Following the announcement of Lallemand’s new R&D laboratories in France, Microbiome Times caught up with Sylvie Binda, VP of R&D to discuss the company’s goals and objectives.
Can you elaborate on how the new laboratories will enhance your interdisciplinary research, particularly in the fields of nutrition and human health?
The inauguration of this new research and development laboratories in both Blagnac and Beauzelle sites, France, represents a significant milestone in accelerating innovation. The research departments of the following business units: Specialty Cultures, Oenology, Animal Health, Human Health, and Plant Care, representing over 70 scientists, will benefit from these new spaces and technologies, enhancing interdisciplinary research. This expansion of over 800 square meters, coupled with the acquisition of new, state-of-the-art equipment, will enable Lallemand to strengthen its bioprocess innovation cluster and accelerate the development of next-generation strains.
The renovations also include the acquisition of a new micro-bioreactor, which facilitates faster experiments and the ability to handle new strains, particularly those from the intestinal microbiota. This advancement aims to intensify bioprocess research, develop new recipes, and integrate new strains into our catalog. Strengthening our fermentation process capabilities is a strategic priority for Lallemand. This commitment is reflected in the creation of laboratories of excellence, the training of teams, and the implementation of collaborative research programs aimed at leveraging complementary expertise to optimize the impact of our initiatives.
Another strength of this project is that it has been accomplished in collaboration with employees and close partners from diverse and complementary backgrounds, ensuring that everyone’s needs were considered. With over 300 m² of additional space (at our Blagnac site), these laboratories will enable the delivery of more projects and the industrial-scale transfer of innovations. Our focus remains on continuous improvement and collective evolution, fostering knowledge accumulation and the growth of everyone within the company.
What are the specific goals of the “ambitious research and development programs” mentioned, particularly in the nutrition sector?
Today, our R&D department is organized in 4 platforms : the bioprocess and galenic forms platforms based in Blagnac, and the pre-clinical and clinical platforms managed by The Rosell® Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics are located at the National Research Council of Canada (CNRC) in Montreal. Our reorganization in 2021 with a fusion of all these platforms was decided to accelerate the scientific understanding of probiotics nutritional applications and human health care. The expansion of these fields associated also to the increase knowledge on microbiome help to develop new candidate probiotic species and strengthen the ones already discovered with a data driven understanding.
Therefore, trough intensive investigation and collaborative studies, all of Lallemand Health Solutions scientists (more than 40 people now) aim to apply leading-edge technologies and innovative scientific approaches to the improvement of human health by understanding the interaction between people and their functional microbiome. Over the past twenty years, Lallemand Health Solutions has documented 40 proprietary bacteria strains in over 160 clinical studies leading to the publication of over 360 scientific articles. The five-year strategy, developed in 2022, is a new big plan with three axes called Confirm, Create and Construct. The main rationale behind is to be able to accelerate clinical research by reinforcing our translation capabilities and build a new portfolio with new strains and/or new data. Our ability to develop new strategies in microbiome modulating interventions push also the discoveries of postbiotics and synbiotics products.
The pre-clinical platform meets the need for a translational approach in understanding key characteristics and ultimately the mechanisms of action of our probiotic strains. Our in vitro research program is conducted in-house and is dedicated to strain identification and characterization, developing, and validating new analytical methods as well as to understanding host-microbe interactions and study microbiota modulation. Our in vivo research program is conducted either in-house using for example C. elegans model, or in collaboration with external scientific partners to increase the knowledge of probiotic strains with regards to safety and mode of action, to select strains for upcoming human studies, and to help explain clinical trial results. Regarding our clinical platform, Lallemand Health Solutions R&D team is rich of dedicated experts in clinical research. The Rosell® Institute participates in studies initiated by sponsors, clients, or investigators on Lallemand Health Solutions’ single or combined probiotic strains.
Our bioprocess and galenic forms platforms in our applied research center, focus on optimizing our production processes while maintaining bioactive effects of strains, applying a 4-level protection program, increasing strain stability, and developing innovative dosage forms. In these platforms, we also develop an in-house semi dynamic vitro digestion model to identify and confirm the impacts of new formulation on strain protection but also to follow interactions within the gastrointestinal tract. This simulation of digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract helps us to (re)adapt galenic approaches.
Since 2021, Lallemand Health Solutions also developed a microbiome program which will benefit from a new dedicated laboratory to focus on paving the way for next-generation probiotics and developing fermentation capabilities and dosage forms. Our dedicated team develops cultivation capabilities for microbiome-based strains that are identified as key next-generation species.
How will the new state-of-the-art equipment contribute to the development of next-generation strains for nutrition-related applications?
This expansion aims to enhance our bioprocess development by increasing capacity. We have invested in laboratory bioreactors and new equipment, including a high-throughput screening biolector, a cutting-edge tool for mastering anaerobic strains and accelerating development through more simultaneous tests.
Our new space, dedicated to the development of new strains, features specific and independent air management, slight depressurization, and an airlock at the entrance, creating an optimal environment. This extension allows us to work more efficiently, conducting more tests to optimize production conditions and promote the growth of new bacterial strains. Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the metabolism and genetics of these strains.
With these new laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment, we aim to increase fermentation capacity and high-throughput screening of fermentation conditions, facilitating and accelerating innovation. We have launched a program to acquire new strains selected for their potential health benefits and evaluate their production feasibility. It is crucial that the strains are in the best possible physiological state to withstand fermentation, concentration, drying, and storage, ensuring a concentration of live cells for 2 to 3 years at room temperature. We replicate these steps on a small and pilot scale to test the conditions determined in the laboratory. If the transfer is successful, we support the industrial teams in mastering the production process at the factory level.
What are some of the key microbial strains or innovations Lallemand is developing that could have a significant impact on human health and nutrition?
The emerging “biotics” revolution involves exploring the next generation of probiotics and live biotherapeutic products. Advances in our understanding of the microbiome have allowed the identification of beneficial commensal bacteria, known as next-generation probiotics (NGPs). Some of these specific commensal strains have been positively associated with human health. Furthermore, recent regulatory approvals are paving the way for next-generation microbiome-based products as potential solutions to improve well-being across various health areas. Producing NGPs can be highly challenging due to their oxygen sensitivity, specific nutritional requirements, and vulnerability to mechanical stressors.
Lallemand Health Solutions’ microbiome program is dedicated to developing next-generation probiotics, supported by an integrated research platform spanning in vitro and in vivo models to clinical studies. The in-house research team at Lallemand focuses on expertise related to over 15 next-generation species, demonstrating their commitment to overcoming well-known bottlenecks, particularly with strict anaerobes that are sensitive to oxygen exposure. Strains from key phyla such as Verrucomicrobia, Clostridia, Bacteroidetes, Negativicutes, and Firmicutes serve as valuable models for innovative processes.
Can you provide more details on the “collaborative research programs” mentioned in the release? Are there any partnerships with academic or industry leaders in nutrition?
Lallemand Health Solutions collaborates actively with leading research institutions, universities, and industry experts, worldwide. By fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and participating in groundbreaking studies, Lallemand remains at the forefront of microbiome research. Given that at least 70% of human gut microbiome species remain uncharacterized, participation in initiatives aimed at better understanding the gut microbiome is crucial. Lallemand Health Solutions has solidified its position in the microbiome field by actively engaging in scientific and regulatory discussions. Our R&D Vice-President holds key positions in renowned associations or projects such as the European Microbiome Innovation for Health (formerly known as Alliance Promotion Microbiome-APM), in HARMI (Harnessing Microbiomes for Sustainable Development), in Ferments du Futur and the French Gut project.
Initiated by INRAe-MetaGenoPolis, the French Gut project involves a consortium of public and private partners focused on collecting 100,000 French intestinal metagenomes, along with associated nutritional and clinical data, for analysis. This ambitious endeavor aims to deepen our understanding of the links between microbiota, diet, and lifestyle.
We are also collaborating with promising start ups, such as Nimble Science on various innovative projects. One of them is the recent launch of groundbreaking clinical study of probiotic efficacy on SIBO using the SIMBA capsule for direct sampling of the small intestine. With this study, Lallemand Health Solutions positions itself as a pioneer in probiotic research using non-invasive and direct tools to study the microbiome composition and potential health applications of probiotics in the small intestine. The study will evaluate the efficacy of the Bacillus subtilis R0179 strain at alleviating SIBO symptoms. In addition to using conventional methods of symptom tracking and stool microbiome analysis, the study will be a global first in assessing the probiotic’s impact in the small intestine using the SIMBA Capsule. This clinical trial is being conducted in collaboration with Nimble Science, the manufacturer of the new SIMBA Capsule, in Calgary, Canada. Dr. Christopher Andrews will act as the Principal Investigator and Drs. Eamonn Quigley (Houston Methodist, USA) and Jens Walters (Cork University, Ireland) as co-investigators. You can access the details of the study here: NCT06317441.
The Rosell® Institute works with key opinion leaders and develop partnerships with universities, hospitals, and research centers, hence supporting collaborative research, student internship programs and visiting scientists (sabbaticals, post-doctoral fellowships, etc.). Worldwide, scientific partnerships convert into supporting clinical trials by contributing to study design, supply of probiotics and placebo at no cost, samples analysis, and funding. We extend our gratitude to all our collaborators and participants committed for advancing research. We are currently conducting 25+ clinical trials in 11+ countries across 2,750+ enrolled participants with 2,500+ biological samples analyzing. Our global clinical studies consider diverse ethnicities, diets, customs, and microbiomes.
How do you see the demand for microbial solutions evolving in the human health and nutrition sectors, and how is Lallemand positioning itself to meet these needs?
At Lallemand, we firmly believe that microbial solutions can help us meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. We are all facing these challenges: climate change and feeding the entire planet are on the menu for the coming decades, and innovative microorganisms can play a key role in facing them. Among others, they can help us reduce carbon emissions, lower the use of antibiotics and chemical preservatives, increase the amount of plant proteins in our diet, and promote the use of microbial fertilizers or biological crop protection products that reduce the use of fossil products. Researching and developing the next generation of probiotics to promote further health benefits are also part of the solutions. To realize this potential, we reinvest 3 to 5% of our sales in research and development every year to support our teams of over 400 researchers in a dozen centers around the world. The expansion of our laboratories in the Toulouse region is part of this ongoing drive to extend our capabilities both internally and with external collaborators.
What emerging trends in microbiome research do you believe will shape the future of nutrition, and how is Lallemand preparing to capitalize on these trends?
As the self-care movement drives consumers toward proactive health choices, the hunt for holistic well-being will stimulate innovations in the microbiome space. Scientific communities and consumers alike recognize the gut microbiome as an organ with significant potential impact on overall health and specific conditions. Research in this area has surged radically over the past decade, with publications increasing from under 400 in 2013 to over 25,000 in 2023. As we look ahead, Lallemand Health Solutions leads the way with an ambitious research program aiming to further explore the microbiome and have a positive impact in human health research. Our probiotic solutions currently benefit all major health segments, including gut health, natural defenses, mental health, women’s health, skin health, oral health, metabolic health, sport and babies… and other studies are ongoing to further expend the benefits of probiotics.
About Lallemand Health Solutions
With company roots dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, Lallemand Health Solutions, one of Lallemand’s business units, specializes in the development, production and marketing of bacteria- and yeast-based probiotic supplements for human health, food applications, nutricosmetics and contract development and manufacturing (CDMO). With its manufacturing facilities adhering to the highest quality standards, including Good Manufacturing Practices, and its ambitious research program with the Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, Lallemand Health Solutions provides its partners with probiotic strains that are documented for various health applications including gut health, natural defenses, mental health, women’s health, skin health, oral health, metabolic health, and sport and babies’ applications. More than 600 probiotic formulas are currently marketed in more than 60 countries on five continents.
About Lallemand
Lallemand is a world leader in the development, production, and marketing of yeasts, bacteria, fungi, and their derivatives. The company has a microorganism bank that includes thousands of proprietary strains. With the aim of managing and optimizing fermentation processes, Lallemand offers its customers the precise microorganisms or derivatives that meet their unique needs, as well as the support, knowledge, and expertise that come from more than 160 years of continuous production, research, and development in this field. Lallemand’s international presence includes a global network of 49 yeast and bacteria, fungi, and specialty product plants, as well as research and development facilities, distribution centers, and sales offices in more than 50 countries on five continents, with more than 5,000 employees spread throughout its network.