In a new publication, our team introduces a concept — optimizing gut microbiota functionality, not just composition. Combining personalized, targeted modulation with multi-omics analysis and artificial intelligence, it shows how microbiome science can make improvements in human health.

Julia Reuter

Co-Chairs: Martin Haranta, Peter Kurti and Benjamin A. H. Jensen

Speaker: Arvid Gollwitzer, Anto Biosciences, USA

Speaker: Šarūnas George Bačiliūnas, Hidden Manna, Lithuania

Speaker: Andrea Ballarin Sebire, Hippocrate Care, France

Speaker: Adam Selamnia, NIUM, Luxembourg

Speaker: Agnieszka Staniewicz, MediSearch, Poland

Chair: Koen Venema

Many patients with Parkinson’s disease suffer from gastrointestinal issues and low-grade inflammation, likely linked to hallmark protein alpha-synuclein. The evidence of a disturbed microbiota-gut-brain axis homeostasis in Parkinson's is increasing but is largely limited to associations rather than causative links.

Production of metabolites beneficial to health by LAB, such as bacteriocins (antimicrobial peptides) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein amino acid, considered the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system of animals.

Plant niches may function as microbial conditioning environments. This study investigates whether Cannabis sativa fermentation reshapes kefir-derived bacteria toward enhanced gastrointestinal resilience and neuroactive potential, offering a novel strategy for developing next-generation psychobiotic candidates.

Previous research on the probiotic strain HEAL9 has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes in healthy individuals in terms of cognition, overall wellbeing and sleep, as well as mitigation of cognitive impairment and decreased disease progression in an Alzheimer’s Disease mouse model.

A six‑month clinical study found that Pacran™, a standardized whole‑cranberry fruit formula, supports urinary health through modulation of the urinary microbiome. It reduced rUTI risk and modulated key bacterial taxa, suggesting a potential novel microbiome‑mediated mechanism of action.

This presentation introduces Weizmannia coagulans BC99, a spore forming probiotic with high stability, safety, and efficacy, covering its R&D, validation, applications, and industrialisation for global market use.

Chair: Koen Venema

Co-chair: George Paraskevakos

Regulatory overview of product registration for human and animal nutrition in the EU.

The presentation provides an overview of the evolving legal framework and current market practices governing probiotics in Europe. It highlights the role of IPA Europe in positioning the sector within the priorities of the EU Strategy for European Life Sciences.

Accurate and standardized reporting of probiotic viable counts is essential for transparency and reproducibility in clinical studies; however, current reporting practices are often unclear. We therefore recommend explicitly indicating what the stated probiotic dose refers to within clinical study reporting.

Speaker: Bernardo Candia-Herrera

Speaker: Lola Giner-Perez

Chair: Arthur Ouwehand

Co Chairs: Norbert Bomba & Ewa Hudson

Speaker: Philippe Langella

Chair: George Paraskevakos

Probiotic Value Insights is a new communication platform promoted by IPA Europe, designed to provide a centralised and accessible resource on the potential public health and socio-economic value of probiotics in Europe. Built around an independent Socio-Economic Assessment.

Speakers: George Paraskevakos, Jessica Younes, Rosanna Pecere & Marie-Eve Boyte

Chair: Koen Venema

Understanding how gut microbiota react to dietary fibers is key for designing effective nutrition strategies.We used personalized in vitro models alongside in vivo interventions to predict individual responses to specific fibers, an approach that furthers the development targeted microbiome solutions.

Personalised probiotic screening via the PMAS platform identifies novel strains restoring mucosal immune homeostasis across COPD and bacterial vaginosis models.

Chair: Koen Venema

This innovative RCT in video gamers (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05545813) aimed to assess the effect of a specific probiotic combination on attention abilities under acute-stress and non-stress conditions.

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are driven by complex, multifactorial mechanisms, including oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and dysregulated enzyme activity, necessitating multi-target intervention strategies. Fermentation is as a promising approach to enhance the functional potential of plant-based substrates

Gut dysbiosis drives metabolic syndrome and MASLD. Polyphenol-rich fermented blueberries modulate microbiota, enhance postbiotic efficacy, and require stability for bioactivity. This study tests whether microencapsulated wild blueberries improve metabolic health and correct dysbiosis in HFHS diet–induced obese mice models, partly.

Chair: Koen Venema

More speakers to come

Pioneering research by Dr. Armpit explores how manipulating the skin microbiome can eliminate body odor. Through armpit bacterial transplantation and bacteriotherapy, his studies demonstrate lasting microbiome shifts — replacing odor-causing bacteria with beneficial strains for a natural, long-term solution.

This positive clinical study demonstrates that a targeted Postbiotics approach using Bifidobacterium longum significantly reduced allergic rhinitis symptoms and improved patient outcomes, highlighting a promising, science-backed solution for individuals seeking effective alternatives to conventional allergy management.

True beauty is systemic. Discover how my latest research on the Skin-Gut-Immune Axis uses microbiome modulation to reduce inflammation and optimize healing. We are bridging the gap between internal wellness and external excellence for safer, superior aesthetic results.

Speaker: Alba Rodriguez Bryant

"Acetylated cellulose (AceCel) reduces body mass gain in wild-type and ob/ob mice. AceCel limits host carbohydrate oxidation and promotes fatty acid utilization. Gut bacteria mediate AceCel-dependent reductions in simple sugars and body mass gain. Acetate facilitates carbohydrate "

Chair: Koen Venema

Co Chair: Dr. Ajay Awati

Growth in animal production industry also comes with its unique challenges to maintain profitability and improve sustainability. Managing gut health by managing microbial activity and strategic use of feed additives is of paramount importance in era of responsible animal production.

Functional additives have been studied in pet nutrition and have demonstrated their ability to mitigate gastro-intestinal issues triggered by dietary changes. Thus, probiotics may positively influence intestinal and microbial function, resulting in less digestive disorders in such situations.

Weaning challenges gut health and performance in piglets, especially under ETEC pressure. With restrictions on high zinc oxide use, this study evaluated Bacillus subtilis DSM 29784 as a probiotic alternative to support growth and gut microbiota stability.

Speaker: Dr. Johanna Maukonen

Weaning triggers strong individual differences in intake, growth, and physiological adaptation in piglets. As the gut–brain axis plays a central role in this process, our study explores blood biomarkers linked to brain and intestinal gene expression during post‑weaning adaptation.