Biohm Launches Atlanta R&D Center to Drive Microbiome Innovation

Biohm, a company specializing in microbiome research and product development, has opened a new research and development center in Atlanta. This facility aims to enhance the company’s capabilities in creating innovative fungal microbiome ingredients. The announcement follows the company’s strategic expansion plan, which includes a recent funding round that raised $4.52 million to support its growth.

The Atlanta center will focus on advancing Biohm’s existing products, Mycohsa and Phorum, both of which combine bacterial and fungal communities for health benefits. Mycohsa is a probiotic blend designed to promote gut microbiome balance, while Phorum serves as a postbiotic to support immune function. According to Kristin Wilhoyte, vice president of marketing at Biohm, the new lab will facilitate the development of additional probiotic and postbiotic strains through the company’s Symbiont platform.

Enhancing Research and Development Capabilities

Wilhoyte stated that the expansion allows Biohm to move swiftly from the discovery phase to commercialization. The Atlanta facility will enhance internal capabilities for strain characterization, stability testing, and formulation development. “It positions Biohm to bring clinically relevant, differentiated microbiome solutions to market more efficiently,” she explained.

The lab is fully operational and designed to scale as Biohm’s research initiatives expand. This flexibility will support the hiring of additional staff and further development of the company’s capabilities over time. The facility is located within Portal Innovations’ Science Square Campus, which hosts approximately 4,000 life sciences companies.

Biohm’s choice of Atlanta is strategic; the city ranks 10th in the United States for life sciences job growth, with R&D employment growth rated 4th nationally. Wilhoyte emphasized that being near Georgia Tech provides valuable access to world-class academic research and potential collaboration opportunities.

Exploring the Role of Fungi in Microbiome Health

The research conducted at the new facility will not only advance Biohm’s current offerings but will also explore future proprietary ingredients targeting immune health, women’s health, and healthy aging. During the announcement, Sam Schatz, CEO of Biohm, highlighted the company’s commitment to advancing the science of the gut microbiome, particularly the often-overlooked role of fungi.

Wilhoyte noted that much of the research and product innovation in the microbiome field has largely concentrated on bacteria. “While Saccharomyces boulardii has been used successfully for many years, it remains one of the very few commercially utilized fungal strains,” she stated. There is considerable potential to explore and commercialize additional fungal species with health applications.

Biohm aims to broaden the scientific and product landscape by developing fungal-inclusive microbiome solutions that reflect the true biology of the gut ecosystem. The company anticipates that future microbiome innovation will increasingly integrate both bacterial and fungal elements, a shift that could redefine approaches to gut health and wellness.

As Biohm continues its expansion, the Atlanta R&D center is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of microbiome research and product development.