to vehicle control.

This is a multiple topical application study of live bacteria for the study of acne in adult subjects. Following a 5-7 day pretreatment of gold standard benzoyl peroxide therapy to kill resident facial bacterial, 11 weeks of daily topical application of NB01 will be evaluated.

Subject participation in the trial will approximately 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has provided written informed consent.
2. Subject is male or non-pregnant female, 18-40 years of age, inclusive at Screening.
3. Subject has moderate facial acne vulgaris
4. Female subject with non-cyclical acne.
5. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) willing to use adequate contraception during study participation
6. Male subjects willing to use an acceptable method of contraception during study participation.
7. Subject has the ability to personally apply benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and study drug, as per protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has active bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections.
2. Subject has active nodulocystic acne or acne conglobate, acne fulminans, or other forms of acne (e.g., acne mechanica).
3. Subject is currently participating in an investigational drug, device, or biologic study or has used an investigational drug, biologic or device treatment within 30 days prior to first application of the study drug.
4. Subjects with prosthetic heart valves, pacemakers, intravascular catheters, or other foreign or prosthetic devices/implantable devices/hardware.
5. Subject has a history of chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections.
6. Subject has a history of malignancy (with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer).
7. Subject is immunosuppressed (such as resulting from transplantation, immunosuppressive therapy, active HIV infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS], neutropenia).
8. Subject had a major surgical procedure, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury within 14 days of initiating study drug (unless the wound has healed), or anticipation of the need for major surgery during the study.
9. Subjects with close contacts (e.g., spouses, children, or members in the same household) that have severe skin barrier defects or are immunocompromised.
10. Female subject is pregnant or lactating or is planning to become pregnant and/or breast feed within the duration of study participation.

Other entry criteria not listed above will be reviewed of each prospective subject by the study staff to confirm eligibility

Initially there is no plan to share IPD. This may change later as the clinical plan develops.

12 weeks

Double blind