Novonesis, Novo Nordisk partner on gut microbiome research to advance metabolic health
Synbiotic food supplements, composed of probiotics and prebiotics, will be developed and tested for their ability to affect health parameters such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
DENMARK – Novonesis and Novo Nordisk have announced a research partnership to explore the role of the gut microbiome in maintaining metabolic health.
The gut microbiome, comprising trillions of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, plays a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.
In recent years, scientific understanding of the microbiome has expanded significantly, highlighting its influence on human health in areas ranging from metabolic processes to mood regulation.
Through this collaboration, Novonesis and Novo Nordisk will work closely to identify solutions that preserve and optimize metabolic health via the gut microbiome.
One of the main areas of focus will be the development of synbiotic food supplements, which combine probiotics, living microorganisms that provide health benefits, with prebiotics, the “fuel” that helps sustain them.
These supplements will be tested for their potential to improve key metabolic health parameters such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
The research will also investigate how the gut microbiome can be used to monitor and predict long-term health trajectories.
In addition, the two companies will seek to identify novel biomarkers that can measure the effectiveness of microbiome-targeted interventions.
Henrik Joerck Nielsen, Executive Vice President for Human Health Biosolutions & Strategy at Novonesis, explained that advancing microbiome research remains a central priority for the company.
“At Novonesis, we are committed to deepening our understanding of the human microbiome and the crucial role it plays in digestion, immunity, mood, and overall well-being,” he said.
He added that the partnership offers an opportunity to investigate how the microbiome influences metabolic health and to develop innovative biosolutions that can improve health across various life stages.
The collaboration also comes at a time when the World Health Organization recognizes obesity as a chronic, progressive disease.
With more than 200 related health complications, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, obesity remains one of the most pressing global health challenges.
Professor Nadeem Sarwar, Corporate Vice President and Head of the Transformational Prevention Unit in Obesity at Novo Nordisk, emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing preventive strategies.
“Obesity is a complex disease driven by multiple factors, including hormones and genetics,” he noted, while pointing out that the gut plays an increasingly recognized role in maintaining metabolic health and reducing obesity risk.
Sarwar further explained that prevention is a cornerstone of Novo Nordisk’s holistic approach to tackling obesity. The Transformational Prevention Unit, he said, aims to deliver scalable, science-based solutions to predict and pre-empt obesity in at-risk populations.
“We cannot achieve this mission alone,” he added, stressing that partnerships like the one with Novonesis are vital for developing impactful solutions that support long-term health.
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