Sam Possemiers

Sam Possemiers graduated in 2003 from Ghent University (Belgium) as bioscience engineer. In 2007 he obtained a PhD degree in the field of intestinal microbiology and polyphenol metabolism at Ghent University. After his PhD he worked as a post-doctoral researcher at Ghent University on the interaction between the intestinal microbiome and human health, with respect to obesity and immune health.

In 2008, he co-founded ProDigest and acts as Managing Director since the start. As spin-off from Ghent University (Belgium) and specialized in the study of the human intestine and its microbiome, ProDigest positions itself at the center of gut microbiome research. On the one hand, ProDigest develops unique laboratory models of the human intestine, among which its proprietary SHIME® technology, which it uses to provide customized services in the field of gastrointestinal transit, bioavailability and metabolism, to the operators in the food and pharmaceutical sector. On the other hand, ProDigest initiated a parallel activity in 2013, in which it applied its gut and microbiome expertise to set up a separate business unit aiming to develop innovative microbiome-based live therapeutics targeting immune-related diseases.

From 2007 to 2017 he was also active as Research Director of BioActor, a health ingredient development company active in age-related disorders, such as the metabolic syndrome, weight management, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases.