Lallemand opens new R&D labs
The company invested over €1.7 million euros to expand the labs by 800 square meters to strengthen its bioprocess innovation cluster and accelerate the development of next-generation strains, VP of R&D Sylvie Binda told NutraIngredients.
Lallemand Health Solutions' R&D department operates four platforms: bioprocess, galenic forms, pre-clinical and clinical . The bioprocess and galenic platforms operate in Blagnac, while the Rosell Institute in Montreal manages the pre-clinical and clinical platforms.
The bioprocess and galenic platforms optimize production processes, enhance strain stability and develop innovative dosage forms. They also use in-house models to simulate digestion and improve strain protection.
Expansion Details
The new laboratories will boost fermentation capacity and high-throughput screening, speeding up innovation. As part of the opening, Lallemand launched a program to acquire new strains with potential health benefits and assess production feasibility.
The renovations include acquiring a new micro-bioreactor, which facilitates faster experiments and the ability to handle new strains, particularly those from the intestinal microbiota.
“This advancement aims to intensify bioprocess research, develop new recipes and integrate new strains into our catalog,” Binda said.
The space also features specific and independent air management, slight depressurization and an airlock at the entrance, creating an optimal environment.
“This extension allows us to work more efficiently, conducting more tests to optimize production conditions and promote the growth of new bacterial strains,” Binda added. “Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the metabolism and genetics.”
The Biotics Revolution
Lallemand focuses on the next generation of probiotics and live biotherapeutic products as part of the "biotics revolution".
Advances in microbiome research have led to the identification of beneficial commensal bacteria, known as next-generation probiotics (NGPs), which are linked to improved human health.
Recent regulatory approvals open up opportunities for these microbiome-based products to enhance well-being in various health areas.
Binda noted, however, that producing NGPs is challenging due to their sensitivity to oxygen, specific nutritional needs and susceptibility to mechanical stress.
“Given that at least 70% of human gut microbiome species remain uncharacterized, participating in initiatives aimed at better understanding the gut microbiome is crucial,” she said.
Lallemand aims to strengthen its role in the microbiome field by actively participating in scientific and regulatory activities such as key initiatives like the European Microbiome Innovation for Health, HARMI, Ferments du Futur and the French Gut project.
The French Gut project, initiated by INRAe-MetaGenoPolis, aims to collect and analyze 100,000 French intestinal metagenomes, along with nutritional and clinical data, to explore the connections between microbiota, diet and lifestyle.
Lallemand also collaborates with startups like Nimble Science, with a recently announced clinical study to assess the efficacy of the probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis R0179 in alleviating SIBO symptoms using the innovative SIMBA capsule for direct sampling of the small intestine.
Holistic Health
As the self-care movement drives consumers toward proactive health choices, the hunt for holistic well-being will stimulate innovations in the microbiome space, Binda said.
“Scientific communities and consumers alike recognize the gut microbiome as an organ with significant potential impact on overall health and specific conditions,” she noted. “Research in this area has surged radically over the past decade, with publications increasing from under 400 in 2013 to over 25,000 in 2023.”
In addition, by leveraging innovative microorganisms, Lallemand aims to reduce carbon emissions, decrease the use of antibiotics and chemical preservatives, increase plant proteins in diets and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
