Imagine a world where technology, powered by the latest advances in science and behavioral psychology, serves as a force for good, enhancing our well-being and steering us toward a more harmonious existence. At Niremia Collective, our mission is to bring this vision to life by investing in startups that develop innovative mental health solutions, promote new ways of working, support healthy aging, and advance human-centric urban design.
The gut-brain axis is one of the most exciting paths to tackle global mental health challenges. At Niremia Collective, we are proud to support Holobiome, a trailblazing biotech company that is translating the emerging science of the human microbiome into the next generation of probiotics for whole-body health.
Founded by research scientists from Northeastern University, Holobiome aims to build the largest collection of human gut bacteria, decipher their biological roles, and develop the most beneficial ones into drugs and consumer health products. Their lead program targets a gut bacterium that, in animal models, has shown antidepressant effects comparable to ketamine. With human trials slated for early 2025, Holobiome is poised to make significant strides in combating depression.
The role of the human microbiome, especially the gut microbiome, is profound, influencing everything from our immune response and digestion to brain health. Recent studies have linked gut bacteria to a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and autism.
“We believe that the future of health is microbial, and if we can capture the power of microbial passengers, we will have the ability to defeat disease,” says Holobiome founder Philip Strandwitz. “This is what Holobiome intends to figure out.”
The opportunities are immense, with the global $85 billion probiotic market dominated by products that barely scratch the surface of the microbiome's potential, says Stradwitz. With over 5,000 known bacterial gut species, only a fraction (about 1,000) have been cultured, with about 30 available as probiotics.
"Imagine hearing about a grocery store called the Human Microbiome, with magical offerings and health recipes. But today, it's like walking into that store and only finding ketchup and carrots," says Strandwitz. "Those things are not going to make you a steak dinner."
Holobiome envisions a future where we can understand and manipulate our microbial makeup to develop "superhero microbes” that protect us from depression, Alzheimer's, and even obesity. The company’s business strategy involves building a robust research platform to identify those wonder microbes, collaborating with large food and pharmaceutical corporations to bring them to market.
Last year, Holobiome announced a research collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. to develop next-generation probiotics and prebiotics, aimed at supporting infant and maternal immune health. Additionally, the startup has partnered with the global consumer goods company Unilever to identify food and beverage ingredients that aid in stress management, building on their insights into gut bacteria that produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter essential for regulating mood and anxiety.
At Niremia Collective, we are thrilled to support Holobiome on this groundbreaking journey, which holds the promise of transforming millions of lives. By backing such pioneering startups, we solidify our commitment to advancing human health and well-being through innovative, holistic approaches.
Updates:
2024/10/09: PR Newswire
