“Part of the way the funding helps fuel our next phase of growth is by enabling us to bring on top industry talent to harness our microbiome database and further build out our AI platform for new ingredient identification and product development,” Kristin Wilhoyte, vice president of B2B marketing, told NutraIngredients.
The latest funding round included investment by Luxembourg-based Praesidium, which promotes environmental and social sustainability in the agriculture and food industries, and Sparkfood by Sonae, a multinational Portuguese holding.
“At Sparkfood, we invest in groundbreaking companies that push the boundaries of health and microbiome science,” said Jean-Baptiste Bachelerie, CEO of Sparkfood. “Biohm Technologies is at the forefront of this space, pioneering solutions that integrate bacterial and fungal research to transform gut health. We are excited to support their mission in shaping the future of wellness through cutting-edge innovation.”
Bacteria and fungi in the gut
Biohm was founded in 2016 by Afif Ghannoum and his father, Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, a globally recognized microbiome researcher. Dr. Ghannoum’s research on the complex relationship between fungi and bacteria in the gut, fueled in large part by the company’s at-home gut microbiome testing data, is the foundation for Biohm’s solutions in probiotics. Biohm Technologies also offers its comprehensive microbiome gut testing kits as a private label solution for brands in the health and wellness space.
The company’s data-driven methodology, called Symbiont, is the basis for the development and commercialization of ingredients validated through clinical trials. The company’s flagship ingredient is Mycohsa, a probiotic blend shown to break down digestive biofilms and support bacteria and yeast levels for gut health.
New VP of Science and Technology
Biohm announced the appointment of Dr. John Deaton last week, noting that he is tasked with leading the expansion of microbiome technology solutions, including ingredients, gut health testing, and data-driven supplement formulations.
Dr. Deaton brings more than 17 years of expertise in microbial and enzyme research, with a career spanning probiotics, prebiotics and biotechnological applications. Previously, he served as Vice President of R&D for North America at ADM/Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, leading innovations in human wellness, agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and animal nutrition.
“John’s career innovating in the microbiome space is inspiring, and his experience is tremendously relevant to our work,” said Sam Schatz, CEO of Biohm. “As we scale our technologies and expand our industry partnerships, his leadership will be instrumental in driving our next-generation microbiome solutions and reinforcing Biohm’s position as a pioneer in gut health research.”
“Biohm’s unique approach to microbiome science—integrating both bacterial and fungal populations—sets it apart in the industry,” said Dr. Deaton. “I’m excited to join a team that is redefining how we understand and harness the microbiome to improve health.”
