Free microbiome testing for all: Danone launches microbiome mapping research project

07 Feb 2020 --- A new collaboration between Danone Nutricia Research and the University of California, San Diego’s Microsetta Initiative is recruiting hundreds of US citizens to map their gut microbiomes. The project offers participants an opportunity to get their microbiome sequenced and tested, free of personal charge. In the same gut-health related space, microbiome restoration therapy company MaaT Pharma has announced an €18 million (US$19.7 million) Series B financing round including a microbiome-focused US investor, SymBiosis.

Danone Nutricia Research is the research and innovation division of Danone North America's global parent company and the move marks the first phase of an unprecedented program to map the gut microbiome of people around the world.

“Today, the gut is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of health. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyles are impacting our gut and eroding the foundation of our wellness. Our diets are too often lacking in foods that feed our gut microbiomes such as fruits, vegetables and fermented foods that provide key nutrients and substances like fibers, probiotics and prebiotics,” says Dr. Miguel Freitas, Vice President of Scientific Affairs for Danone North America.

“Our global parent company and the team at Danone Nutricia Research are deeply committed to gaining an even deeper understanding of gut health. This research has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people and is consistent with our global ambition to bring health through food to as many people as possible,” Dr. Freitas adds.

The gut microbiome is considered the next frontier in health and well-being and research is striving to uncover its potential benefits for overall health and wellness. NutritionInsight reported earlier this week on the potential of pre- and probiotics in gut health, as well. Innova Market Insights data show an 11 percent rise in launches with a gut-health related, digestive health claim (CAGR 2014-2018). Meanwhile, 64 percent of consumers said they consume more fiber to promote a healthy gut, according to a 2018 Innova Market Insights consumer survey.  

The collaborative research program, known as “The Human Diets & Microbiome Initiative” (THDMI) aims to discover the best diets and foods, using the latest sequencing technology, such as shotgun metagenomic sequencing. This technique enables THDMI scientists to comprehensively sample the genes of all organisms present in the gut microbiome, evaluate bacterial diversity and detect the abundance of microbes in the gut. Shotgun metagenomics will also provide means to study unculturable microorganisms that are otherwise difficult or impossible to analyze.

The collaborative research program, known as “The Human Diets & Microbiome Initiative” (THDMI) aims to discover the best diets and foods, using the latest sequencing technology, such as shotgun metagenomic sequencing.“With the support of citizen scientists and the structure of the Microsetta Initiative, THDMI is employing cutting-edge metagenomic techniques and using the latest shotgun sequencing technology to map the gut microbiome, providing a deeper level of analysis than is typically performed for this type of project,” notes Professor Rob Knight, Faculty Director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at University of California, San Diego and leader of the Microsetta Initiative.

“In addition, THDMI will enable us to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the diets and gut health of thousands of people around the world. This project is unlike anything of its kind in terms of the breadth of our research, especially when integrated with the Earth Microbiome Project, which will add an environment-angle to this project,” he adds.

Research process and reach
With the help of an animated character called Gutty, representing the gut microbiome, the initiative will recruit hundreds of “citizen scientists” across the US. After that the study will be extended to other countries to create a global map of the gut microbiome across diverse ethnicities and diets.

To take part in this citizen science initiative, participants will test their microbiome and complete a questionnaire about their diet and lifestyle. Each participant will learn how their gut microbiome compares to other people, and most importantly, how diet and lifestyle may shape their gut microbiome.

Investing in the microbiome
As the microbiome continues to provide ample space for innovation, MaaT Pharma scored an €18 million in its Series B financing round including a microbiome-focused US investor, SymBiosis. Furthermore, the company received added support from its existing investors Seventure Partners, Crédit Mutuel Innovation and Biocodex. 

The funding will enable the continued clinical development of the company’s current pipeline, as well as the expansion into additional oncological indications, where restoring a functional microbiome. In addition, it could provide significant therapeutic benefit when combined with other cancer treatments such as immune checkpoint inhibitors.

“We are happy to have added a US-based investor to our syndicate based on the strategic importance of the US market for our future development,” says Hervé Affagard, Co-Founder and CEO of MaaT Pharma. 

“A growing body of evidence suggests that a functional microbiome can improve cancer outcomes and we look forward to continuing building our initial proof of concept by going beyond hematological malignancies into solid tumors,” he concludes. 

Edited by Kristiana Lalou