Isala
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersAntwerp, Belgium
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Isala firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Isala
- Legal name
- Isala
- Website
- https://isala.be
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Isala industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Microbiome Research
- NAICS
- Medical Laboratories (621511)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microbiome Diagnostics & Biomarker Platforms (gut/skin/oral/vaginal) (HLAAAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microbiome Analytics, Sequencing & Bioinformatics Platforms (HLAAAFAI), Microbiome & Metagenomics Services (HLAGANAH), Microbiome Clinical Development & Translational Services (trial design, endpoints, sampling) (HLAAAFAK), Genomics & Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Services (HLAGANAA)
Keywords
Where Isala is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Antwerp
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Isala business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Research Grants and Institutional Funding: Isala is primarily funded through research grants from institutional sources. Primary funding comes from the European Research Council (ERC) under Horizon 2020 (Grant agreement 852600 Lacto-Be). Additional funding from the University of Antwerp, and project-specific grants such as the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation Belux Grant 2024. The project also receives support through donations and sponsorship packages (Gold €20,000/year, Silver €10,000/year, Bronze €5,000/year). Donations of €40 or more are tax-deductible in Belgium.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Free participation with optional €10 donation for shipping |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold Sponsorship: €20,000 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Silver Sponsorship: €10,000 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Bronze Sponsorship: €5,000 per year |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Isala product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Isala is a citizen-science research project at the University of Antwerp that uses DNA sequencing and bioinformatics to map and analyze the female vaginal microbiome. The project recruits adult women participants who self-collect vaginal, stool, skin, and saliva samples at home, which are analyzed in the lab using DNA barcoding, genome sequencing, and metabolomics. Participants receive personal microbiome reports and contribute to advancing women's health research across multiple daughter studies covering vitamins, menstrual products, menstrual cycle, family heritability, Ramadan fasting, yeast infections, and forensic applications.
Product overview
Isala is a citizen-science research initiative at the University of Antwerp studying the female microbiome through DNA technology. The core platform coordinates large-scale vaginal microbiome research with over 5,500 women participants. The project operates multiple daughter studies examining different aspects of vaginal health: Sisterhood (international expansion), Rufaida (Ramadan fasting effects), VIAB2L (vitamin B2 supplementation), Luna (menstrual products), EMIRA (menstrual cycle), Maggie (mother-daughter heritability), and DeVEnIR (yeast infections). Additionally, GeneDoe applies microbiome research to forensic science for sexual assault cases.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VIAB2L: Study investigating the effect of vitamin B2 on women's health
- Luna
- EMIRA
- Rufaida
- DeVEnIR
- Maggie
- GeneDoe
- Leke
- Laura
- Marie
- Dora
- Fatima
- Clelia
Products and services
- Isala Core Research Platform A citizen-science research initiative at the University of Antwerp using advanced DNA sequencing technology to map and understand the female vaginal microbiome. Adult women participants self-collect vaginal, stool, skin, and saliva samples at home and receive personal microbiome reports in return.
- Isala Sisterhood International expansion program with sister projects in Peru (Laura), Switzerland (Marie), Cameroon (Leke), Nigeria (Dora), Morocco (Fatima), and Italy (Clelia) adapting Isala's citizen-science methodology to local contexts to study vaginal health across diverse populations.
- Rufaida (Ramadan) Study Daughter study investigating the effects of Ramadan fasting on the vaginal microbiome and gut bacteria in Muslim women aged 18+. Participants provide samples before, during, and after Ramadan to understand how intermittent fasting affects the vaginal and gut microbiome.
- VIAB2L (Vitamins) Study Intervention study examining the effect of vitamin B2 (riboflavine) and vitamin-producing lactobacilli on women's health, featuring the Limosilactobacillus reuteri AMBV339 bacterium identified through Isala research as a potential probiotic for women's health.
- Luna (Menstrual Products) Study Daughter study examining how different menstrual hygiene products (pads, tampons, menstrual cups, underwear) affect the vaginal and vulvar microbiome. Adult Dutch-speaking women aged 18+ test five different menstrual products across five consecutive cycles.
- EMIRA (Menstrual Cycle) Study Daughter study exploring changes in cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle and identifying which proteins are responsible for these changes, providing a new compass for understanding the menstrual cycle.
- Maggie (Family) Study Daughter study investigating the heritability of vaginal bacteria between mothers and daughters, aiming to develop strategies for transferring beneficial vaginal bacteria to future generations to support women's health.
- DeVEnIR (Fungal Infections) Study Daughter study investigating the role of the vaginal microbiome in recurrent vaginal yeast infections caused by Candida albicans, aiming for improved diagnostics and therapies, including development of vaginal vaccines against Candida.
- GeneDoe (Forensic) Project Daughter project applying microbial fingerprinting as biological trace evidence in sexual assault cases, studying bacteria on underwear (and other garments) as forensic evidence. Microbial DNA is stable for up to 8 months and is more resistant to time and temperature than human DNA.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 6,000 registrations received within days of launching in 2020, making Isala the largest vaginal microbiome study in the world
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Isala
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Isala technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
Isala partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of AntwerpcoreIsala is a citizen-science project hosted within the Laboratory for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (LAMB) at the Faculty of Science of the University of Antwerp. The university provides the research infrastructure, lab facilities, staff, and institutional backing. Led by Prof. Sarah Lebeer since 2012.
- Biobank Antwerpen / Universitair Ziekenhuis AntwerpencoreSamples are stored in the Biobank Antwerpen and Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen for potential future scientific follow-up research, under strict ethical and privacy protocols.
- Studentenvereniging NiyyahminorIslamic student organization at the University of Antwerp that co-organized an iftar event and mini-symposium with Isala for about 50 women during Ramadan 2025, focusing on the Rufaida project.
- Prof. Charlotte De Backer / MIOS UAntwerpen Research GroupcoreCollaborates on questionnaire design, participant motivation, and science communication for Isala studies, particularly the Rufaida Ramadan study and VIAB2L vitamin study.
- Studio MariaminorDesign partner that designed the Isala website and branding materials, including the visual identity and graphic design.
- Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH)minorCollaborates with Isala to motivate participants and communicate about the importance of vaginal health, particularly within the Antwerp province.
- Sensoa vzwminorFlemish expertise center for sexual health that collaborates with Isala on science communication and participant engagement around women's health topics.
- Laura Project (Peru)coreSister project in Peru led by Dra. Sandra Condori and Dra. Viviana Pinedo y Dra. Graciela Meza (Universidad de la Amazonía Peruana) and Dra. Theresa Ochoa (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia). Studies vaginal microbiome in women from Lima and Iquitos. Coordinated by Sandra Condori from the Isala team.
- Marie Project (Switzerland)coreSister project in Switzerland, coordinated by Sandra Condori from the Isala team, adapting the Isala citizen-science methodology for Swiss participants.
- Leke Project (Cameroon)coreSister project in Cameroon led by Kenfack Josiane, investigating vaginal microbiome composition and exploring lactobacilli as probiotics in four groups: rural/urban women, HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women. Named after Prof. Rose Leke.
- Dora Project (Nigeria)coreSister project in Nigeria launched in 2024 with a symposium at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and an interactive radio show. Led by local researchers.
- Fatima Project (Morocco)coreSister project in Morocco focused on vaginal health and HPV research, part of the broader Isala sisterhood network.
- Clelia Project (Italy)coreItalian sister project coordinated by Vanessa Croatti, studying substances produced by beneficial vaginal bacteria and collaborating on the DeVEnIR daughter study.
- ISAPP (International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics)coreInternational scientific association for probiotics and prebiotics. Several Isala team members are active in ISAPP: Sarah Lebeer is a board member, Sarah Ahannach is on the ISAPP-SFA organizing committee. The association provides conference platforms and awards for Isala researchers.
- Advisory Board Partners (UZA, RZ Tienen, Femicare, Provincie Antwerpen, Endemic UA, Eliza)minorAdvisory board comprising UZA (University Hospital Antwerp), RZ Tienen, Femicare, Provincie Antwerpen, Endemic UA, and Eliza, providing medical, institutional, and strategic guidance to the Isala project.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Isala competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Concerto Biosciences: Biotechnology company using high-throughput microbial interaction screening to design microbial therapeutics, including in the women's health space. Comparable in applying advanced microbiome science to develop novel therapeutics, though focused on microbial combinations.
- Siolta Therapeutics: Clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company developing Live Biotherapeutic Products for inflammatory diseases. Comparable as a microbiome-based therapeutic developer working with consortia of commensal bacteria.
- Eligo Bioscience: Biotechnology company developing precision microbiome medicines using engineered phage and bacteriocins. Comparable in applying cutting-edge microbiome science for therapeutic applications, though focused on engineered approaches rather than natural isolates.
- Yaso Therapeutics: Women's health-focused biotechnology company developing microbiome-based therapeutics for gynecological conditions. Comparable in targeting vaginal microbiome to address unmet women's health needs, though at a more commercial development stage.
- American Gut Project: Citizen-science project at UC San Diego focused on characterizing the human gut microbiome through large-scale public participation. Comparable as a large-scale microbiome citizen-science research initiative using crowdsourced sampling and DNA sequencing, though focused on gut rather than vaginal microbiome.
Broad incumbents
- Rebiotix (Ferring): Pioneer in microbiome-based therapeutics, now part of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, with expertise in Live Biotherapeutic Products. Comparable in microbiome therapeutic development capability within the women's health ecosystem.
- Second Genome: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets from the microbiome. Comparable in applying microbiome science to drug discovery, though focused on small molecule therapeutics rather than live biotherapeutics.
- Evelo Biosciences: Clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral microbiome-based medicines for inflammatory diseases. Comparable in developing microbiome-based therapeutics using commensal bacteria, though focused on systemic indications.
- Ferring Pharmaceuticals: Global pharmaceutical company with significant women's health and reproductive medicine portfolio, including microbiome-focused investments. Comparable as a large player in women's health therapeutics, though operating across multiple therapeutic areas.
Direct peers
- Osel Inc. Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing microbiome-based therapeutics for women's health, including Lactin-V (Lactobacillus crispatus CTV-05) for bacterial vaginosis. Directly comparable as a vaginal microbiome therapeutic developer, though operating as a commercial entity rather than academic research project.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Isala social profiles
Digital presenceIsala compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Isala financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Isala leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Isala subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Isala funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Isala M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Isala
What does Isala do?
Isala is a citizen-science research project at the University of Antwerp that uses DNA sequencing and bioinformatics to map and analyze the female vaginal microbiome. The project recruits adult women participants who self-collect vaginal, stool, skin, and saliva samples at home, which are analyzed in the lab using DNA barcoding, genome sequencing, and metabolomics. Participants receive personal microbiome reports and contribute to advancing women's health research across multiple daughter studies covering vitamins, menstrual products, menstrual cycle, family heritability, Ramadan fasting, yeast infections, and forensic applications.
Is Isala a public or private company?
Isala is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Isala founded?
Isala was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Isala based?
Isala is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Isala make money?
One revenue line is on record: research Grants and Institutional Funding.
Who are Isala's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Concerto Biosciences, Siolta Therapeutics, Eligo Bioscience, Yaso Therapeutics and American Gut Project. Broad incumbents are Rebiotix (Ferring), Second Genome, Evelo Biosciences and Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Osel Inc. is listed as a direct peer.
Does Isala have an API?
No public API is recorded for Isala.
What industry is Isala in?
Isala's product category is Microbiome Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAFAH, Microbiome Diagnostics & Biomarker Platforms (gut/skin/oral/vaginal), with a secondary code of HLAAAFAI, Microbiome Analytics, Sequencing & Bioinformatics Platforms. Its NAICS code is 621511 and its SIC code is 2835.