Congratulations to FemmeBiome successfully publish and pitch for early stage investment

18 Jun 2026

Congratulations on the FemmeBiome team as they grow from strength to strength, recent publication followed by UCC invitation 

Femmebiome are a team of UCC scientists on a mission to understand how the gut microbiome responds during periods of hormonal change. Led by Professor Siobhain O’Mahony, FemmeBiome^TM  explore changes in the gut microbiome during perimenopause and menopause and decipher how these changes are linked to symptoms and risk of disease. Femebiome's goal is to develop scientifically backed, clinically validated interventions to improve women’s overall health and wellbeing.

The Femmebiome team published its first review paper earlier in 2026 in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society titled “Gut-brain communications in menopause: insights into neuroendocrine and microbiome interactions”.

The review by authors Mariarosaria Cuozzo, Claire O’Connor, Ellie Power, Eimear M. Gleeson and Professor Siobhain O’Mahony explores how hormonal changes during menopause interact with the gut microbiome and the brain, shaping mood, cognition, inflammation and overall wellbeing. Understanding the gut–brain–hormone axis could open new opportunities to support women through this major life transition.

This publication was followed by a UCC invitation to join 12 early-stage startups, where Siobhain O’Mahony and Claire O’Connor of FemmeBiome joined other emerging technologies and companies, to pitch to venture capital and Angel Investors for pre-seed and seed funding consideration.

With over 70 attendees, the event created a great opportunity for FemmeBiome to hear and connect with other pre-spin-out and spin-out companies, welcoming exciting conversations with potential investors.

This is an exciting milestone for the FemmeBiome team as the team continue their innovative work.

UCC innovation pitch 4^th of February 2026, for FemmeBiome:

Links:

Femmebiome

Gut-brain communication in menopause: insights into neuroendocrine and microbiome interactions

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Siobhain Group image