Cowellnex and Metagen develop high-precision algorithms for gut microbiome tests

Health science company Cowellnex is working with gut health researcher Metagen to develop new wellness assays based on gut microbiome data from Japanese individuals. The partners are designing a new algorithm that proposes personalized foods to individuals based on these tests. 

This research will leverage “high‑precision” gut microbiota data obtained through Cowellnex’s MicroBio Me business. The company, jointly established by Kirin Holdings and Kyowa Kirin, has independently accumulated highly precise data over approximately three years using shotgun metagenomic analysis, one of the most detailed gut microbiota tests available in Japan.

In the future, the companies plan to commercialize the new testing services.

Nutrition Insights connects with a spokesperson from Kirin Holdings to discuss the commercial opportunities in personalized nutrition that may stem from this research.

“This initiative is being pursued with the aim of personally recommending foods based on test results,” a company spokesperson tells us. “It is well known that the microbiome varies by region due to genetic factors and lifestyle differences.”

Accordingly, they note that bacteria serve as indicators of good health. Those that are important for maintaining a healthy gut environment are also thought to differ by region.

“For this reason, we believe that test parameters based on data from the Japanese population are necessary. That said, if sufficient gut microbiome data can be obtained for other regions, expansion to other countries would be technically feasible.”

Filling gaps in gut health

Gut-modulated health positionings in nutraceuticals continue to attract mainstream appeal, with new biotic solutions being tailored for areas spanning immunity, cognition, and bone health. Recent scientific discoveries found that healthy microbiomes can be distinguished from diseased ones based on certain gut bacteria interactions.

However, because composition types and ratios of gut bacteria vary greatly among individuals, Kirin notes that recommended dietary approaches also differ.

Indicators of a desirable gut microbiome profile specific to each individual are also not yet sufficiently developed. This makes it difficult to establish concrete action guidelines.

Drawing on its data bank, Cowellnex will create new test parameters that account for the gut environment characteristics of Japanese people to develop an algorithm that proposes personalized diets.

Cowellnex will also formulate hypotheses for test parameters and food recommendations.

Metagen will conduct metabolic pathway analyses based on its expertise in gut environment research and bioinformatics, and for developing the algorithm (mechanism) for food recommendations. 

Through this joint research, the partners say it will be possible to identify which gut bacteria are present and to predict the overall capacity of the gut environment — including interactions among gut bacteria — to produce beneficial metabolites.

Comprehensive analyses

Shotgun metagenomic analysis comprehensively measures gut bacteria at the most detailed taxonomic levels — species and strain — as well as the genes of each bacterium.

The commonly used 16S rRNA gene analysis helps capture broad bacterial classifications but provides limited information compared with shotgun metagenomic analysis, highlights Kirin Holdings.

Furthermore, it notes that academic methods for researching gut health or for providing food recommendations specifically for Japanese individuals currently do not exist.

“Through these analyses, we expect to gain insights into individual-level differences in the production capacity of important gut microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, as well as how lifestyle changes may improve metabolite production capacity,” the spokesperson tells us.

“In addition, recent research has identified key bacteria associated with health and disease at the species level. By examining the abundance of such bacterial species, we believe this can provide users with stronger motivation to improve their gut environment.”

Even after the research concludes, Cowellnex will continue to accumulate data and evaluate ways to use this information. These discoveries may lead to new commercial ingredients that help better regulate the human gut microbiome.