Copenhagen, Denmark – June 26th, 2023 – Alba Health, a Danish-Swedish start-up, is revolutionizing child health by targeting the root cause of chronic illnesses—our gut microbiome. With $2.5 million in funding, Alba Health aims to empower parents, prevent chronic diseases, and improve the lives of millions of children worldwide.
Childhood chronic illnesses like allergies, asthma, obesity, and diabetes are rampant, posing long-term health risks and impacting children’s well-being. Alba Health recognises the critical role of early gut health in shaping future outcomes. Studies show a strong link between early-life gut health and common childhood symptoms, as well as the development of chronic conditions.
Co-founded in 2022 by Eleonora Cavani, former BCG manager, and Prof. Willem M de Vos, Alba Health is dedicated to empowering families and advancing chronic disease prevention.
“I have severe allergies and eczema, and I know that lifestyle, in particular diet, strongly affects my symptoms, so I started to research why chronic conditions start and what it would take to stop them for good. With Alba Health, we are pursuing our vision to empower families in achieving a healthy lifestyle, whilst collecting anonymized data to advance chronic disease prevention,” explained Eleonora Cavani.
Alba Health acknowledges the ongoing scientific exploration surrounding the gut microbiome. “There is still a lot we don’t know about the gut microbiome,” said Prof. Willem M de Vos, highlighting the need for further research in this field.
Alba Health’s groundbreaking solution offers a child-specific gut microbiome test integrated with AI-powered technology. This innovation provides personalised diet recommendations based on a child’s unique gut microbiome, optimising health and reducing long-term risks. By equipping parents with actionable insights and science-driven advice, Alba Health aims to transform child health.
“We are excited about Alba Health’s unique approach to improving the life quality of newborns and their parents and the exceptionally strong team combining commercial and academic backgrounds,” added Jussi Sainiemi, Partner at Voima Ventures. Alba Health marks one of the first official investment from Voima Ventures newly closed 3rd fund.
Alba Health’s commitment to scientific rigor is exemplified through its collaboration with the University of Helsinki’s Health and Early Life Microbiota (HELMi) cohort. This renowned study has collected valuable data on early-life microbiome and child health, enhancing Alba Health’s expertise.
“While much remains to be discovered about the intricate workings of the gut microbiome, scientific evidence strongly suggests that microbial colonisation in early life significantly influences future health outcomes,” commented Eleonora Cavani. “We envision a future where every child has access to personalised health support based on their specific microbiome, empowering parents with actionable insights to optimise their children’s well-being.”
Furthermore, investor Petteri Lahtela, co-founder of Oura added “Personalised, actionable insights can have a significant impact on a person’s health and now it’s time to unlock this for children.”
With its cutting-edge approach and advancements in gut microbiome science, Alba Health is poised to transform the landscape of child health and drive the prevention of chronic diseases.
