Bactolife: Pioneering a New Era in Gut Health with Binding Proteins

Bactolife, a promising startup from Denmark, is on a transformative mission to introduce a groundbreaking category of gut health products featuring binding proteins. The company is poised to launch its inaugural lineup in the US market in the coming year.

Understanding Gut Health: Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Beyond

In the realm of gut health, probiotics—live microorganisms that provide health benefits—play a pivotal role by adding beneficial bacteria to the gut. Prebiotics, on the other hand, serve as nourishment for these beneficial microbes. Conversely, antibiotics are less discerning, often eradicating both harmful and beneficial bacteria, leading to significant disruptions in the microbiome.

Bactolife’s innovative approach involves binding proteins, which operate as precision instruments targeting undesirable microbes. These proteins selectively attach to harmful metabolites produced by unhealthy microbes, effectively preventing them from breaching the gut barrier.

According to Bactolife, once these binding proteins latch onto their targets, the associated unhealthy metabolites are guided through the gastrointestinal tract for elimination without causing harm. The idea is inspired by immunoglobulin fragments found in the milk of camelids, which are known for their immune health benefits.

Unique Mechanism of Action

Liz Spence, recently appointed to lead Bactolife’s US operations, elaborates on the structural benefits of immunoglobulins from camelids. These proteins consist of a straightforward structure with a targeted binding activity, making them small and stable.

“What excites me about Bactolife is its unique technology coupled with a clear mode of action. We’re introducing a proactive gut health solution with widespread applicability,” Spence notes. Having raised $50 million to date, Bactolife enjoys backing from influential investors such as Novo Holdings, ATHOS, and the Gates Foundation.

“We expect to achieve self-GRAS status for our first two binding proteins by mid-next year, with initial partnership agreements already secured for our product launch.”

Addressing Leaky Gut Concerns

Despite the novelty of binding proteins, Spence recognizes the growing consumer awareness that harmful bacteria can lead to digestive disturbances, commonly understood as “leaky gut.” This knowledge opens avenues for Bactolife to connect with various consumer segments—from travelers and stressed individuals to the elderly, who often struggle with gut health due to age-related immune changes.

“Our initial binding protein is designed to assist individuals with compromised gut health—especially those recently treated with antibiotics or elderly patients in nursing homes,” Spence explains. “We’re also exploring metabolites linked to common strains of E. coli.

Strategic Market Entry

Unlike probiotics, which can be compromised in many food applications, Bactolife’s binding proteins are heat and pH stable, allowing for their incorporation into diverse food and supplement products at low doses (100-200 milligrams). “These proteins are vegan-friendly, allergen-free, and lactose-free,” adds Spence.

“Our go-to-market strategy focuses on partnerships with supplement brands, particularly those oriented towards healthcare practitioners. Eventually, we aim to collaborate with medical nutrition and functional food and beverage companies. Our goal is to maintain cost competitiveness against not just purified bovine colostrum, but also other gut health products currently available.”

Bactolife is actively engaging with potential partners interested in creating formulations that integrate binding proteins with existing gut health ingredients, such as pre- and probiotics.

“We envision binding proteins as a proactive tool for rebalancing gut health. If someone anticipates a stressful journey, incorporating this product preemptively can help maintain gut equilibrium throughout,” emphasizes Spence.

Claims may encompass “supporting a healthy gut barrier” or “maintaining microbiota diversity,” reinforced by solid in-vitro and in-vivo data, along with ongoing human studies for consumer tolerance and efficacy.

Educating Consumers on the Gut Microbiome

Spence acknowledges that widespread consumer education will be crucial for the successful introduction of binding proteins into the market. “There’s been a remarkable surge in consumer interest regarding the microbiome and its influence on health, as evidenced by the recent popularity of prebiotics in mainstream products,” she concludes.

Further Reading

• Verb Biotics on next-gen biotics: ‘We’re function-first, and we’re not tied into any one organism or flagship strain’
• BiomEdit raises $18.4m Series B to expand designer probiotics platform
• Designer probiotics startup ZBiotics has sold 8 million ‘pre-alcohol’ shots and launched a new ‘sugar to fiber’ product