Somagen Conducts Project on 'Correlation Between Brain and Neurological Diseases and Gut Microbiome' with US EndoMines and Others

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] SomaGen announced on the 31st that it has signed a joint research agreement with U.S. companies Sparking Life and Endominance to investigate the correlation between depression and other brain and neurological disorders and the gut microbiome.

The project is led by Sparking Life, a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. John Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in neuropsychiatry, which conducts research promoting exercise to treat mental health issues. Endominance, a company specializing in human cognitive assessment and data analysis, is also planning this joint research project.

Additionally, SomaGen, a microbiome analysis specialist, Dr. Heather Twedell, a prominent psychologist in the U.S. who operates First Clinic (providing psychological treatment for frontline workers such as paramedics, firefighters, and police officers), and InBody Co., Ltd., a leading company in body fat and composition analysis, are participating in the joint research project.

A company representative stated, "The study is scheduled to be conducted over 4 to 5 months targeting approximately 600 paramedics and others working throughout the state of Texas," adding, "There is a high possibility of expanding the research across the Americas depending on the results." The representative also said, "SomaGen will initially provide its GutBiome analysis platform, a comprehensive gut microbiome analysis service, for about 200 individuals to investigate the correlation between depression and other brain and neurological disorders and the microbiome."

Ryan Kim, CEO of SomaGen, explained, "The joint research project with Sparking Life and Endominance related to depression and other brain and neurological disorders is highly significant as it lays the foundation for SomaGen’s future commercialization of microbiome clinical diagnostic services capable of diagnosing various diseases and disorders."