Danish biosolutions company Novonesis and healthcare company Novo Nordisk have entered a research partnership to explore the role of the gut microbiome in the maintenance of metabolic health.
The global firms, each leaders in their fields, will work to develop synbiotic food biotic solutions to support users’ blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
As well as investigating how the gut microbiome may be used to monitor and predict metabolic and overall health trajectories, the companies will explore novel biomarkers with the aim of measuring the effectiveness of gut microbiome solutions.
“This is a really exciting collaboration and so proud that we are now looking more holistically at the key role of the microbiome,” said Adam Baker, PhD, science director of Novonesis’ Human Health Future Lab. “With our research, we continue to uncover the gut microbiome’s complexity, and as we learn more about its impacts on health, new ways to support health and well-being are emerging, and this project is part of that.”
Novonesis’ strain library holds around 50,000 microbial strains, which are scientifically backed to support multiple areas, including gastrointestinal, mental, women’s, infant, immune, oral and cardiometabolic health.
“Cardiometabolic health is deeply influenced by the microbiome, which makes it a central focus for new innovations in microbiome biotic solutions,” Dr. Baker said. “Our new partnership will open the door to new biosolutions, such as scientifically backed dietary supplements that support metabolic health and overall well-being.”
Weight management expertise
Novo Nordisk is a global firm with products marketed in around 170 countries. It has a history of expertise within diabetes medication and, in this regard, is well known for its Ozempic innovation.
Professor Nadeem Sarwar, corporate vice president and head of the transformational prevention unit in obesity at Novo Nordisk, said: “Obesity is a complex disease driven by multiple factors, including our hormones and genetics, and we are becoming increasingly aware of the role the gut plays in maintaining metabolic health and thereby minimizing the risk of developing obesity.”
“Prevention is an integral part of Novo Nordisk’s sustainable and holistic approach to stop the global rise of obesity,” he added. “The transformational prevention unit’s mission is to deliver science-based and scalable commercial solutions to predict and pre-empt obesity and its consequences for people at greatest risk.
“We can’t do this alone—building novel, multi-sector partnerships is crucial to deliver impactful solutions. We are excited to work with Novonesis to explore strategies for promoting long-term health that may support us on our mission.”
Novonesis’ biotics bank
Novonesis’ ProbioBrain with the Bifidobacterium longum 1714 psychobiotic strain won the Mind and Mood Ingredient of the Year category at this year’s NutraIngredients Awards. The innovation is scientifically backed to calm both physical and mental responses to everyday stress.
The firm produces Astarte, a combination of four Lactobacillus strains isolated from the vaginal tract of healthy pregnant women to support vaginal and gastrointestinal health in women.
To help reduce gastric inflammation and discomfort, Novonesis created Pylopass Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17648, a patented postbiotic strain that binds to Helicobacter pylori bacteria and helps reduce its load in the stomach.
Combining probiotics and HMOs, it has also created μBIOM, designed to work synergistically in the digestive tract to promote growth of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium.
