Next-gen biotics: How industry leaders are blazing new frontiers in gut health and holistic wellness

Global awareness of the gut microbiome and its ties to holistic health benefits is continuing to expand, as the space evolves beyond traditional probiotics. From prebiotic fibers and psychobiotics to heat-stable postbiotics and novel yeast-based actives, the next generation of gut health innovation is focused on personalization, functionality, and full-body benefits.

Nutrition Insight sits down with experts from Gnosis by Lesaffre, Novonesis, and ADM to discuss the latest innovations and how biotics can enhance health and well-being along the many gut axes. 

“One size doesn’t fit all — this is central to how we approach gut health at Novonesis,” explains Jakob Dalmose Rasmussen, Novonesis’ VP of Strategy, Portfolio & Marketing, Human Health. “Our gut health portfolio is designed to meet diverse needs, with tailored solutions for sensitive gut, regularity, digestive health, and resilient gut.”

Precision synbiotics and postbiotic versatility

At Novonesis, the focus is on personalized gut health. Rasmussen emphasizes that the company’s portfolio is designed to meet diverse needs — from sensitive gut to regular and resilient gut — through targeted synbiotic formulations and clinically validated strains.

A standout example is the company’s synbiotic innovation combining Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 with Bifin02 (Istilos) and the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) 2’-fucosyllactose. Together, he notes that these components work synergistically to enhance bifidobacteria abundance, strengthen gut barrier integrity, and support regularity.

Meanwhile, he points to Novonesis’ Clepius L. plantarum strain, which has been clinically shown to reduce occasional gastrointestinal discomfort, flatulence, and bloating, while promoting normal stool consistency. He also highlights the benefits of prebiotics in formulation.

“Postbiotics provide technical advantages over probiotics,” Rasmussen underscores. “They are highly versatile, easy to handle during manufacturing, and can be seamlessly incorporated into various product formats such as dietary supplements and functional foods.”

“This ensures consistent performance and broad industrial applicability.”

On the prebiotic front, Rasmussen sees HMOs as a new frontier in adult gut health. 

“We believe HMOs can do much more than just feed bacteria,” he says. “We are actively investigating the health benefits arising from synergistic synbiotic combinations.”

Novonesis pioneers tailored synbiotic and postbiotic solutions designed for digestive comfort and holistic gut resilience.Novonesis is also advancing clinical research, including an ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial exploring the potential of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17648 to alleviate upper GI symptoms in adults. Rasmussen says the company expects results in 2026.

For Novonesis, he stresses that the future lies in creating science-backed, condition-specific solutions that combine probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in convenient and efficacious formulations.

Yeasts take center stage

Emilie Puppinck, the senior product manager for biotics at Gnosis by Lesaffre, spotlights the company’s continued focus and R&D to address emerging trends and changing consumer demands.

According to Puppinck, the future of gut health lies in a source often overlooked — yeasts.

“We believe yeasts are a wildly underrated part of the biotic world, and we focus a lot of our innovation efforts on bringing out their potential,” she explains. “Most recently, we relaunched our flagship clinically researched probiotic yeast, ibSium, under new forms, unlocking new formulation possibilities.”

Puppinck adds that the new concentrated, rod-shaped format of the probiotic enables once-daily dosing.

On the prebiotic side, the company is carving out a niche with its Lynside, which it touts as the first patented prebiotic yeast of its kind. Unlike carbohydrate-based options such as inulin or fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Lynside avoids typical side effects like bloating, flatulence, or abdominal pain.

A recent in vitro gut model demonstrated Lynside’s long-lasting fermentation in both the proximal and distal colon, enhancing microbiota diversity and immune activity even at low doses. Additionally, Puppinck says its adaptive impact on various microbiota profiles lends Lynside to personalized micronutrition, where formulations can be tailored to individual enterotypes.

Looking ahead, she identifies major potential in the gut-axis paradigm — from psychobiotics for mood and stress to gut-skin innovations targeting acne and eczema.

Gnosis by Lesaffre advances yeast-based innovations like ibSium and Lynside redefine gut health with personalized benefits.“A well-balanced gut microbiome is essential for overall health, while imbalances are associated with conditions like inflammation, mood disorders, and metabolic diseases,” Puppinck affirms. “Imagine stick packs for yeast-based probiotics and gummies (for sporulated bacteria) — stick packs can be aimed at supporting the link between digestive health and mental health with other proven ingredients combined with ibSium.”

Postbiotics in the spotlight

Vaughn DuBow, the senior director for the health and wellness marketing product portfolio at ADM, says the company takes a comprehensive approach to gut health — spanning pre-, pro-, and postbiotics — all of which are supported by research and clinical trials and programs.

“Consumer interest in prebiotic fiber is growing, driven by greater awareness of fiber’s role in gut and overall health,” he notes. “ADM/Matsutani’s Fibersol, our prebiotic dietary fiber, is backed by 30 years of research and has demonstrated support for promoting the growth of gut microbes that have been positively associated with health.”

“Plus, at 3.75 g per serving — for a total of 15 g per day over three weeks — Fibersol may help nourish the intestinal flora and support the intestinal tract environment.”

In the probiotic space, ADM’s B. longum CECT7347 (ES1) has shown benefits for gut and digestive health and reduced bloating. Also, its spore-forming DE111 (Bacillus subtilis) has been shown to support digestive and immune function, with demonstrated survival through the stomach and germination in the small intestine.

DuBow adds that ADM’s Gut Microbes (2024) study on ES1 reinforced the connection between gut and mental well-being. Participants with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea experienced significant improvements in symptom severity, quality of life, and stress reduction.

ADM is also advancing postbiotic innovation, which DuBow describes as “the next frontier for health and wellness solutions.” 

“Due to their resiliency, postbiotics can lead the way in new product development and help the gut health supplement industry overcome potential barriers in growth with formats that can more easily be added to daily routines,” he highlights.

ADM’s latest introduction, the Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 postbiotic, demonstrates how gut support can extend to emotional well-being. DuBow says studies show this strain may reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance sleep quality and duration.

ADM advances pre-, pro-, and postbiotic science with clinically backed solutions supporting gut, mood, and metabolic health.Furthermore, the company’s BPL1 (B. animalis subsp. lactis CECT8145) postbiotic targets metabolic health.

Gut-based holistic wellness

All three companies converge on one major insight — gut health is no longer isolated. It is interconnected with mental, immune, skin, and metabolic health through complex biological “axes.”

Gnosis by Lesaffre spotlights the gut-brain and gut-skin axes, with psychobiotic and beauty-from-within innovations.

Novonesis points to the need to design biotic combinations that address immune and mental health alongside digestive comfort.

ADM is expanding into gut–brain and gut–muscle research, linking microbiome modulation to stress, sleep, and physical performance.

“As research around the gut microbiome expands into other areas of well-being, including via the gut-brain axis and the gut-muscle axis, as well as for specific life stages and demographics, we anticipate vast opportunities for the gut health supplement industry,” DuBow at ADM underscores. 

This systems-level view reflects the microbiome’s expanding scientific relevance — and the industry’s shift toward multi-benefit, holistic wellness solutions.

However, despite market growth, all three companies also recognize that differentiation remains a core challenge.

Novonesis points out that many brands rely on similar ingredient profiles, making it difficult to stand out without proprietary blends, clinically validated components, and innovative delivery systems. 

ADM echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that postbiotics can overcome formulation barriers and expand consumer access through new formats.

Meanwhile, Gnosis by Lesaffre’s focus on yeast-based innovation provides a unique competitive edge in a bacteria-dominated market — highlighting how novel microbial sources can deliver both functional and sensory advantages.

At the same time, all three agree that regulatory constraints continue to limit how clearly health benefits can be communicated, despite mounting scientific validation — underscoring the need for strong clinical storytelling to build consumer trust.