Biocodex launches organizations for gut microbiota awareness, research

Biocodex announced the launch of two international programs focused on research and awareness of gut microbiota: the Biocodex Microbiota Institute and Biocodex Microbiota Foundation, according to a press release.

“We have been committed to providing top-quality research and product for decades, and these new initiatives solidify our promise to consumers and healthcare professionals,” Jean-Marie Lefèvre, president of Biocodex, said in the press release. “Microorganisms and microbiota shouldn't be polluted, they must be cultivated and protected with a focus not only on repairing, but also on preventing potential diseases. We are keen to satisfy worldwide regulations in each country we work with and continue our commitment to furthering research and are very excited for the future findings.”

According to the company, the mission of the Biocodex Microbiota Institute is to raise awareness in both the medical industry as well as the general public about the importance of the microbiota. The institute’s outreach plans include dedicated information tools such as websites, social media, newsletters and brochures. The information contained in their outreach efforts will be regularly updated as research advances and will be available in English, French and Spanish.

The mission of the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation, on the other hand, will be to fund research projects focused on the microbiota at both a national and international level. The foundation is self-funded and guided by an independent board of directors. Each year, a scientific committee of independent experts will evaluate projects submitted on a specific microbiota-related topic and will be select those to be supported and funded by the foundation. The topic for 2018 is “Liver Diseases and Gut Microbiota.”

“After the intestine, the liver is the most important organ when ‘talking’ to microbiota,” Harry Sokol, MD, PhD, from the Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris and chair of the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation Scientific Committee said in a company release as to the choice of 2018’s topic. “The liver is the interface between intestinal microbiota and the rest of the body in that [it] is the first organ met by microbiota-derived molecules before reaching the general circulation. Dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota can affect the liver directly, for example in cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, or even nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.”

Results of a study conducted by the BVA Group for Biocodex showed that while gastroenterologists, pediatricians and general practitioners had knowledge of what the microbiota and gut flora are or could at least provide a definition, health care professionals such as pharmacists were less informed and the general public has little recognition of the terms.

“Through the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation, we hope to contribute to microbiota research worldwide via scientific grants,” Marie-Emmanuelle Le Guern, MD, chairman of the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation, said in the company release. “The [foundation] will support fundamental clinical work on various aspects of human intestinal, cutaneous, vaginal or other specific microbiota.” – by Talitha Bennett

Reference: www.biocodexmicrobiotafoundation.com