Novonesis and Novo Nordisk have entered into a research collaboration aimed at studying the role of the gut microbiome in supporting metabolic health. The gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, naturally resides in the human gut and is increasingly recognized for its influence on multiple aspects of human health. Over the past years, scientific research on the microbiome and its impact on health has grown substantially.
As part of this partnership, the two companies will work together to develop and test synbiotic food supplements — combinations of probiotics and prebiotics — designed to help maintain and optimize metabolic health. Probiotics are beneficial live microorganisms, while prebiotics act as the nutrients that fuel their growth. These supplements will be evaluated for their potential to positively influence health indicators such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
The collaboration will also explore how the gut microbiome could serve as a tool to monitor and predict both metabolic and overall health outcomes. Another area of focus will be the identification of novel biomarkers to measure the effectiveness of gut microbiome-based solutions.
“At Novonesis, we are committed to advancing our understanding of the human microbiome and the crucial role it plays in digestion, immunity, mood, well-being, and much more. This new collaboration with Novo Nordisk enables us to deepen our understanding of the gut microbiome’s role in maintaining metabolic health and to identify innovative products that support it. Together, we will conduct research on the gut microbiome for predictive purposes and strive to create impactful biosolutions that enhance health and well-being throughout life stages”, says Henrik Joerck Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Human Health Biosolutions & Strategy.
Obesity, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a chronic and progressive disease, is linked to more than 200 health complications, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is a multifactorial condition influenced by a variety of biological and environmental factors.
“Obesity is a complex disease driven by multiple factors, including our hormones and genetics, and we are becoming increasingly aware of the role the gut plays in maintaining metabolic health and thereby minimizing the risk of developing obesity,” says Professor Nadeem Sarwar, Corporate Vice President and Head of the Transformational Prevention Unit in Obesity at Novo Nordisk.
“Prevention is an integral part of Novo Nordisk’s sustainable and holistic approach to stop the global rise of obesity. The Transformational Prevention Unit’s mission is to deliver science-based and scalable commercial solutions to predict and pre-empt obesity and its consequences for people at greatest risk. We can’t do this alone – building novel, multi-sector partnerships is crucial to deliver impactful solutions. We are excited to work with Novonesis to explore strategies for promoting long-term health that may support us on our mission.”