The Danish start-up has developed a supplement that enhances gut health and mitochondrial activity by combining pomegranate extract with Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), a patent-pending formula.
Ellagitannins found in pomegranate peel transform into urolithins via gut microbiota, facilitating mitophagy—the clearance of damaged mitochondria—to support the generation of new mitochondria.
However, as Mads Bjørnhof, chief commercial officer, explained to NutraIngredients, approximately 50% of individuals over the age of 40 struggle to produce sufficient urolithin A.
As urolithin A production is limited by the specific bacterial strains present in an individual’s gut, as well as the overall health and composition of their microbiome, there is a necessity for urolithin A solutions.
“By naturally enhancing urolithin production, Migalis seeks to improve the gut health, cellular function and energy levels of a wide range of the population,” he said.
Combined forces
The start-up was born from the chance meeting of two co-founders from different fields, Leif Helth Jensen and Ina Giversen. Jensen was the first CEO of Glycom, the HMO producer that was acquired by DSM in 2020. Giversen had a background in supplements and founded male fertility supplement brand Punalpin using pomegranate-based products.
Punicalagins are polyphenolic compounds responsible for many of the health benefits associated with pomegranate, thanks to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
The challenges in converting pomegranate into urolithin A due to gut microbiome limitations sparked their joint interest in exploring the combination of HMOs with pomegranate extract to stimulate gut bacteria for efficient urolithin A production.
In vitro and human studies revealed that the combination could enhance urolithin A production in individuals with suboptimal gut microbiomes. From there, the founders developed the product combining HMOs and a high-punicalagin pomegranate extract.
“HMOs are selective in their action, stimulating only the beneficial bacteria without the unwanted effects that some other prebiotics might have,” Bjørnhof said.
Blends to boost athlete gut health
Migalis ApS now focuses its attention on endurance athletes, offering the product in dissolvable powder blends for convenience.
This approach aligns with the company’s broader goal of optimizing health through gut microbiome and mitochondrial support, targeting areas like sports nutrition while exploring further applications such as healthy aging.
Mitophagy helps prevent the buildup of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintains the efficiency of energy production.
This, Bjørnhof explained, is imperative in the context of sports nutrition, as it may enhance athletic performance and recovery by promoting muscle health and reducing inflammation.
“A high percentage of endurance athletes, especially in ultra-running and triathlons, face severe GI issues during prolonged intense exercise,” he said. “These disruptions significantly affect training and performance.
The Migalis solution aims to address these gut issues to the benefit of many endurance athletes.
“Furthermore, by improving mitochondrial health, we can enhance energy availability, reduce muscle fatigue, and shorten recovery times.”
Building consumer trust through community
Bjørnhof said that a major challenge for Migalis lies in transitioning from a technological platform to a targeted consumer brand.
“The health space is intricate, with increasing consumer awareness of terms like probiotics and prebiotics, necessitating clear and focused messaging that highlights the value to the consumer,” he noted.
The company has intentionally delayed full commercialization in order to prioritize community-building and ongoing dialogue with lead users.
“Our community shares feedback, helps refine communication strategies, and educates others,” Bjørnhof said.
“We count on their engagement to close gaps, stay connected with consumers and build trust and credibility as we navigate regulations.”
Bjørnhof will be presenting Migalis ApS on stage during the IPA world congress + Probiota 2025, to be held in Copenhagen from Feb. 5 to 7.
