AIG Hospitals Hyderabad Launches Lab to Study Gut Microbiome Pills for IBD

A dedicated Gut Microbiome Therapeutics and Pill Lab was launched at AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad on Saturday to study whether oral capsules prepared from the faecal matter of healthy donors can treat patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

The gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms residing in the digestive system that play a key role in immunity, metabolism, inflammation, and gut function. Medical experts noted that imbalances in these microorganisms have been linked to several illnesses, particularly IBD. The initiative aims to move beyond observational studies to explore therapeutic applications.

As part of the project, potential donors will undergo comprehensive screening, including detailed interviews regarding their medical and gut health history, followed by mandatory blood and other laboratory tests. Selected healthy donors will then provide samples at the facility under controlled conditions.

The laboratory will process these samples into oral microbiome capsules under research protocols. All formulations will be subjected to microbiome profiling, safety checks, quality assessments, and documentation before being utilised in clinical research. Researchers will evaluate both dry and wet formulations; dry capsules offer longer home storage, while wet preparations demand stricter preservation conditions.

Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, said that restoring microbial balance holds significant potential for managing chronic inflammatory diseases. He emphasised that the capsules are intended exclusively for research under approved clinical protocols and medical supervision, rather than routine patient care.

Dr Rupa Banerjee, director of the IBD Centre at AIG Hospitals, noted that strict screening and monitoring protocols must be followed at every stage, from donor selection to capsule preparation. The laboratory will also establish a microbiota biobank to generate India-specific data on microbiome patterns, disease progression, relapse prediction, and treatment response. International microbiome experts, including Prof Michael Kamm from Australia, also participated in the launch.