Atmo Biosciences, a digital health company providing real-time insights into gut health and microbiome function, is ramping up manufacture of its third generation gas-sensing capsule at Planet Innovation’s recently opened medtech manufacturing facility.
Hundreds of capsules are being manufactured in coming months for use in multiple clinical trials, including a study that is underway at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden to better understand the impact of carbohydrates on people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Atmo, one of a portfolio of businesses incubated by Planet Innovation, is developing the ground-breaking capsule as a digital biomarker for gastrointestinal health. Once swallowed, it continuously profiles clinically important gases as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, transmitting the data to the cloud in real-time for aggregation and analysis. The latest generation of the capsule offers improved performance and improved manufacturability.
Atmo Biosciences CEO Mal Hebblewhite said: “Atmo is entering an exciting phase, as we begin new studies using the third generation Atmo Gas Capsule. Our technology unlocks new datasets that researchers can use to gain a better understanding of gut health and microbiome function, enabling better diagnosis and treatment for disorders such as IBS.”
The University of Gothenburg trial, led by renowned gastroenterologist Professor Magnus Simrén, is using the Atmo Gas Capsule to help understand the mechanisms and benefits of carbohydrates in people with IBS, and the link to gut microbiota and function.
Professor Simrén, who is also on the Board of the Rome Foundation, said it would be the first time an ingestible capsule that can sense intestinal gas is used in a clinical trial in Europe.
“Analyzing intestinal gases in the colon with Atmo’s gas-sensing capsule will lead to better understanding of microbiota alterations induced by carbohydrates and its effects on colonic function, and help reveal the beneficial mechanisms of carbohydrates in IBS,” Professor Simrén said.
“Under current treatment methods, IBS patients are often prescribed restrictive diets that limit intake of lots of common fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. A positive result in this trial could lead to a more personalized low-carbohydrates diet by preserving beneficial carbohydrates or to new therapeutic treatments for the benefit of IBS patients.”
Find out more about the trial and Atmo Biosciences on the Atmo Biosciences website.