- The First 1,000 Days: A baby’s first 1,000 days is a period of major developmental changes in body organs, and the gastrointestinal tract in particular – it’s well-established that the microbiome is very different between c-section and natural birthed infants, and then breastmilk vs formula is also known to further impact health and development. But what does the emerging science show in this area and how can this be translated into commercial opportunity? Where are the ongoing knowledge gaps? This session will explore the latest science and innovation in this critical stage of life.
- Gut-Liver Axis: The prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) continues to grow across the globe, with estimates for Europe putting the number at around 25% of European adults. The gut-liver axis, that bi-directional interaction between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver, is just one opportunity to improve liver health. This session will search for answers to a number of questions, including what the science actually says; how well findings from animal studies translate to humans; and if there are commercial opportunities beyond NAFLD.
- Improving Skin Health with pre-, pro-, and postbiotics: Science continues to build in the skin microbiome space. And as industry gets to grips with new gut-skin axis data and advances in our understanding of mechanisms of action, this is a category set to be elevated to an entirely new level. So, what are some of the segments to watch? Where does the science need to catch up? And what sort of potential do we see for ingestibles and topicals? This is a must-attend session for scientists, formulators, marketers, executives and anyone else interested in the fast-evolving world of the skin microbiome.
- Innovation with Next-Gen Probiotics: The probiotics category was built on Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, but recent advances in sequencing and culturing of microbes from other genus has led to intense interest in novel, so-called next generation strains. From Akkermansia and Hafnia to Christensenella and Faecalibacterium, the list of potential novel strains to improve health and wellness is immense. This session will explore which species and strains have the potential to disrupt the market in the near term and will explore where the science is taking us next.
- Market Insights: The pandemic boosted interest in all things microbiome-related and many companies enjoyed record sales, but market slowdowns due to inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty have led to some recalibration of consumer priorities and spending. But we’re not back to where we were in 2019 and the market remains positive. But which categories are attracting the most interest? How are postbiotics and synbiotics changing the landscape for consumers? And can the numbers give us a glimpse of what comes next? This session will seek answers to these big questions and more!
- Personalisation: Everyone’s microbiome is as unique as their own fingerprints, so it seems logical that we could have personalised interventions - prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, etc - tailored for the individual. How are different companies approaching personalisation? Are the datasets developed enough for meaningful recommendations? What does the science say about personalised probiotics and prebiotics? Are enough consumers willing to pay for this knowledge? How is the athletic community approaching these possibilities? What’s next for this blossoming category? This session will seek to answer these questions and more.
- Understanding Microbiome Ecology for Microbiome Modulation: Our ability to effectively modulated the microbiome of an individual is influenced in large part by the hosts gut ecosystem. Approaches can include attempts to modify the entire community using a faecal microbiota transplantation, or a portion of it – specific taxa or strains - using probiotics (either consortia or individual strains), prebiotics, postbiotics, phages, or combinations of these. This session will explore how advances in bioinformatic approaches can improve efficacy of microbiome modulation by better understanding host ecology and exploiting open niches, how supplements and foods can be better designed to feed not only the host but also the microbiome, and how emerging science around the virome and mycobiome can better inform our understanding for greater success.
- Regulatory Developments across Europe: As more countries across the European Union allow use of the term “probiotic” in product labeling, but an EFSA health claim continues to be just beyond reach. Meanwhile, the UK, which lurches from one political problem to the next, is still to clarify what the country’s regulatory landscape will look like after its Brexit Bonfire. This session will explore the current regulatory landscape across the EU and the UK, and how this is affecting business. It will also update attendees on attempts to harmonise regulations at a global level.
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