GUTolution's AI-powered tech drives personalised solutions for gut health

The biotech’s algorithm aids in customised recommendations by determining disease risks via one’s gut profile.

BIOTECH start-up GUTolution is on a mission to extend healthspans way beyond the silver years, through test kits and probiotics enhanced by technologies that allow for a more customised experience.

With an emphasis on personalisation, the start-up utilises next-generation sequencing to profile gut microbiomes via home test samples to assess which bacteria are abundant or lacking in one’s gut health.

GUTolution’s research head, Gurinder Vinner, told Healthcare Asia that they use an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to determine an individual’s potential disease risks and biological age based on gut profiles, whilst working with medical professionals to give appropriate recommendations.

“What sets us apart is that we make personalised, customised probiotics, given your gut profile, essentially to refresh and maintain your gut health to give you a better lifestyle and improve overall health,” Vinner said.

Meanwhile, Akin Smith, the start-up’s business development head, noted that their tech not only encompasses physical health, but mental health as well.

“Some of the serotonin and dopamine that your body uses is also manufactured within the gut, so it affects pretty much everything,” Smith said.

Outlook on gut health

Having been on the market since September last year, GUTolution aims to strengthen its market in Hong Kong and the rest of Asia.

When asked about the business’s motivation, Smith cited a past report that revealed two out of every five people in Hong Kong have a moderate to severe gut microbiome imbalance, leading to various health issues.

“This lack of insight is associated with a lot of different diseases, including cancer and eczema and I have seen people suffer in silence, not aware of how their gut leads to all these things,” Smith said.

Vinner emphasised personalised medicine as the way forward within the health industry.

“If you’re not going to speak to a clinician about little things that are affecting your mood and your lifestyle, something like our tech gives you control over your well-being, enabling you to take action straight away,” she said.

“With probiotics, your gut is your second brain, and it directly affects your lifestyle and well-being, and if you can make small changes to improve that, then I think that's a big win for the community and the world as a whole,” she added.