In the next 5 to 7 years, we could envisage more gut microbiome research based businesses being set up

Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO, Genefitletics

India’s gut microbiome industry is expanding due to rising health consciousness and technological breakthroughs. An international market research and consultancy business called Cognitive Market Research estimates that the gut microbiome-related products market in India is worth around USD 21.57 million as of 2024 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22 per cent through 2031. Growing customer demand for products that target immunity, chronic illnesses, and digestive health is driving this quick expansion.

Because of their advantages in treating ailments including lactose intolerance, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), probiotics are quite well-liked in India. Probiotic-infused beverages, pills, and fermented meals are becoming more popular. Clinical research on treatments that target the microbiome is expanding, especially for metabolic and gastrointestinal conditions. The function of the microbiome in health is being better understood because of advancements in diagnostic technologies that use next-generation sequencing. With over 23% of the worldwide gut microbiome market revenue coming from the Asia-Pacific region, which includes India, there is a lot of room for regional expansion. According to Cognitive Industry Research, the industry is growing quickly on a global scale, with applications spanning into food, personal care, and even veterinary products. Given ongoing expenditures in research, public education, and regulatory support, this expansion points to a bright future for microbiome-based solutions in India. To elaborate further on the future growth of this sector, in an exclusive interview with NuFFOODSSpectrum, Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO Genefitletics, discusses the important aspects that can contribute to the national expansion of the gut bacteria/microbiome business.

How do you envisage the future of gut bacteria/microbiome in India?

Over decades, the machine model of medicine has been used to set an agenda for medical research ! This disease based model of health believed that as long as affected body part(s) could be fixed, the problem would be solvable, hence no need was felt to address the root cause of the disease. Medicine never acknowledges the malfunctioning of the gut which could be the root cause of all these problems. Not to mention high price tag & long term damage this outdated model has produced.

Since 1970 we have been witnessing new challenges to our health including rise of metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, immune health & disease of ageing brain such as Alzhimer’s, Parkinson’s & Autism.

In India alone, 9 per cent & 25 per cent of the total adult population suffer from Type 2 diabetes & cardiovascular diseases respectively. If we talk of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, Acid Reflux & GERD, 10 per cent of Indian population is affected.

Clearly, the current disease based model of medicine has failed to effectively deal with chronic diseases & have placed doctors, hospitals & insurance companies above patient cure, since they do not make money until patients are sick & require constant care & medication. Pharmaceutical companies make billions from sick subscribers by providing symptom management through medication rather than cure.

The current healthcare system in India needs a revolution. The current outdated model needs to be replaced with a human biology based model to understand how our body works, how to run it optimally & fix issues sustainably without any collateral damage.

The answer lies in decoding gut microbial DNA. Gut microbiome is linked to every chronic disease be it diabetes, depression, obesity, heart diseases, cancer, digestive issues such as IBS or even mental health issues such as Parkison’s.

India holds a promising future when it comes to application of gut microbiome. We need to move away from managing symptoms of the chronic diseases and focus on unmasking the root causes of chronic diseases. The best way forward is to leverage huge datasets that can help us predict the advent of diseases and use Artificial Intelligence to provide dietary interventions.

In the next 5 to 7 years, we could envisage more gut microbiome research based businesses being set up to provide data driven solutions, which can help us move from subscribing to drugs & surgeries to gut microbiome based personalised dietary intervention unique for every individual. With increase in adoption rate, the cost of getting a gut microbiome testing would decrease & make it more accessible for the general public.

From an awareness point of view, do you think Indians are thorough about this subject as compared to their western counterparts?

Indian market is still at a nascent stage, when it comes to application of gut microbiome to prevent & intercept chronic diseases. Indian population still believe that diseases such as diabetes, Acid Reflux, Heart Diseases & IBD are not reversible & depend upon medication prescribed by doctors to manage their symptoms. Key stakeholders of Indian healthcare system- doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies & insurance companies have made people believe that no solution exists to overcome or reverse these chronic diseases & best they can do is to manage & control them. Only a minuscule population is aware that resetting & optimising bacterial communities living in their gut can help them reverse chronic diseases.

Since most of the companies are now exploring metabolic capabilities of gut bacteria, do you think that this will take the market to a next level?

Setting up new & innovative solutions in the gut microbiome market supported by government initiatives, tax soaps & fiscal incentives coupled with education & knowledge dissemination to the Indian population can assist in taking this market to the next level.

What are the challenges that this sector is facing currently and what are the probable solutions for these challenges?

The Indian market currently lacks knowledge & research on gut microbiome market in comparison to the US & Western Countries. Doctors & other stakeholders are either not aware of this solution or are not keen to endorse this model, since this will directly impact their current revenue funnels.

The current entrepreneurial mindset is focused on only setting up market places to provide convenience be it doctor consultations, blood tests of pharmacy. This market requires deep rooted research & making customers/patients the key decision makers of their life, which is opposite of the current healthcare delivery practice in India, where customers are made dependent on doctors, hospitals & pharma companies.

The solution lies in educating & empowering people on how gut microbiome can be used to overcome their chronic diseases by just making changes in their nutrition without any need to resort to medication & surgeries.

Since Indians are becoming more health conscious now, is this development acting as a catalyst for the growth of this sector?

Since the COVID struck, people are now becoming conscious of taking care of their health on their own. This transformation wave has opened up doors for new & innovative DIY healthcare models . Sooner, gut microbiome based solution could pick up pace. However, probiotic supplements(Synbiotics) may take its own course of time to be adopted by Indian community.