ProDigest Specialists in intestinal research

A spin-off created in 2008 from Ghent University (UGent), ProDigest brings on the market the expertise of the Center of Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET) in terms of microbial ecology and reactor technology. The initial prototype of a simulator of the gastrointestinal tract is nowadays a computer-controlled system available to conduct fee-for-service research for companies in the field of food, feed, functional food, plant extracts and pharma. P roDigest has been profitable from day one. It went through two phases of growth: after a first phase running until 2012 to establish itself as a recognized contract research organization (CRO) in the in vitro pre-clinical sector, the second phase featured an annual average growth of 45%. In 2016 and 2017, ProDigest won the Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 award for the fastest growing company in life science in Belgium. Strong with 40 people and headquarters in Gent, the company is active and appreciated worldwide with more than 300 clients.

The Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME ® ) recreates physiology and microbiology of the whole gastrointestinal tract and it is the perfect tool to generate data complementary to in vivo studies. This device is used to assess the fate and mechanism of action of ingested compounds in areas of the gut that are not easily accessible in vivo. For each study, a customized protocol is defined to identify the best possible experimental design to match the request of a client and provide high quality results at the lowest possible budget. Classical examples of studies refer to the test of the survival of probiotic strains along the gastrointestinal tract, the fermentation of a fiber, the resistance of a capsule in the stomach, the ability of a molecule to reach a target area or the evaluation of the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of an active compound. The SHIME ® can also be coupled with cell assays simulating the gut wall (i.e. co-culture of enterocytes and immune cells) to assess the potential impact of a treatment at the level of the host, in terms of gut permeability and immune response.

ProDigest is currently strengthening its activities for the pharmaceutical industry. In this sector, the in vitro SHIME ® model is a valuable tool for pre-clinical development of lead active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Indeed, it provides quick insights into the solubility, the release, the stability and the bioaccessibility of pharmaceutical compounds under highly standardized and biologically relevant gastro-intestinal conditions. It allows to predict

Automated TWINSHIME

and evaluate the stability of both APIs and drug formulations in the stomach and small intestine. Moreover, it offers the opportunity to evaluate the stability and activity of APIs under colonic conditions, including the complete gut microbiota (i.e. drug-bug interaction).

ProDigest has developed and validated various applications of its in vitro SHIME ® technology platform: alongside with the original simulation for healthy adults, nowadays protocols are available for 0-6 month- & 6 month-2 year-old babies (i.e. BabySHIME ® ), the elderlies and people under disease conditions (e.g. IBD, infection with pathogens, use of antibiotics…). Moreover, the platform has been extended to animal simulations with the SPIME™ (Simulator of the Pig Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem), SCIME™ (Simulator of the Canine Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem) and SFIME™ (Simulator of the Feline Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem) models, all extensively used for the screening and identification of new feed ingredients, bioactive compounds, the evaluation of the optimal formulation and the underlying mode of action.

As a leading CRO, ProDigest is now committed to develop further its technology models and offer of services. Such a move is directed to develop new models and new types of simulations for different body districts and human microbiomes. Without forgetting the gut!

ProDigest Technologiepark 94 - B-9052 Gent Tel.: +32 (0)9 241 11 90 Email: info@prodigest.eu https://www.prodigest.eu/en