Gut Microbiome testing now available in South Africa

Viome and Next Biosciences take personalised health to new levels with South Africa's first Microbiome Gut Intelligence® Test

Science shows there is a clear link between an individual’s gut microbiome and his or her overall health, as well as being strongly linked to most chronic diseases. To empower consumers, Next Biosciences, a leading South African biotech company, announced today a partnership with Viome, named the leading microbiome company of the year by Frost & Sullivan, to distribute its Gut Intelligence® Test in South Africa. Viome’s Gut Intelligence® Test analyses an individual’s microbiome and helps determine which foods a person should eat more of and which ones they should be minimising and avoiding based on their individual needs. Personalised supplement recommendations are included.

Viome leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence and metatranscriptomic technology developed at the prestigious Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, USA to sequence RNA (gene expression), a high-resolution view of both an individual’s microbial composition and activity. Combined with artificial intelligence, biological pathway analysis and translational science, this allows Viome to make personalised recommendations to help consumers balance their gut microbiome.

“Next Biosciences’ mission is to innovate and invest in future health possibilities that combine medicine, science and technology. The addition of Viome to our offering fits with our vision,” said Dr. Yvonne Holt, Chief Medical Officer of Next Biosciences. “We are excited to assist South Africans to make more informed choices based on the intelligence revealed by their gut microbiome.”

New technologies used by microbiologists to identify and analyse organisms like bacteria, viruses, archaea, and fungi are ushering in a new era of medicine and a new understanding of the forces at work within the body. Through this partnership between Viome and Next Biosciences, individuals are able to not only identify but also understand how certain microorganisms residing in the gut interact with the body and eventually impact overall health.

Order Viome's Gut Intelligence test kit today and have it delivered to your home. For more information, visit http://www.viome.co.za.

For more information, or to request interviews with spokespersons, kindly contact:Jenny GrieselJenny Griesel CommunicationsTel 083 406 3444 | jenny@jennygriesel.co.za

About Next BiosciencesNext Biosciences was founded 15 years ago and is a female led and owned South African biotech company. It operates in stem cell banking, genetic testing and the manufacturing of biological products and is the market leader in each of its service offerings. Next Biosciences is AABB and ISO accredited, and is licensed by the South African Department of Health. The company’s divisions include Hexa Laboratories, which offers health and lifestyle testing; Netcells which provides stem cell banking from umbilical cord blood and adipose tissue for future potential medical and aesthetic use; Next Genetics which specialises in reproductive genetic health to help build healthy families; and Placelta which harnesses the power of the placenta through manufacturing biological products mainly to promote wound healing.

About ViomeViome is improving people’s health through personalised nutrition based on individual biology. The company combines advanced technology developed at the Los Alamos National Lab with its intelligent therapeutics platform to analyse gene expression and deliver personalised nutrition recommendations. The ultimate goal is to prevent and reverse chronic diseases such as diabetes, anxiety, depression and obesity, and empower all people to live healthier lives.