Biena and TransBIOTech Secure $300,000 Applied Research and Development (ARD) Grant to Explore Novel Probiotic Approach to Metabolic Syndrome
This collaboration aims to advance population health, reduce healthcare costs, and reinforce Canada's leadership in microbiome-based innovation.
Sainte-Hyacinthe and Lévis (Quebec), Canada — December 8, 2025 — Biena and TransBIOTech are pleased to announce they have secured a $300,000 grant for Applied Research and Development (ARD) under the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program, administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
This grant will support the joint study of the therapeutic potential and safety of probiotic strains in the management of metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) —a cluster of metabolic disorders including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia— affects approximately one in five Canadian adults and has reached epidemic proportions in industrialized countries. As data linking gut microbiota imbalance to metabolic diseases proliferates, the partnership between Biena and TransBIOTech aims to explore a microbiota-targeting strategy to improve metabolic health; thereby contributing to enhancing population well-being, reducing healthcare costs, and strengthening Canada's leadership in microbiome-related innovation.
The project will evaluate the efficacy of Biena's probiotic strains in modulating gut microbiota and reducing metabolic dysfunctions associated with MetS. Using a preclinical murine model, the study will monitor key parameters such as glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and intestinal barrier integrity.
“This partnership between Biena and TransBIOTech represents a significant step in our commitment to developing microbiome-based interventions supported by rigorous scientific evidence,” stated Dr. Gulshan Arora, President of Biena. “By combining Biena's expertise in probiotic innovation with TransBIOTech's preclinical research capabilities, we aim to deepen the understanding of gut health's impact on metabolic disorders.”
“We are proud to support Biena's mission by contributing our preclinical expertise and analytical platforms to this significant project,” affirmed Yvan Boutin, Head of the Biology Department at TransBIOTech and Professor at Cégep de Lévis.
Sarah Paris-Robidas, a pharmacology researcher at TransBIOTech, adds: “This project perfectly illustrates how collaboration between science-driven companies like Biena and applied research centers like TransBIOTech can accelerate the transformation of scientific discoveries into concrete health solutions.”
This study will generate essential data on the benefits of evidence-based probiotic interventions for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
-30-
About Biena
Biena is a company specializing in the manufacturing and utilization of probiotics as natural health products. It is dedicated to developing high-quality, scientifically proven microbial solutions for gut health and overall well-being. With a research and innovation-driven approach, Biena offers a range of probiotic strains designed to support digestive health, immunity, and metabolic functions. The company collaborates with renowned researchers and institutions to ensure the efficacy and safety of its products, thereby meeting the needs of consumers and industrial manufacturers. Through advanced fermentation and formulation techniques, Biena contributes to the progress of the probiotic industry, fostering a balanced microbiome for improved health.
For more information: www.biena.com
About TransBIOTech
TransBIOTech, a College Technology Transfer Center (CCTT) affiliated with Cégep de Lévis, QC, Canada, is a non-profit organization specializing in biotechnology. Since 1999, TransBIOTech has offered expert support in drug development, providing services in pharmacology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. TransBIOTech researchers leverage their expertise and advanced methodologies to evaluate the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of therapeutic candidates at various stages of preclinical development. For more information: www.transbio.tech
