IBP-9414 will be evaluated in preterm infants with a birth weight of 500-1500g, compared to placebo with regards to efficacy and safety in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Gestational age at birth of 23 weeks+0 days to 32 weeks+0 days
• Birth weight 500-1500g
• ≤ 48 hours of age
• Written informed consent from the subject´s legally authorized representative (LAR)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participation in any other interventional clinical trial
• Infants in extremis to whom no further intensive care is offered by attending neonatologist
• Infants with, or at a high probability for, early onset sepsis
• Infants with recognized chromosomal anomalies
• Congenital or acquired gastrointestinal disease
• Earlier or planned administration of formulas, foods or supplements that contain added live bacteria
• Infants with known positive maternal HIV status