As part of its expansion plan, Indian startup Leucine Rich Bio is now exporting its gut microbiome test BugSpeaks to the Philippines. This strategic move comes in partnership with Cognoa International Inc., a Philippines-based company specialising in probiotics and gut health since 2014. The Philippines is the second country after Thailand where BugSpeaks is available through a distributor. 

South Asia’s first gut microbiome test BugSpeaks is an easy-to-use at-home sampling kit that can provide a snapshot of gut health on the basis of sequencing of the microbes present in the gut. Moreover, it also provides actionable dietary and probiotic recommendations to the user. The test uses information on a person’s gut microbiota and furnishes a score called the Rych index, which gives insight into gut health.

So far, Leucine Rich Bio has exported BugSpeaks test kits worth more than $19,000 and sold a total of 5,000 test kits both within and outside the country. 

Dr Debojyoti Dhar, Co-Founder and Director (Business Development and Innovation), Leucine Rich Bio , said, “We are looking to expand to other Asian countries soon. BugSpeaks is available in other countries through retail, and Leucine Rich Bio is actively seeking partnerships with like-minded distributors.”