AceBiome and Bactolife to explore novel gut-supporting ingredients and opportunities

AceBiome and Denmark-based Bactolife have entered into a Joint Development Agreement to explore novel ingredients and expand their presence in global health markets. The companies will conduct studies together on gut health while exploring broader dimensions of overall health. 

Both companies will leverage their research strengths in the gut microbiome. AceBiome has developed a body-fat-reduction probiotic strain, Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17, while Bactolife designs binding proteins to support gut health. The company aims to launch these ingredients under the brand Helm in the US in 2026. 

“Bactolife is a science-driven company whose Helm Binding Protein ingredient has been recognized by leading global investment institutions,” says Myeong Hee Kim, founder and CEO of AceBiome.

“This collaboration provides a meaningful opportunity to explore the development potential of next-generation health ingredients through joint research combining Bactolife’s Binding Protein and AceBiome’s accumulated microbiome research expertise. AceBiome will continue its research into novel ingredients across new areas while steadily expanding its presence in the global market.”

Gut health focus

Both companies note that gut health represents a “central pillar of human health.” They aim to advance novel ingredient development and pursue opportunities to participate in global markets with comprehensive health solutions.

“Partnering with AceBiome in Asia Pacific, a highly reputable and market-leading supplement brand, allows us to pair Helm Binding Proteins with a probiotic in a market like Korea, which is at the forefront of probiotic innovation,” says Sebastian Søderberg, CEO of Bactolife.

Last year, we discussed AceBiome’s probiotic offer and new joint health solution with Myeong Hee Kim (Image credit: WTC Seoul).“This collaboration is a significant step toward delivering a thoughtfully designed, research-backed supplement and making targeted, science-driven gut support more accessible.”

Nutrition Insight previously met with AceBiome’s CEO, Myeong Hee Kim, to explore the company’s BNR17 strain and related products under the BNRThin brand. This probiotic is the first approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for body fat reduction.

In addition to this weight management product, the company is expanding its portfolio with health foods with additional functionalities.

Earlier this year, Bactolife raised over €30 million (US$35.6 million) in its Series B investment round to commercialize its binding proteins and conduct a human study program. The company notes that these binding proteins may complement broader efforts to reduce reliance on antibiotics, thereby contributing to global initiatives addressing antimicrobial resistance.

In a previous interview, the company’s CSO and co-founder, Sandra Wingaard Thrane, explained how these binding proteins are designed to bind to another protein with high specificity. This allows them to perform very specific actions, such as blocking a toxin from interacting with gut cell receptors.