by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – A BRITISH health technology company is expanding its presence in South Africa with an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to tackle chronic diseases through personalised nutrition and microbiome science.
ENBIOSIS Biotechnology has unveiled ENBIOSIS 2.0, an upgraded platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin technology to develop customised nutraceutical formulations tailored to an individual’s gut microbiome.
The development comes as South Africa grapples with a growing burden of chronic illnesses, including Type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders and other non-communicable diseases linked to lifestyle and metabolic factors.
Unlike conventional approaches that focus primarily on symptom management, the platform analyses a person’s gut microbiome and predicts how specific food-grade ingredients will influence microbial activity.
The system then formulates personalised nutritional blends intended to stimulate beneficial biological responses associated with improved health outcomes.
The company has operated in South Africa since 2023 and this week deepened its engagement with local universities and healthcare institutions.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ömer Özkan, together with Chief Technology Officer Prof. Dr. Özkan Ufuk Nalbantoglu, are participating in discussions with medical faculties and clinical educators aimed at integrating microbiome science into healthcare training.
According to the company, the microbiome – the vast ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms residing in the digestive tract – has been linked to more than 100 health conditions, ranging from irritable bowel syndrome and autoimmune disorders to neurological diseases.
The technology’s scientific foundation has gained international recognition. The company’s microbiome algorithms were adopted by the Earth Microbiome Project, one of the world’s largest microbiome research programmes.
ENBIOSIS said its latest platform has already produced promising clinical results. A formulation developed for dry eye disease reportedly improved tear production by 60.7 per cent among trial participants, outperforming commonly prescribed treatments over the same period.
The company’s 2026 clinical pipeline includes research into inflammatory bowel disease, Type 2 diabetes, dermatological disorders and neurological conditions.
With clinical trials underway across six disease areas and partnerships spanning 16 countries, ENBIOSIS believes artificial intelligence and microbiome science could play a growing role in preventative and personalised healthcare, particularly in countries such as South Africa where chronic diseases continue to place increasing pressure on health systems.
– CAJ News