Biena and TransBIOTech receive $300,000 in Applied Research and Development (ARD) funding to explore a new probiotic approach to metabolic syndrome
This collaboration aims to advance population health, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen Canada's leadership in microbiome-based innovation.
Sainte-Hyacinthe and Lévis (Quebec), Canada — December 8, 2025 — Biena and TransBIOTech are pleased to announce that they have been awarded a $300,000 Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant under the Innovation in Colleges and the Community (ICC) 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 joint research into 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 evidence linking gut microbiota imbalance to metabolic diseases continues to grow, the partnership between Biena and TransBIOTech aims to explore a strategy targeting the microbiota to improve metabolic health, thereby contributing to improved population well-being, reduced healthcare costs, and strengthened Canadian leadership in microbiome-related innovation.
The project will evaluate the efficacy of Biena's probiotic strains in modulating the gut microbiota and reducing metabolic dysfunctions associated with MetS. Using a preclinical mouse model, the study will monitor key parameters such as glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and intestinal barrier integrity.
"This partnership between Biena and TransBIOTech represents an important step in our commitment to developing microbiome-based interventions backed by rigorous scientific evidence," said Dr. Gulshan Arora, President of Biena. "By combining Biena's expertise in probiotic innovation with TransBIOTech's preclinical research capabilities, we aim to deepen our understanding of the impact of gut health on metabolic disorders."
"We are proud to support Biena's mission by contributing our preclinical expertise and analytical platforms to this major project," said 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 such as Biena and applied research centers such as TransBIOTech can accelerate the transformation of scientific discoveries into concrete solutions for health."
This study will generate essential data on the benefits of evidence-based probiotic interventions for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
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About Biena
Biena is a company specializing in the manufacture and use of probiotics as natural health products. It is dedicated to developing high-quality, scientifically proven microbial solutions for intestinal 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, meeting the needs of consumers and industrial manufacturers. Through advanced fermentation and formulation techniques, Biena contributes to the advancement of the probiotics industry, promoting a balanced microbiome for better health.
For more information: www.biena.com
About TransBIOTech
TransBIOTech, a College Center for Technology Transfer (CCTT) affiliated with Cégep de Lévis, QC, Canada, is a non-profit organization specializing in biotechnology. Since 1999, TransBIOTech has been offering expert support in drug development, providing services in pharmacology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. TransBIOTech researchers use 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
