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23 December 2025

Innovative Microencapsulation Approach for Intestinal Health

Innovative Microencapsulation Approach for Intestinal Health

Researchers from CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, won first place at the ELEVATE Case Competition, an international entrepreneurship challenge that invites multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions to complex real-world problems.

The distinction was achieved with GutHeal, an innovative functional nutrition solution designed to improve the quality of life of people living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The project earned the team a €2,000 monetary prize and secured direct entry into the next stage of the ELEVATE programme, dedicated to supporting the development of high-impact start-ups.

GutHeal addresses the limitations of existing functional nutrition options for IBD, including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. The solution targets patients in remission who continue to experience persistent inflammation, impaired nutrient absorption, and imbalances in gut microbiota.

The proposed approach combines highly digestible ingredients derived from insect larvae (Tenebrio molitor) with a pH-sensitive microencapsulation system that protects bioactive compounds until their targeted release in the intestine, where their action is most effective. This strategy enhances both nutritional and functional performance, responding directly to the specific needs of IBD patients.

The interdisciplinary team, which included Rita Almeida and Marcelo Costa, stood out before a national and international jury for integrating food biotechnology, biomedicine, and entrepreneurship. Beyond the financial award, the recognition represents an important step towards the valorisation and potential commercialisation of the concept.

Following the competition, the project was presented at the ELEVATE Phase I Conference, held on 17 December, which marked the conclusion of the first phase of the ELEVATE Project. The conference brought together partners, lecturers, mentors, and stakeholders from across Europe and showcased the main achievements of the ELEVATE Core Programme, reinforcing the role of initiatives such as GutHeal in bridging scientific research and entrepreneurial innovation.

CICECO’s participation in the ELEVATE programme underlines the institute’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research with societal impact and to strengthening the translation of scientific knowledge into innovative and entrepreneurial solutions.

Get to know more about Elevate: https://inspire-elevate.eu/

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