Leucine Rich Bio.
In the heart of Bengaluru, India's Silicon Valley, a group of scientists began a groundbreaking mission in 2014. Their goal was to unlock the secrets of the human microbiome. Leucine Rich Bio was founded by Kumar Sankaran, Prabhath Manjappa, Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, and their dedicated team. It has since become South Asia's first microbiome company.
Over the past 11 years, the company has advanced healthcare through products like BugSpeaks and Rychbiome. The journey has included remarkable achievements and persistent challenges. It has also remained focused on preventive and personalized medicine. This article highlights its flagship brands, accolades, accreditations, and "World of Microbiome" conference.
The Genesis of Leucine Rich Bio
Leucine Rich Bio was born in August 2014. The company initially focused on genomic data-based solutions in the oncology domain. Soon enough, the founders saw that there was huge potential in the microbiome, especially the gut microbiome. The skills of the founders comprised bioinformatics, biology, and data science.
The founders were Kumar Sankaran, CEO, Prabhath Manjappa, CPO, and Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, Director of Business Development and Innovation. The skills of the founders put them in a position where they could venture into this new area. This shift was motivated by the increasing awareness of the importance of the microbiome for health and well-being.
The company's mission was clear. It aimed to shift healthcare from a reactive "sick care" model to proactive "health care." This meant harnessing the potential of the microbiome. The vision led to South Asia's first gut microbiome test, BugSpeaks, in 2018.
The company later launched Rychbiome, India's first microbiome data-based nutraceutical brand. Leucine Rich Bio has since grown from a small startup into a globally recognized microbiome research company. This growth came despite challenges such as limited funding. Its work continues to focus on preventive and personalized healthcare.
BugSpeaks®: A Game-Changer in Gut Health
BugSpeaks®, Leucine Rich Bio's flagship product, is a non-invasive gut microbiome test. It can be used at home and uses next-generation sequencing. Proprietary algorithms analyze the microbial composition of the gut. The test provides a detailed report based on this analysis.
The report includes a "disease susceptibility index" for up to 15 conditions. These include inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and hypertension. It also provides personalized dietary and supplement recommendations. This allows individuals to understand their gut microbiome in greater detail.
Clinical trials have demonstrated its potential in microbiome-based dietary interventions. One such study was published in PeerJ and involved hyperglycemia patients. BugSpeaks® has also gained international traction through exports. These markets include Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, and Brazil.
Its DIY format has made the test accessible to consumers. Its clinically verified results have also supported its adoption. Users include health-conscious individuals, celebrities, and patients managing chronic conditions. BugSpeaks® will now expand into skin, oral, and vaginal microbiome domains.
Rychbiome: Personalizing Nutrition for Indian Guts
Rychbiome is India's first microbiome data-driven nutraceutical brand. It was launched in 2021 as a complement to BugSpeaks®. Its flagship product, Rychbiome Indus, is a synbiotic. Combining probiotics and prebiotics based on Indian gut microbiome data.
This product is designed to tackle deficiencies of seven probiotics which are found in low concentrations in the Indian population. This product is associated with better digestion, less bloating, and improved overall health and wellbeing. According to customer testimonials, this product is associated with several benefits, including improved energy levels, softer stool, and less discomfort.
Rychbiome Indus is developed based on a data-driven approach. The development process was associated with data analysis from more than 1,000 BugSpeaks® customers. In 2022-23, the demand for this product increased by 101% compared to last year. This reflected its growing popularity among consumers.
The Rychbiome brand will now include newer products for different segments. For eg. Rycbiome skim microbiome balance cream is a microbiome science-based formulation. It helps to balance the skin microbiota. Products such as probiotic supplements for 50+ men and 50+ women will also expand the brand's portfolio.
Accolades and Accreditations: A Testament to Excellence
Leucine Rich Bio's contributions to microbiome science have received several recognitions. In 2021, the company received the National Startup Award in the Health and Wellness sector. The award was constituted by the Government of India. It recognized the company's work in microbiome diagnostics and therapeutics.
The company has also received two Frost & Sullivan Awards. The first came in 2016 for cloud-enabled technology in genomics in the APAC region. The second followed in 2019 for microbiome diagnostics innovation. The SuperStartUp Asia 2019 Award further recognized its regional impact.
Leucine Rich Bio also maintains several quality certifications and accreditations. These include ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certifications. They reflect its commitment to rigorous standards in testing and calibration. The company also holds NABH accreditation.
