How MicrobioTx is using AI and a finger-prick test to decode gut health

The human gut contains trillions of microbes that influence digestion, immunity, metabolism, and even mental health. Yet despite growing research linking the gut microbiome to overall wellness, very few people actually measure or understand their gut health scientifically.

Most microbiome tests available today rely on stool samples—a process that many people find inconvenient, expensive, and time-consuming.

This gap between scientific research and practical adoption is what MicrobioTx is trying to address.

Founded by Akanksha Gupta along with microbiome researcher Dr Palok Aich(Dean R & D and Professor at NISER Bhubaneswar), the Bengaluru-based startup has developed an AI-powered Gut Function Test that uses a simple finger-prick blood sample to profile an individual’s gut microbiome and generate personalised health insights.

“We realised that while research on the gut microbiome was growing rapidly, its translation into clinical practice and preventive healthcare remained limited,” Gupta tells YourStory. “People talk about gut health from a lifestyle perspective—fermented foods, probiotics—but very few actually measure their gut health.”

From pharma experience to microbiome innovation

Gupta spent over a decade in the pharmaceutical industry working across therapeutic areas such as gastroenterology, diabetes, and dermatology. After completing her MBA in 2008, she managed several products across their lifecycle—from new launches to mature brands generating over Rs 100 crore in revenue.

“My last assignment involved bringing a major healthcare innovation to India,” she says. “That experience made me reflect on wanting to build innovations from India for the world.”

Around the same time, Gupta connected with microbiome researcher Dr Palok, who had been working on new approaches to studying gut microbes. With early support from Axilor Ventures, the duo began exploring how microbiome research could be translated into accessible healthcare solutions.

The company was officially registered in December 2022. After completing research, clinical validation, and regulatory approvals, MicrobioTx launched its Gut Function Test in October 2024.

Rethinking gut microbiome testing

Traditional gut microbiome tests typically analyse microbes directly from stool samples. 

MicrobioTx takes a different approach by analysing metabolites—chemical compounds released by gut microbes that circulate in the bloodstream.

“Instead of measuring microbes directly, we measure the metabolites they release into the blood,” Gupta explains. “The correlation between these metabolites and gut microbes has already been established in scientific research. Using machine learning, we can trace those metabolite signatures back to predict microbial patterns.”

At the core of the platform is a patented AI and machine learning model developed through research collaborations with institutions such as AIIMS and NISER.

The model has been trained on data from thousands of individuals across diverse health and lifestyle profiles.

Once a user’s sample is received—collected through five drops of blood placed on a specialised test card—standard laboratory analysis identifies up to 10,000 metabolites from the sample. These metabolite signatures are then processed by the AI model to predict the presence of over 300 microbial genera.

The system then benchmarks this data to identify gut imbalance, also known as dysbiosis, and evaluate how it may affect broader health functions.

Clinical studies validating the technology were conducted at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and NISER Bhubaneswar, with additional collaborations involving Maulana Azad Medical College and Aster Hospitals.

MicrobioTx says it currently holds a granted patent in India for this testing approach and has filed for patents in the United States and Europe.

Understanding gut health beyond digestion

The Gut Function Test is priced at around Rs 3,540, making it significantly cheaper than many stool-based microbiome tests in the market, which typically cost between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000.

After testing, users receive a detailed report offering a 360-degree overview of their gut health.

The report assesses gut diversity and examines how the microbiome supports five key physiological functions: immunity, weight management, sugar metabolism, gastrointestinal health, and mental wellness.

Users are also offered a 20-minute consultation with a microbiologist to help interpret the results.

“This consultation focuses on helping users understand what their gut profile means and how they can improve it through nutrition and lifestyle choices,” Gupta says.

Based on the insights, users can access personalized dietary recommendations designed to support microbial balance.

One of the company’s key offerings is Personal ProbioTx, a hyper-personalised probiotic formulation created using FSSAI-approved strains and customised based on each individual’s gut profile.

“The gut microbial profile is as unique as a fingerprint,” Gupta says. “So it doesn’t make sense for everyone to take the same probiotic.”

Bridging science and everyday wellness

Despite growing awareness of gut health globally, the concept remains relatively new for many consumers in India.

“The biggest challenge we face is awareness,” Gupta says. “People understand the concept of gut health, but convincing them that a simple finger-prick test can accurately profile their microbiome requires education.”

To build credibility, MicrobioTx continues to invest in clinical trials and research collaborations with academic institutions.

The company also works closely with doctors and healthcare practitioners, as microbiome testing in India is still largely referral-driven.

Revenue model and growth plans

MicrobioTx generates revenue through multiple channels, including its Gut Function Test, consultation and interpretation services, hyper-personalised probiotics, and personalised nutrition and lifestyle recommendations delivered through digital tools. 

The company has raised equity funding from Axilor Ventures and has also secured research grants to support product development and innovation. With its products now commercially available, the startup is focusing on building adoption and scaling its platform.

The India gut health supplements market size was valued at $ 565.51 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $1,619.56 million by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 11.07% from 2026-2034.

Leucine Rich Bio by Kumar Sankaran, Debojyoti Dhar, and Prabhath Manjappa Kamath is also operating in the same space.

Over the long term, MicrobioTx plans to expand beyond gut health into other areas of the human microbiome while building targeted solutions for specific health conditions.

“Our goal is to make gut health testing as routine as other preventive health tests,” Gupta says.

The company also plans to expand internationally once it establishes stronger adoption in India.

“We want to build innovations that originate in India but can serve global markets,” Gupta adds.