The company’s precision-fermented Helm Binding Proteins recently entered the U.S. market through Healthgevity’s GUTgevity supplement, but Bactolife is positioning the technology for wider use alongside probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics.
Speaking to NutraIngredients, Sandra Wingaard Thrane, co-founder and chief scientific officer at Bactolife, explained that the proteins target compounds produced by gut microorganisms rather than directly introducing or feeding beneficial bacteria.
A different target in the gut
“The microbes in our gut are small factories, which continuously convert nutrients in our food into metabolites that modulate the gut environment,” Thrane said.
While some metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and vitamins, support gut health, others can interfere with the intestinal barrier and contribute to inflammation, she explained.
Helm Binding Proteins are designed to bind harmful protein metabolites before they interact with the gut lining.
Thrane said Bactolife uses its understanding of protein structure and advanced screening methods to evaluate hundreds of candidates for their ability to bind specific targets.
“This enables us to develop targeted ingredients designed to address specific interactions in the gut environment,” she said.
The company has not disclosed which individual metabolites its commercial ingredient targets.
First human results approaching
Bactolife has investigated the technology using human gut cell lines, animal models and simulated human gut systems containing samples from healthy donors.
According to Thrane, these studies have demonstrated effects on gut barrier function, immune responses and beneficial bacterial growth.
Importantly, the company studies the complete ingredient, which contains both immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding proteins and metabolites produced during precision fermentation.
“Our first human intervention studies are underway, and we will have data from the first three studies within the next six months, with the first one concluding by the end of 2026,” Thrane said.
Until those results are available, the ingredient’s proposed gut health benefits are supported by preclinical evidence rather than completed human intervention studies.
From practitioners to consumers
Bactolife’s first U.S. commercial partner, Healthgevity, has incorporated Helm IgG Binding Protein LT into its GUTgevity supplement, initially targeting healthcare practitioners.
Liz Spence, senior vice president and U.S. general manager at Bactolife, told NI that the channel offered an opportunity to introduce an unfamiliar mechanism to practitioners working with people experiencing ongoing digestive concerns.
She also highlighted the ingredient’s solubility, temperature and pH stability, low daily intake requirements and compatibility with other gut health ingredients, including human milk oligosaccharides and lactoferrin.
“We are also actively entering the broader consumer dietary supplement market, with subsequent launches soon to be announced,” Spence said.
While Bactolife sees further opportunities in functional foods and beverages, Spence acknowledged that explaining the science behind binding proteins will be a challenge in an already crowded gut health market.
The forthcoming human studies will be an important test of whether Bactolife can translate its preclinical findings into evidence supporting the use of binding proteins as a distinct category of gut health ingredients.
