Back to homepage Our expertise: Microbiota

Unlock the potential of your prophylactic or therapeutic products targeting microbiomes – from strain selection to clinical studies.

For over 10 years, Smaltis has been exploring the key roles of human, animal, and environmental microbiota. Our team combines innovative in vitro models with validated methods to optimize your microbiome‑related products: Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs), probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics, extracts, and other compounds.
Through our two business units – Research Microbiology and Precision Microbiology – we cover the entire development cycle, from concept to clinical monitoring.

Our offer

A comprehensive approach to microbiome development from screening stages to clinical studies

DEVELOPMENT STEPS 1

RESEARCH AND SELECTION

2

Proof of Concept & Efficacy

3

Bioprocesses

4

(Pre)Clinical Studies & Monitoring

YOUR NEEDS

• Strain screening
• Regulatory data collection
• Optimization

• Demonstration of health benefits
• Mechanism of action analysis
• Biomarker identification (preclinical or clinical)

• Optimization of culture and bioproduction processes
• Batch quality control

• Clinical impact evaluation
• Biomarker monitoring
• Strain tracking

OUR SOLUTIONS

→ Strain identification
→ Functional and safety characterization (EFSA/QPS)
→ Targeted genomic modification

→ Studies on microbial population modulation
→ Gene expression quantification

→ Fermentation and yield optimization
→ Viability/CFU and stability tests
→ Strain inactivation and controls

→ Clinical sample analysis
→ Metagenomic studies
→ Data analysis support

Our Promise: Commitment and adaptability to drive your developments

They trust us

Testimonials and references

Karine ROGET
Chief Scientific Officer
NEXBIOME

As part of our programs to harness microbiota to improve human health, we called on Smaltis to demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of our pharmaceutical product to combat vaginosis. Smaltis demonstrated great expertise and efficiency in setting up relevant protocols adapted to our objective, while coping with the complexities inherent in handling particular strains in equally complex environments. The energy deployed by the Smaltis team and their ability to adapt have confirmed our choice of this expert, on whom we can rely for our other projects.

Vincent THOMAS
R&D Innovation Director,
LALLEMAND HEALTH SOLUTIONS

As part of our R&D projects to develop innovative new products, we collaborated with the specialist laboratory Smaltis, to support certain stages requiring specific microbiology expertise. The Smaltis team became fully involved in our projects, and together we were able to design the manipulations in line with our objectives and the scientific data in the literature. The strong partnership approach demonstrated by this research provider enabled us to obtain qualitative data in line with our objectives, and to be able to count on a team committed to working with us.

Pierre BELICHARD
CEO
ENTEROME

As part of the development of our candidate EB8018 designed to block bacteria expressing virulence factor FimH (a key inducer of the inflammatory cascade of the intestine, particularly in patients with Crohn disease), we have successively called upon the services of SMALTIS. In the preclinical phase, they first quantified in vitro the adhesion and invasion capacities of a collection of strains isolated from patients on a model of intestinal cell infection and then evaluated the impact of our molecule on these strains. The quality of the work performed, the level of expertise of the team combined with the ability to listen and adapt, led us to include SMALTIS as a service provider in our Phase 1b clinical study. The team developed a customized procedure to isolate and dissociate bacteria called "adherent" and "invasive" in intestinal biopsies, and then demonstrated the action of our EB8018 compound on these strains. SMALTIS continues to support the development of EB8018 in a phase 2a clinical trial.

Romain DAILLERE
Head of Preclinical Research - Co-founder
EVERIMMUNE

As part of the Oncobax®-AK project and the development of Live Biotherapeutic Products to potentiate the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies, we called upon Smaltis' services to characterize one of our candidate bacterial strains. The objective was to provide a complete file to the regulatory authorities regarding the characteristics of the strain, before initiating clinical studies. The Smaltis team worked hard to develop the protocols and test conditions necessary to determine the specificities of the strain of interest. The rigor shown by Smaltis' researchers, the quality and detail of the data transmitted, as well as the scientific relevance of the various characterization tests, allowed us to meet the regulatory requirements and to initiate the clinical trials with confidence. We are delighted to have collaborated with Smaltis.

Caroline GEBUS
Microbiology Quality Control
OM Pharma

We use Escherichia coli strains to manufacture our Uro-Vaxom® product for the prevention of recurrent lower urinary tract infections and co-treatment of acute urinary tract infections and, in accordance with regulatory requirements, we must demonstrate the stability of our strains. We therefore asked SMALTIS to develop a tailor-made quality control method. In addition to their ability to listen to customer needs and propose new ideas, the SMALTIS team has also distinguished itself by the quality and accuracy of its analysis reports. At present, the partnership established with SMALTIS is a real asset for OM Pharma.

Nicolas CHABERT
Chief Technical Officer
BIOINTRANT

As part of the development of our microbial biostimulants, and to ensure the health and safety of users of our products, we needed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of bacterial strains against a cell line. In this context, we turned to Smaltis to meet our needs. Their attentiveness and rigor in setting up the experimental conditions to perfectly match the expectations of the project, as well as the regular exchanges we benefited from, totally satisfied us. The analyses carried out met our strictest expectations in terms of safety of use, and provided us with reliable, interpretable results.

Nathalie ROUDIER
Science & Innovation Director
BIOPROX HEALTHCARE

In the context of the use of probiotic strains as dietary supplements, we needed to evaluate the inhibition potential of pathogenic strains. We identified Smaltis, with whom we were able to discuss the various possible models adapted to our needs. Smaltis was able to deploy and optimize a protocol to demonstrate the desired effects. The Smaltis team proved to be very attentive to our needs and was able to meet the challenges we faced in adapting to the constraints of the living world. We were also able to call on the company to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of probiotic strains, in line with EFSA recommendations. We will continue to call on the Smaltis team if we ever need to turn to a quality service provider specialized in microbiology and molecular biology.

Sophie MAC-MARY
CEO
SKINEXIGENCE

Smaltis is a laboratory that set up in the same building as our company, Skinexigence, from its inception. The proximity of our offices and the identification of a very interesting collaboration opportunity allowed us to quickly initiate a partnership to meet the growing demand from our clients for studies on the skin microbiota of volunteers. Specialized in the evaluation of the effectiveness of dermo-cosmetic products, it was only natural that we turned to Smaltis to provide our clients with expertise in the study of skin flora. For these studies, Smaltis performs skin sampling on our volunteers, sample preparation, and metagenomic analyses. The development of a very rigorous and calibrated protocol enables them to access relevant and reliable information regarding the evolution or not of the skin microbiota of a subject, in relation to the clinical parameters we observe.

Nicolas COULIN
Laboratory Manager
SOLICAZ

Solicaz develops natural bacterial biostimulation solutions to meet the challenges of agro-ecological transition and climate change. These PGPG (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) bacteria provide benefits for improving plant growth and resistance. In order to exploit their full potential, we needed to call on a molecular biology expert to robustly determine the identity of a pool of selected strains. We identified Smaltis, who fully met our expectations by providing comprehensive expertise. The laboratory proved to be a true partner of choice, with whom we worked jointly to identify and test the method best suited to our needs. Their flexibility and commitment ensure that we have reliable results, and despite the geographical distance that separates us, our various subsidiaries will continue to work with Smaltis.

Igor MIERAU
Director of Genetic Engineering and Manufacturing
AUREALIS THERAPEUTICS

Aurealis Therapeutics develops multi-target, scalable low COGS cell & gene therapies for unmet medical needs. As part of this effort, we needed to identify a laboratory to support specific research studies and meet regulatory objectives. We identified Smaltis, CRO expert in microbiology and molecular biology, able to answer our needs such as assessing the antimicrobial properties of some of our bacterial strains. We also exchanged about other protocols that could be put in place for our projects of strain characterization or clinical samples analysis. Smaltis is really a true partner for us, with which we can exchange about different purposes and collaborate to identify the best tests to be developed. We are happy to work with this passioned, reactive and flexible team!

News and articles

New Offer Structure: 2 Business Units Supporting Your Projects

At Smaltis, our ambition remains unchanged: bringing microbiological excellence to your innovations.
To better address the diversity of your needs, we have structured our offer around 2 complementary Business Units, true pillars of our scientific and technical commitment.

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Malassezia: Cultivating the Invisible – A Challenge Met

Some yeasts are particularly resistant… especially Malassezia restricta.

This lipophilic yeast, naturally present on human skin, is involved in various imbalances of the skin microbiota, notably those linked to dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. But cultivating it in the laboratory is no easy task!

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Talk and Cheese

Once upon a time was cheese, a high place of communication between fungi and bacteria.

Attracted by the smell of French cheeses, a team from Tufts University published work on how, in Camembert, Roquefort and other festivities, bacteria use compounds produced by fungi and adapt their behavior.

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Viruses at the service of humanity?

Once upon a time, the English bacteriologist Ernest Hankin demonstrated for the first time the presence of anti-bacterial entities in the waters of Indian rivers, putting humanity on the path to a promising anti-infectious therapy that is more relevant than ever.

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ECCMID – ESCMID Global

Smaltis attends the 34th edition of the ECCMID international congress, renamed ESCMID Global, in Barcelona from April 27 to 30, 2024. This clinical microbiology and infectious diseases event is one of the largest and most important congresses in the field of infection, bringing together over 16,000 participants from all over the world to contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge.

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Sanofi Vaccines R&D Day

Smaltis attends the Sanofi Vaccines R&D Day, organized by Sanofi in partnership with Lyonbiopôle, Enosis Santé and Polepharma!
This event aims to foster partnerships around 5 themes: antimicrobial approaches, therapeutic vaccines and antibodies, mucosal or skin delivery of vaccines, immunology, and antigen design. Quite a program!

Cédric Muller will be present at this event, which will take place on April 11, 2024, at 14 Espace Henry Vallée in Lyon.

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Microbiota & Health Day 7th edition

Smaltis is delighted to be taking part in the 7th edition of Microbiota & Health Day, organized by Lyonbiopôle and Alliance Promotion Microbiote, on March 26, 2024 in Lyon. The aim of this day is to bring together academic, clinical and industrial players to discuss topical issues that are driving innovation in the field of microbiota and their impact on health.

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AMR Conference 8th edition

Smaltis is happy to participate to the 8th edition of AMR Conference in Basel from March 6th to 7th 2024, a platform for SMEs, start-ups, big pharma, academia, investors and public institutions to discuss strategies and specific challenges faced by the innovation ecosystem in bringing new antimicrobial treatments and diagnostics to the market.

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The same… But better!

The year 2024 marks the 10th anniversary (already!) of the Smaltis adventure! 10 years of microbiology, 10 years of molecular biology, 10 years of passion, 10 years of twists and turns, 10 years of growth, 10 years of self-reflection, 10 years of continuous improvement, 10 years of scientific spirit, 10 years of ambition, 10 years of collaboration, 10 years of human relationships…

It was necessary to celebrate this milestone, and not just by blowing out the candles.

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The Polepharma Microbiomics Days

Smaltis is delighted to have participated in and sponsored, for the fourth consecutive year, the Polepharma Microbiomics Days, held in Rouen on November 22 and 23, 2023.

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