A-Mansia biotech

A-Mansia Biotech, rebranded as The Akkermansia Company, is a microbiome health enterprise originating from extensive academic research. It was established in 2016 as a spin-off from the Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) in Belgium and Wageningen University in the Netherlands. The company's foundation is built upon the scientific discoveries of its founders, Professor Patrice D. Cani of UCLouvain and Professor Willem M. de Vos of Wageningen University. Their journey began with the isolation and characterization of the *Akkermansia muciniphila* bacterium in 2004 by Professor de Vos, which was followed by years of collaborative research into its properties and potential health benefits.

The company's business is centered on developing and commercializing health products based on the unique properties of *Akkermansia muciniphila*. This bacterium is a natural resident of the human intestinal mucus layer and plays a role in maintaining the gut barrier's integrity. Research has shown that lower levels of this bacterium are associated with metabolic disorders like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. The company's core product is a food supplement containing pasteurized *Akkermansia muciniphila*. This pasteurization process, a key innovation, enhances the bacterium's stability and efficacy, turning it into a postbiotic. This specific preparation received approval as a novel food ingredient from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2021, a significant milestone for the company.

The business model combines direct-to-consumer sales through its website and other online retailers with a business-to-business approach, partnering with distributors like Metagenics and targeting healthcare practitioners. Revenue is generated from the sale of its flagship supplement, branded as "Healthy Weight with Glucose Control," which combines the pasteurized Akkermansia with ingredients like green tea extract, chromium, and Vitamin B2. This product is marketed to health-conscious consumers and individuals concerned with managing their weight and metabolic health. Following its scientific and commercial progress, which included an €18 million Series A funding round, The Akkermansia Company was acquired by Danone in June 2025, signaling a strategic move by the food giant to invest further in science-backed gut health solutions.

Keywords: Akkermansia muciniphila, gut microbiome, metabolic health, postbiotics, food supplement, gut barrier, weight management, glucose control, Patrice Cani, Willem M. de Vos, UCLouvain, Wageningen University, microbiome-based, pasteurized bacteria, EFSA novel food, Danone acquisition, intestinal health, next-generation probiotic, A-Mansia Biotech