Coming of Phage: Clinical trial underscores safety of technology battling E. coli triggered UTIs Locus Biosciences says the results of its early stage clinical trial for CRISPR-enhanced bacteriophage therapy shows its precision medicine asset is safe and well tolerated. Announcing the completion of its Phase 1b study of LBP-EC01, a CRISPR-Cas3-enhanced bacteriophage (crPhage) product targeting Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), the biotech said all primary and secondary endpoints were met. The results, it said, indicated LBP-EC01 exposure can decrease the level of susceptible bacteria in patients infected with E. coli in the bladder. The trial found no drug-related adverse effects, underscoring the safety of the company’s precision approach, added Locus.