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Novonesis and Novo Nordisk have established a research collaboration aimed at developing innovative solutions to enhance wellbeing through microbiome science.

The partnership seeks to explore the intricate relationships between gut health and metabolic conditions, including obesity and its associated complications.

The collaboration will focus on creating synbiotic food supplements that combine probiotics and prebiotics, targeting critical health parameters such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits, while prebiotics serve as the essential fuel for these beneficial microbes. This dual approach aims to leverage the gut microbiome's potential to improve metabolic health outcomes.

Henrik Joerck Nielsen, executive vice president of human health biosolutions and strategy at Novonesis, said: “At Novonesis, we are committed to advancing our understanding of the human microbiome and its crucial role in digestion, immunity, mood and overall wellbeing. This collaboration with Novo Nordisk will deepen our insights into the gut microbiome’s role in metabolic health and help us identify innovative products that support it.”

Obesity, increasingly recognised as a chronic disease by the World Health Organization, is linked to over 200 health complications, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The partnership aims to not only develop effective synbiotic products but also to investigate how the gut microbiome can be used to monitor and predict individual health trajectories. This includes exploring novel biomarkers to assess the efficacy of microbiome-based interventions.

Professor Nadeem Sarwar, corporate vice president and head of the Transformational Prevention Unit in Obesity at Novo Nordisk, added: “Obesity is a complex disease influenced by multiple factors, including hormones and genetics. Our understanding of the gut's role in maintaining metabolic health is evolving, and this collaboration is crucial for developing scalable, science-based solutions to prevent obesity and its consequences.”

As part of its holistic approach to combating obesity, Novo Nordisk is committed to building multi-sector partnerships that foster innovation in preventive health solutions.

The collaboration with Novonesis aligns with this mission, aiming to deliver impactful biosolutions that promote long-term health across various life stages.