The three companies will present on stage at the IPA world Congress + Probiota in Copenhagen (Feb 5-7).
The competition seeks out the most promising brands offering innovations in the probiotic, prebiotic, and microbiome fields, and awards them full access to Probiota 2025, a presentation spot on the main stage as well as a spot in a live panel discussion, and brand presence in the Pioneers Hub.
Past winners have said that “Probiota is the premier event in our industry”, that “Probiota provides a rare chance to engage with probiotic science pioneers”, and that it is a “unique networking opportunity with the biggest names in probiotics.”
This opportunity has been awarded to three chosen brands working to improve microbiome health: Alba Health; Migalis ApS; and Perseus Biomics.
Early life health solutions
Alba Health aims to offer parents actionable insights to optimize their child’s gut microbiome, by utilizing microbiome science and AI.
The Danish-Swedish company has developed an at-home test to allow parents to understand the microbiome’s role in their child’s immunity, metabolism, and cognitive development. Test results generate science-backed strategies and meal recommendations tailored to improve the child’s gut health.
By collecting anonymized data, they aim to advance research on the role of the microbiome in early life health and offer solutions that may help prevent chronic conditions before they start.
Nora Cavani, founder and CEO told NutraIngredients, “We are incredibly honored to be recognized as a Pioneer Winner by Probiota, the leading event in microbiome innovation.
“We are proud to leverage large longitudinal studies on the infant microbiome with over 300,000 associated with lifestyle and health - this recognition inspires us to continue advancing this critical field.”
Enhancing gut and mitochondrial health
Danish company Migalis ApS specializes in developing food supplements that enhance gut health and mitochondrial activity. It combines pomegranate extract with Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), a patent-pending formula that promotes the production of urolithin A.
This metabolite, derived from ellagitannins found in pomegranate peel, facilitates mitophagy—the clearance of damaged mitochondria—and supports the generation of new mitochondria, improving overall cell function.
Approximately 50% of individuals over 40 struggle to produce sufficient urolithin A. By naturally enhancing urolithin production, Migalis aims to improve gut health, cellular function, and energy levels—key drivers of healthy aging.
Mads Bjørnhof, co-owner and CCO, said “To be selected as a Probiota Pioneer is a most important recognition of our gut-mitochondria venture.”
He explained that as a small company, Migalis is seeking strong collaboration with ingredient suppliers, manufacturers, investors, and scientists, and participating as a Probiota Pioneer will help us showcase its product to relevant partners.
“When we look back in a few years, Probiota 2025 could very well be the event that took our company to the next level, both in terms of network and growth,” he said.
Microbiome profiling technology for strain classification
Perseus Biomics is a Belgian start-up aiming to revolutionize the microbiome field through its advanced optical mapping-based technology platform, DynaMAP.
DynaMAP aims to revolutionize microbiome profiling through advanced fluorocoding and optical mapping technology. It leverages unique patterns of short nucleotide repeats (4 to 6 k-mers) along microbial genomes to create robust taxonomic barcodes.
This enables precise, strain-level taxonomic classification within three hours, without the need for DNA amplification or library preparation.
Arno Bouwens, R&D director told NutraIngredients: “Being named a Probiota Pioneer is an incredible recognition of Perseus Biomics' efforts to push the boundaries of microbiome research.
“This acknowledgment reinforces our dedication to addressing the industry’s challenges and contributing to meaningful progress in microbiome-based innovation.”
Get Your Tickets for IPA World Congress + Probiota 2025
There’s still time to get tickets for the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2025 and see the Pioneers in action. The three-day event is centered around innovations and research in probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiome science.
This congress aims to bring together experts, researchers, and industry leaders to explore cutting-edge advancements, market insights, and future directions in the microbiome field. It promises dynamic sessions, stimulating roundtable lunch discussions, and a renowned social evening.
Book your place today and don’t miss the chance to delve into cutting-edge microbiome insights and networking opportunities.