Tell us about your background
My career began with a PhD in molecular biology and microbiology, fueling a lifelong fascination with the complexities of biological systems. This path led me to a pivotal role in synthetic biology at MIT, where I was inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the Boston area. After building two labs at Sanofi, I served as Chief Scientific Officer at InSphero in Zurich, sharpening my expertise in scaling biotech ventures.
With Tim Mak, my co-founder in Trilliome, we launched a consulting business focusing on scientific and technical matters, transitioning over time increasingly to business development and strategy. My engagement in rejuvenation and longevity started during my tenure as ad-interim COO at Rejuveron, focusing on pioneering drug discovery initiatives. My career has spanned many topics, including inflammation & immunity, metabolic diseases, immuno-oncology (IO), and neurodegeneration, across most therapeutic modalities.
This extensive experience has been instrumental in my role as an entrepreneur in residence at two startups dedicated to extending the human healthspan. Co-founding Trilliome was a natural progression, aiming to create targeted nutraceuticals that significantly improve health outcomes. This venture draws directly on my extensive background in longevity research and our shared commitment to enhancing the healthspan through innovative biotech solutions available to everybody.
What inspired you to dive deeper into this topic of precision nutraceuticals/longevity?
Our motivation to specialize in precision nutraceuticals and longevity stems from a fundamental desire to extend healthspan—the productive, disease-free years of an individual’s life. Recognizing the limitations of traditional biopharma approaches, we aimed to innovate beyond these constraints. Tim’s deep microbiome and nutrition expertise shed light on a significant opportunity for us in this burgeoning field.
Modern lifestyles have taken a toll on gut health across populations. Processed diets, sedentary habits, excessive antibiotic use, alcohol, sleep deprivation, and stress disrupt the gut microbiome’s balance, which is critical for overall health. These imbalances are exacerbated by overly sterile environments, especially prevalent in Western societies, where children grow up with minimal exposure to natural microbial environments. Such conditions stifle the development of gut bacteria vital for producing health-promoting compounds, including anti-inflammatories, brain health modulators, and even agents that combat cancer.
Understanding this, we are developing targeted plant-derived extracts to nurture the growth of beneficial microbial strains, which have become rare in our “modern” guts. These extracts are designed to restore and optimize the gut microbiome, aligning with our bodies’ natural symbiosis with these microorganisms.
Our market research and discussions with potential clients reveal a robust demand for functional foods that support cognitive functions and general well-being, backed by scientific evidence and derived from natural sources. Trilliome is founded on meeting these innovation and consumer needs through innovative research, product development, business, and go-to-market models.
You mention a $2T+ health crisis in your pitch deck. What’s that, and how does Trilliome plan to capture a share of this market?
The $2T+ health crisis, characterized by the global economic burden of chronic diseases related to poor gut health, is exacerbated by modern lifestyles that include processed foods, inadequate sleep, and limited physical activity. These factors disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to brain health decline, metabolic disorders, and chronic inflammation.
Trilliome addresses this crisis by developing targeted, science-backed nutraceuticals that promote beneficial gut bacteria, crucial for improved overall health and cognitive function. To capture a decent market share, our strategy encompasses (1) Product innovation – developing a portfolio of precision nutraceuticals with advanced in-vitro and in-silico models and plant extracts known for their efficacy in promoting gut health, (2) Scientific validation – rigorous testing and clinical trials to ensure effectiveness and safety, providing us with a competitive edge through proven health benefits, (3) We are actively seeking partnerships with food and beverage manufacturers, health and wellness brands to co-develop and out-license our products. These collaborations will enable us to integrate our solutions into widely consumed products, enhancing their health benefits, (4) A marketing strategy including extensive educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of gut health and the distinctive advantages of our products; and (5) the commitment to ongoing research and development to keep pace with scientific advancements and emerging health needs, ensuring that our products remain at the forefront of the nutraceutical market. Trilliome aims to mitigate the impacts of the health crisis and establish a significant presence in the global market for gut health solutions.
It’s very exciting to hear about the upcoming plans for Trilliome. What is the team building?
Our flagship product, a potent plant extract inspired by the blue zone, is designed to promote the growth of specific beneficial gut bacteria and generate metabolites crucial for significant health benefits. These microbes thrive naturally in the gut environment but not externally, limiting traditional oral treatments’ effectiveness. Our innovative approach focuses on ‘feeding’ these beneficial bacteria with our extract, fostering their growth in their natural habitat.
We have also compiled promising scientific evidence on additional plant extracts that exhibit a range of positive health effects. These findings guide the expansion of our product line to include a diverse array of nutraceuticals targeted at various aspects of health.
Parallel to product development, we are actively building the company’s foundation. The current team has extensive track records across various domains, and we are strategically onboarding individuals who bring expertise in areas where we need more experience. Some roles are advisory, while others are fractional positions, which we plan to transition into full-time roles as the company grows. This approach ensures we maintain flexibility and scalability, aligning our workforce growth with our overall business development.
There’s been a surge in interest in gut and microbiome health in recent years. Many market entrants have adopted a broad-spectrum approach. Why is it not good enough?
While interest in gut and microbiome health has surged, many companies have taken a broad-spectrum approach that falls short. Introducing many different bacterial strains at once can disrupt the natural balance of gut microbiome in some people, and some probiotics may not survive digestion or successfully colonize the gut, limiting their effectiveness.
Simply adding beneficial bacteria isn’t enough; they need the right conditions and nutrients to thrive like settlers needing food and tools to survive on an island. Broad-spectrum approaches may also fail to support the diverse range of microbes needed for a healthy gut microbiome.
Could you share more about the gap between early innovation in gut health and microbiome research and industry-ready products?
In discussions with key decision-makers and stakeholders in the nutraceutical industry, we consistently encounter strong interest in integrating advanced gut health solutions and extracts with novel properties into their product lines. However, there is a prevailing frustration that despite numerous exciting discoveries in academic research, these insights often remain underdeveloped, lacking the necessary validation and follow-up to make them viable for industrial application. This critical gap between the initial discovery and the readiness for commercial scale-up and rigorous testing is where Trilliome steps in.
We specialize in transforming these early-stage academic insights into validated, market-ready products. Our approach is akin to the model seen in the biopharma sector, where agile startups play a crucial role in developing and proving new concepts before they are taken up by larger companies for full-scale development and commercialization. By focusing on rigorous testing, validation, and scalability from the outset, Trilliome not only enhances the potential of these academic findings but also ensures they meet industry standards, facilitating a smoother transition to market integration. This strategic focus fills a critical need within the nutraceutical industry and accelerates the introduction of innovative gut health solutions that can profoundly impact consumer well-being.
What is the scientific rationale behind Trilliome’s next-gen pre/probiotic fusion?
Our products act as specialized modulators for gut bacteria, selectively promoting the growth of beneficial species while inhibiting potentially harmful ones. This targeted approach helps cultivate a healthier gut environment where beneficial bacteria thrive and produce various compounds crucial for our overall health. These beneficial compounds include but are not limited to, anti-inflammatory agents, neurotransmitters, and metabolites that enhance metabolic health.
Our precision nutrition products can enhance the microbiome of those who consume them by either boosting the activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut or creating an optimal environment for newly introduced probiotic strains. This dual capability ensures that our products support a robust, healthy gut microbiome, leading to improved health outcomes. The innovation behind our approach lies in its precision—by understanding the specific nutritional needs of different bacterial strains, we can craft formulations that promote a balanced gut flora, thereby enhancing the body’s natural resilience and health
What is the next milestone that the team is aiming for?
Our immediate priority is to secure additional funding to accelerate our product development and facilitate our market entry strategy. Over the next 18 months, we aim to launch our flagship plant extract into the B2B market, targeting supplement, food and beverage manufacturers keen on incorporating gut health benefits into their products. This introduction is just the beginning as we also plan to advance the development of 2-3 other plant extracts, each chosen for their diverse and potent health benefits. These will specifically address key aspects of gut microbiome health, including metabolic function, inflammation reduction, and cognitive support.
In parallel, we are dedicated to constructing a robust discovery and development framework that continually pushes the boundaries of innovation in nutraceuticals. Our pipeline includes a dynamic range of products, from prebiotics and synbiotics (a combination of pre/pro/post-biotics). Each product is designed to optimize the gut microbiome and enhance overall health, aligning with our mission to increase individuals’ healthspans by restoring the gut to a more balanced, naturally healthy state despite modern lifestyle challenges.
We aim to position Trilliome as the leader in microbiome-targeting precision nutraceuticals. Our strategy is to lead in innovation and forge strategic partnerships with key industry players, enhancing our reach and impact on global health.
What were the top 2 challenges you’ve faced so far in building Trilliome?
Switzerland offers a robust support network for academic spin-offs. However, having transitioned from academia some time ago, we found that much of this established support was not directly accessible to us. This situation necessitated significant efforts on our part to identify and secure alternative resources to sustain and expand our venture. We successfully navigated this challenge by leveraging our extensive industry connections and bootstrapping the company with our own investments.
Moreover, the initial phase of our startup involved bootstrapping while maintaining our regular employment. This dual commitment was exhilarating but incredibly demanding, requiring immense energy and dedication. To manage this, we implemented rigorous time management and prioritization strategies and gradually transitioned to full(er)-time roles in our company as it gains stability and necessary funding. This phased approach allowed us to maintain financial security while ensuring the steady growth of our startup.
How do you ensure sustainability and ethical sourcing in Trilliome’s operations?
We are committed to ensuring that our operations are sustainable and ethically sound.
Sustainable Sourcing: We use exotic plant extracts derived from natural and renewable resources. Our team is dedicated to identifying and partnering with suppliers who prioritize sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring that we protect biodiversity and promote the long-term health of ecosystems.
Ethical Practices: We build strong relationships with suppliers and local communities, ensuring fair trade practices and ethical labor standards. Our goal is to create mutually beneficial partnerships supporting the livelihoods of those in our supply chain.
Transparency and Traceability: We maintain transparency throughout our sourcing and production processes, allowing us to trace the origin of our ingredients and ensure they meet our high standards for sustainability and ethical practices.
Continuous Improvement: As we grow, we constantly review and refine our practices to align with the latest advancements in sustainable and ethical business operations.
What are some interesting facts about you/hobbies outside of work that you have?
Increasing one’s healthspan and quality of life can be achieved with exercise, healthy nutrition, sufficient sleep, stress management, and an active social network. For me, this includes running, hiking, and walking our dogs. These activities keep me fit and provide a great way to unwind and enjoy nature.
Cooking a good dinner is something I genuinely enjoy. It’s rewarding to end a day of hard work and ensure I eat nutritious food. Some might say it’s my new ‘lab experiment,’ replacing the time I spent in the lab professionally. Finally, I love reading as much as possible, both non-fiction during the day for quick breaks and fiction at night to help me unwind and fall asleep. One of my best recipes for a good night’s sleep is immersing myself in different worlds through books.
Any final remarks/words of advice?
My final advice is to listen to many but ultimately make decisions that reflect your own life and values – do not try to emulate somebody else’s life. The valuable insights we get from friends, colleagues, and partners are shaped by their unique experiences and perspectives. The key is to process and transform this information into what’s most useful for you.
The worlds of science, business, and social dynamics are evolving rapidly, so keep learning, experimenting, and helping others whenever possible. Having spent time in academia, I’ve learned that overthinking can be a trap. So, make thoughtful decisions, but also remember to trust your instincts and take action. As the saying goes, ‘Fortune favors the bold.’
By remaining open-minded, proactive, and supportive of others, you’ll enrich your own life and contribute positively to those around you.