Our journey in the microbiome domain started in
2015. We had launched our company, Leucine Rich Bio pvt ltd. in the Silicon
Valley of India, Bengaluru in the late half of 2014. We integrated our
expertise in genomics, systems biology, molecular biology, information
technology and bioinformatics to build a robust system that could address the
challenges of the microbiome domain. We curated tons of research papers to
build our own databases (Microbyte and Nutribyte) which contained information
on the various aspects of the microbiota, their link to diseases, nutrients in
food etc. Next challenge was to develop algorithms and matrices that would take
the raw data from next generation sequencing machines as input and provide an
actionable output in the form of a report utilizing the data from our in-house
databases. That’s how South Asia’s first microbiome test, BugSpeaks was
launched in mid-2018. Also, in early 2021, we launched India’s first gut
microbiome data-based nutraceutical line, Rychbiome. It gives us immense pride
that we could become this region’s first microbiome company and in doing so
also helped spread awareness on this very important aspect.
So,
what have been our challenges? Well, microbiome domain is very complicated and
it required a great mix of expertise from various quarters to pull this off.
Running a deep science based startup in India has its challenges. Although in
the last few years the startup ecosystem has evolved yet it has still miles to
go for it to become mature like in the West. Then there was lack of awareness
as this domain was new. Interestingly, people in general, in India know a lot
about the importance of gut health as our ancient scriptures like Ayurveda
emphasized on keeping the gut healthy. Most people in India eat a variety of
fermented foods as part of their routine diet thereby taking care of their gut!
however, the fact that one can now profile one’s gut microflora and based on
that could take certain actionable steps to improve their health and wellness
was very new to them. We also found a lack of interest from majority of the
investment community in India. This may be again because this field was new and
there were no yardsticks to compare us with. But I feel now things are changing
and I hope investors in India can see the potential of this domain and how it
can change the way healthcare functions!
So,
what are the advantages that we have? First, India is very diverse. The gene
pool, the food habits, the climate, everything adds tremendous value to the
microbiome data. Secondly, India is rich source of skilled and talented
workforce. We are already an IT major and we have tremendous skilled force in
the biotechnology and life-science domains as well. Such combination is hard to
find by and expensive in other parts of the world.
Where
do we see the microbiome space going? We feel this domain can revolutionize the
healthcare paradigm. Currently it is more commonly associated with the wellness
category but it has the potential to provide diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic
solutions in gastroenterology, oncology, mental health and women health!
We feel India is in the cusp of providing major
breakthroughs in various fields and microbiome domain is no different provided
the government and investor community support this space!
This opinion piece was published in Express Healthcare -
https://www.expresshealthcare.in/blogs/guest-blogs-healthcare/microbiome-domain-a-journey-and-perspective-from-india/431244/
