Skip to content
Alberto Noronha, Co-Founder and CEO of NIUM
Wara Samar

10th October 2024

Discovering Gut Health: NIUM’s Game-Changing Approach

Did you know that our gut is home to trillions of microbes? These tiny organisms, known collectively as the microbiome, play an essential role in our overall health. In fact, the human body can be described as a “superorganism” because we are made up of more microbial cells than human cells—up to 100 trillion microbes, with about 90% of them residing in our gut. The relationship between the microbiome and health is profound, influencing everything from digestion to disease resistance. Yet, the full potential of this microbial world remains largely untapped.

This is where NIUM comes in, aiming to reshape our understanding of gut health and revolutionize the food industry through cutting-edge microbiome research.

The Gut-Health Connection

Gut health is not just about digestion. It impacts immunity, mental health, and even the development of chronic diseases. As science uncovers more about the microbiome’s influence on various health conditions, the need for precise, data-driven methods to analyze its complexities becomes critical. Current models often fail to grasp the full extent of how our diet influences the microbiome, leaving a gap in the ability to innovate solutions.

Alberto Noronha, Co-Founder and CEO of NIUM, believes gut health holds the key to reshaping our approach to nutrition. He says,

At NIUM, we view gut health as foundational to the future of nutrition. Our mission is to bring precision into understanding how the food we eat impacts our microbiome, and in turn, our overall health.”

NIUM recently completed its Seed funding round, a key milestone made possible with BeAngels as the lead investor, joined by the Luxembourg Business Angel Network (LBAN) and a consortium of private investors.

NIUM’s Groundbreaking Approach

As a spin-off from the University of Luxembourg, NIUM is blending advanced microbiome science with innovative technology. One of its most exciting projects is the development of a simulator of digestion called “microGUT”, a patented gut-on-a-chip technology. This revolutionary tool replicates the digestion process in the lab, allowing food and ingredient testing to determine their effects on gut health. By offering detailed insights into how specific ingredients interact with the microbiome, NIUM opens the door to innovations in gut health, immunity, and preclinical applications.

Adam Selamnia, NUTRITION and Alberto Noronha
Adam Selamnia, Co-founder & BDO of NIUM and Alberto Noronha, Founder & CEO of NIUM

NIUM’s technology is already being applied in commercial settings, particularly in the food industry. Companies use the simulator to test the impact of their products on gut health, gaining critical insights that were previously out of reach with legacy technologies. The business model is simple: NIUM offers this service to food companies and probiotic producers, charging a fee per test.

Beyond Food: Expanding Horizons

While NIUM’s initial focus is on the food industry, the potential applications of its technology are far-reaching. The global microbiome market is rapidly expanding, with the European market alone valued at €14 billion. NIUM has its sights set on pharma, where its technology could be used to test drugs and their interactions with the microbiome. Currently operating like a Contract Research Organization (CRO), NIUM aims to evolve into a product-based company, offering devices, consumables, and software pipelines to labs worldwide.

A Vision for the Future

Alberto Noronha’s vision for NIUM goes beyond its current role in microbiome research. He sees a future where NIUM’s technology is the backbone of microbiome studies across the globe, empowering researchers to uncover new treatments and solutions for a variety of health challenges. While this is a long-term goal, Noronha is focused on creating value for investors and partners along the way, through potential collaborations with hardware companies and distribution deals.

As the company continues to grow, NIUM is poised to play a pivotal role in the food and pharmaceutical industries, offering transformative insights into gut health that could revolutionize both sectors. With its cutting-edge technology and ambitious goals, NIUM is truly at the forefront of the next phase of the health revolution.

Join the MedTech Revolution at MedTech Malta 2024

For those interested in exploring the future of health and technology, MedTech Malta 2024 is the perfect platform to connect with pioneering companies and discover the latest breakthroughs in the industry. Join global thought leaders, innovators, and investors this November to be part of the conversation that is redefining healthcare. Register today and take a front-row seat in the evolution of medtech.

MedTech Malta 2024