Lallemand Health Solutions and Université Laval Launch a Strategic Collaboration to Advance Healthy Aging Research

Mirabel (Canada) May 25, 2026 — Lallemand Health Solutions, an organization deeply committed to research excellence and innovation in human health, announce it has entered into a collaborative research project focused on developing a new generation of biotics in collaboration with research teams from Université Laval. This project involves researchers from the Research Centers of the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ)-Université Laval and of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval and the Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF) of Université Laval. This initiative aims to support cardiometabolic and neurocognitive health throughout aging, by advancing safe, scientifically validated nutritional solutions grounded in robust translational science.

As population ages worldwide, the risk of cardiometabolic and cognitive disorders continues to rise, creating an urgent need to develop strategies that address the underlying biological mechanisms of aging. It is well established that the gut microbiota and intestinal health are altered with aging and may contribute to declines in cardiometabolic and neurocognitive functions.

“Our approach relies on an integrated translational strategy that combines human data, predictive preclinical models, and in‑depth mechanistic analyses,” explains Stéphane Bronner, Ph.D., Translational Research Director at the Rosell® Institute of Microbiome and Probiotics, Lallemand Health Solutions’ main research center. “The objective is to generate product candidates that are ready for clinical validation. This collaboration builds on our fully integrated innovation pipeline, from early discovery through preclinical validation.”

The partnership brings together highly complementary capabilities. Lallemand Health Solutions contributes its portfolio of more than 40 proprietary probiotic strains and its extensive expertise in probiotic development, while Université Laval Research Centers provide access to a unique biobank derived from human cohorts and state-of-the-art research platforms and core facilities. This combination enables a strong translational framework, linking human-derived insights with advanced experimental models.

“With this project, our goals are to identify and characterize beneficial bacterial strains and consortia, to demonstrate their efficacy on cardiometabolic, cognitive, and inflammatory markers associated with aging, and ultimately to develop one or more candidates ready for human clinical validation,” says André Marette, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and researcher at the IUCPQ and INAF at Université Laval.

The research program follows a progressive and integrated approach. Initial screening and prioritization of strains will be conducted using in silico analyses and existing datasets, followed by high‑throughput functional screening in preclinical models to identify signatures associated with longevity, metabolic health, and neurocognitive function. Promising candidates will then be evaluated in an in vivo model of accelerated aging, incorporating comprehensive cardiometabolic, intestinal, and neurocognitive phenotyping to support preclinical validation.

To strengthen scientific understanding and support robust substantiation, the project also includes an in‑depth investigation of the biological mechanisms underlying the observed effects. These analyses will explore changes in gut microbiota composition and function, short‑chain fatty acids and bile acid metabolism, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, nitric oxide signaling, the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, and neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in aging.

This project involves researchers from CRIUCPQ-UL; André Marette, Frédéric Picard and Alexandre Caron, CHU de Québec-UL; Frédéric Calon and Olivier Barbier, and INAF; Marie-Claude Vohl. Through this collaboration, Lallemand Health Solutions and Université Laval aim to identify novel, high‑value microbial ingredients, develop innovative formulations targeting healthy aging, and generate strong scientific data to support future clinical trials

About Lallemand Health Solutions

With more than 90 years of expertise, Lallemand Health Solutions is a global leader in the probiotic industry, specializing in the development, production, and marketing of bacteria‑ and yeast‑based probiotic solutions for human health. The company is committed to advancing scientifically substantiated ingredients supported by rigorous research and clinical validation.

About the Rosell® Institute of Microbiome and Probiotics

The Rosell® Institute of Microbiome and Probiotics is the main research center of Lallemand Health Solutions, dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge on probiotics, the gut microbiome, and their role in human health. The Institute conducts translational research spanning discovery, preclinical evaluation, mechanistic investigation, and clinical validation, and collaborates closely with academic and clinical partners worldwide to support the development of scientifically substantiated probiotic solutions.

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Marilou Luneau
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Lallemand Health Solutions
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