“Biohm and Life Extension are both science-driven companies with a deep commitment to innovation and improving health,” said Andrew G. Swick, PhD, chief scientific officer at Life Extension. “Biohm's proprietary DataMap platform and cutting-edge analytical approach makes them the perfect collaborator for Life Extension as we continue to create innovative, best-in-class supplements for our customers.”
In September, Biohm made its ingredient formulation, bioinformatics, testing and clinical trial support capabilities available as services to gut health companies. A $7.5 million equity financing round closed in January to accelerate microbiome research, artificial intelligence capabilities and product development.
'One of the largest microbiome datasets'
This new partnership leverages Biohm’s DataMap platform to expand Life Extension’s line of Florassist probiotics by identifying gut dysbiosis in a specific cohort and using smart microbiome data to design next generation products to match.
"We're proud to partner with Life Extension to create a breakthrough line of microbiome products specifically developed for their consumers," said Afif Ghannoum, CEO at Biohm Health. "Our proprietary DataMap platform allows us to cross analyze our microbiome dataset against 50 different meta data points and create microbiome formulations that are tightly targeted to specific consumer needs.”
Since launching its gut test kit in 2017, Biohm has amassed what it calls one of the largest microbiome datasets globally, one that combines bacterial and fungal sequencing. The dataset also factors in metadata points around diet, sleep, digestive issues, health conditions and medication and supplement use gathered through a gut quiz.
A fungal-bacteria partnership
Biohm’s product launches stem from the research of Mahmoud Ghannoum, PhD, director of the Center for Medical Mycology at Case Western Reserve University, who identified the synergistic relationship between fungi and bacteria in the gut.
“Until that research – and still today – the sole focus of the microbiome was on the bacterial community,” Dr. Ghannoum told NutraIngredients-USA. “We discovered that not only was fungi a dominating factor in gut health but that fungi interacted with – and influenced – bacteria in a way that could potentially cause a lot of harm.”
A leading microbiome researcher with over 500 published studies and continuous National Institutes of Health funding since 1991, Dr. Ghannoum coined the term “mycobiome”, establishing that fungal organisms – and not only bacteria – are essential actors for gut health.
Biohm’s first product launch was its own Biohm FX probiotic blend, which breaks down digestive plaque to restore healthy balance and function in the gut. The company has since added more prebiotic and probiotic products ranging from colon cleanser and multivitamin to clean energy and vaginal and urinary tract formulations. The probiotic blend combines good fungi, good bacteria and digestive enzymes, while other products mix in antioxidants, nootropics, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals for specific added effects.
The gut test kits, with a starting price of $129.00, continue to provide personalized microbiome profiles derived from bacterial and fungal sequencing. Results are delivered with dietary, lifestyle and supplement recommendations focused on digestive health.