NIZO partners with Nimble Science to provide gut health insights through ingestible capsule

09 Oct 2023 --- Dutch NIZO Food Research and Canadian health innovator Nimble Science, aim to expand nutritional insights on the link between the gut and immunity by using Nimble’s Simba (Small Intestinal MicroBiome Aspiration) capsule to collect samples from the small intestines in scientific research. The single-use capsule helps to overcome challenges to obtain samples from this region.

“Nimble’s consumer-friendly Simba capsule is the first commercially available low-cost passive device to enable sampling of the small intestine outside of the hospital or clinic. It is anticipated to mark a breakthrough in exploring the microbiome and metabolites of the small intestine,” Rianne Ruijschop, division manager health at NIZO, tells Nutrition Insight.

“The collaboration between Nimble and NIZO will pioneer the use of the Simba capsule within a broad range of studies to empower food ingredient and product applications.” 

Scientific evidence increasingly emphasizes the vital role of a healthy gut microbiome in the proper functioning of the immune system, heart and brain. However, the challenge lies in the difficulty and costs associated with obtaining samples from the small intestine, which hinders researchers in their exploration of gut health.

“For quite some time, our customers have been seeking more precise insights into the gut microbiome dynamics. We are enthusiastic about our collaboration with Nimble and to offer innovative research services, including the Simba capsule, as part of our health benefit and nutritional impact value proposition,” says Ruijschop.

Comparable to an endoscopy 
According to a joint statement by the two entities, the Simba capsule has been clinically put to the test against an endoscopy in collecting an uncontaminated high-quality sample from the small intestine. 

The partners note that Simba was able to extract a sample from the deepest parts of the small intestine, which were previously inaccessible and that houses one of the most bioactive and critical microbial environments. 

“The microbiome and metabolomic profiles we see in the small intestine through Simba have direct and immediate applicability to food and dietary supplement innovation,” says Nimble chief technology officer Dr. Joseph Wang. 

The difficulty and cost of obtaining samples from the small intestine hinders researchers. 

“Significant differences, particularly in key metabolites such as bile and short-chain fatty acids, are significantly different from what we have seen in the feces and are comparable to endoscopy. Reliance on fecal samples has provided us with only half of the picture.”

Through their collaboration, the two entities aim to present integrated expertise and technological capabilities in order to substantiate the nutritional impact that food can deliver on microbiome-related gut health, immunity and brain health.

Inspiring innovation 
Nimble and NIZO pledge that involving the Simba capsule in a broad range of studies will facilitate varied food ingredient and product application. 

“Through our advanced preclinical and clinical platform, we can support a range of services, from the discovery of microbiome modulation and defining function of interests to gaining a mechanistic understanding to serve our customers’ needs better,” Ruijschop further tells us. 

“This innovative approach promises to provide additional health benefits and thoroughly assess the impact of specific foods and dietary supplements such as pre-, pro- and synbiotics on the microbiome in the small intestine, in an affordable manner and time frame.”

A 2022 study from the University of Alberta, Canada and the University College Cork, Ireland, suggested that an improved understanding of gut microbiome might be critical in developing and improving nutritional guidelines.  

“We are setting the stage for a deeper understanding of the gut microbial ecosystem, ultimately aiming at enhancing human health,” Ruijschop concludes. 

By Milana Nikolova