Startup Launches World's First Sequencing-Based Clinical Microbiome Test

The world’s leading microbial genomics company, uBiome, today launches SmartGut™, the world’s first sequencing-based clinical microbiome screening test. SmartGut enables patient and doctor access to a comprehensive microbiome screening test—with a simple, at-home sample collection—that identifies important commensal and pathogenic microorganisms.

The test uses 16S rRNA gene sequencing and a custom bioinformatics pipeline to identify dozens of microbial genera and species—more than any other test currently on the market—associated with specific infections, health risks, and gut conditions. An article detailing the methods and parameters of the test has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

SmartGut empowers patients to take steps to understand their gut health and assess actionable information about their gut microbiome with their doctors. SmartGut has a simple, at-home sample collection process that takes under two minutes to complete and is mailed directly to the laboratory, making it both easier to use and more convenient than existing tests. SmartGut is covered by US health insurance for the majority of patients.

uBiome’s clinical laboratory recently received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) after a rigorous process of inspection and qualification. Only the top two percent of laboratories in the world are CAP-accredited. uBiome’s Lab Directors are Jean Amos Wilson, PhD, FACMG, CGMB and Arthur Baca, MD, PhD.

The launch of SmartGut comes alongside a significant round of Series B investment, led by San Francisco-based venture firm, 8VC. The firm’s founding partner, Joe Lonsdale, says 8VC is committed to funding ventures with the potential to positively disrupt healthcare: “We learn more about health every year, but unnecessarily negative health outcomes are common because the system doesn’t encourage people to take preventative action. By making gut health testing faster and easier, uBiome will unquestionably have a massive impact.”

Dr. Jessica Richman, co-founder and CEO of uBiome, explains: “SmartGut will allow patients to work with their doctors to assess the health of their microbiome. Tens of thousands of citizen scientists helped to make this possible, and we’re very grateful for their help and support.”

Dr. Zachary Apte, co-founder and CTO of uBiome adds: “The SmartGut test is a transformation of the way we think about clinical microbiology. It leverages the power of DNA sequencing to test for various microorganisms simultaneously and puts the power of microbial genomics into the hands of clinicians. uBiome and our citizen science partners have assembled the largest database of human microbiomes ever, allowing us to define reference ranges from healthy individuals for every single target.”

Founded in 2012, uBiome is the world’s leading microbial genomics company. uBiome is funded by Y Combinator, Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and other leading investors. uBiome’s mission is to explore important research questions about the microbiome and to develop accurate and reliable clinical tests based on the microbiome.