Congratulations to FemmeBiome team as they successfully publish and pitch for investment.

23 Jun 2026

Congratulations to Professor Siobhain O'Mahony, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, founder and CEO of FemmeBiome^TM  and her research team as they publish a first review article and receive UCC invitation to pitch for investor funding. 

FemmeBiome, a recently incorporated limited company and UCC spin-out, is a women’s health innovation company that translates microbiome research into evidence backed solutions for women across the lifespan. Supported by UCC Innovation and Enterprise Ireland this team of scientists are on a mission to understand how the gut microbiome responds during periods of hormonal change. Led by Professor Siobhain O’Mahony, FemmeBiome initially explored, with an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation fund (2024-2026), how changes in the gut microbiome during perimenopause and menopause affect women’s brain health and well-being. During this time Prof O’Mahony applied her 20 years of research experience in the area of the microbiome-gut-brain axis and with her dedicated team developed and clinically tested the first product, FemmeBiome’s MoreMe. Pre-sales for this product, designed to balance hormones and improve well-being, will open on World Menopause Day, October 18^th 2026.  FemmeBiome’s mission is building clinically proven solutions that put women’s biology at the centre of health.

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 Dr Mariarosaria Cuozzo, Claire O’Connor, Ellie Power, Dr Eimear Gleeson and Professor Siobhain O’Mahony explore 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.

Following this publication, UCC Innovation invited Siobhain O'Mahony and Claire O'Connor of FemmeBiome to participate in a competitive investor showcase. Organised by UCC Innovation, the event brought together 12 early-stage start-ups from a range of emerging technology sectors to pitch their innovations to venture capital firms and angel investors for consideration for pre-seed and seed funding.

With over 70 attendees, the event was welcomed as an opportunity for FemmeBiome to hear and connect with other pre-spin-out and spin-out companies, and to meet and present to potential investors. The future is bright for the FemmeBiome team as they continue to push the boundaries of innovation, translating cutting-edge microbiome research into solutions that have the potential to transform women's health.

Links:

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

Photograph:  Bereniece Riedewald