Exclusive: BugSpeaks Unveils South Asia’s First Skin Microbiome Test with AI Analytics & Digital Health Reports

Leveraging genomics, big data, and machine learning, BugSpeaks expands into skin health.

BugSpeaks, the consumer brand of Leucine Rich Bio, has unveiled South Asia's first skin microbiome test - a breakthrough that promises to transform how individuals understand and care for their skin health. The launch marks a significant expansion beyond the company's flagship gut microbiome offering, bringing precision microbiome diagnostics to new areas of wellness and disease prevention.

BugSpeaks is the flagship consumer brand of Leucine Rich Bio Pvt. Ltd., South Asia's pioneering microbiome research company. While Leucine Rich Bio leads the R&D, regulatory, and product development efforts, BugSpeaks serves as its public-facing platform, offering advanced microbiome tests and related wellness products directly to consumers and healthcare providers.

In an exclusive conversation with Digital Health News, Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, Co-Founder & Director of Leucine Rich Bio, shared insights into the company's latest innovations, the tech powering its microbiome diagnostics, and the road ahead for personalized health in South Asia.

This is South Asia’s first skin microbiome test. What does that unlock for consumers & clinicians that wasn’t possible before?

Launched in 2024, South Asia’s first skin microbiome test by Leucine Rich Bio under the BugSpeaks brand decodes the microbial community on the skin to identify imbalances linked to issues, such as dryness, inflammation, aging, and a weakened skin barrier.

For consumers, it enables personalized skincare plans based on actual skin microbiome data, not just topical speculation, integrating probiotics, nutrients, and lifestyle changes tailored to each person. Clinicians benefit from new age science, allowing for targeted and preventive interventions and treatments grounded in microbial insights, rather than generalized approaches.

What makes the skin microbiome test possible now?

Our skin microbiome test is powered by breakthroughs in next-generation sequencing (NGS), advanced bioinformatics, and robust AI-driven interpretation. NGS platforms can now accurately profile low microbial biomass, such as skin swabs, where traditional methods failed.

Bioinformatics pipelines turn massive raw data into meaningful species and functional insights, while our proprietary algorithms translate these into actionable reports—highlighting imbalances, identifying risk zones, and delivering personalized recommendations for skin health.

Are you integrating these test results with digital health platforms or EMRs for instant clinician access?

At present, the BugSpeaks skin microbiome test serves as a wellness tool, not a medical diagnostic. However, reports are designed to be clinician-friendly, enabling dermatologists and wellness professionals to interpret findings and guide patient care.

As the evidence base grows, these insights may eventually be integrated into clinical decision support systems to inform diagnoses and treatment planning.

How does your AI & cloud infrastructure manage massive genomic datasets to deliver clinician-ready reports?

Our infrastructure combines scalable cloud storage with proprietary algorithms to efficiently analyze and interpret genomic data.

We process sequencing outputs to classify microbes, predict functions, and derive insights, all securely stored and processed in the cloud. Clinicians receive clear, visual summaries, risk scores, and tailored suggestions within a practical 2–3 week turnaround, with ongoing plans to further reduce this timeline.

BugSpeaks achieved 152% YoY revenue growth. What’s driving demand, & who’s driving it?

The 152% year-over-year growth stems from rising awareness of microbiome science, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as demand in both India and export markets such as the UAE, Qatar, and Brazil.

This growth is dual-natured: consumer-driven through direct-to-consumer kits for proactive wellness and physician-led, with clinics leveraging microbiome insights for nutrition and lifestyle management. BugSpeaks has processed over 25,000 samples and nurtured partnerships with clinicians, wellness chains, and hospitals to meet this rising demand.

You’re collaborating with AIIMS Raipur on a cancer trial. How does microbiome science intersect with oncology in this project?

Our partnership with AIIMS Raipur explores how modulating the gut microbiome can enhance cancer treatment outcomes. Research shows that an imbalanced microbiome (dysbiosis) can impair immune surveillance, reduce therapy effectiveness, and exacerbate side effects.

By profiling patient microbiomes and introducing tailored nutritional or probiotic interventions, we aim to reduce treatment toxicity, boost efficacy, and potentially serve as biomarkers for early detection or therapy response, aligning with emerging fields like Oncobiomics PMC.

India is still early in microbiome awareness. What’s your biggest challenge in market education?

The hardest part remains overcoming misconceptions, many people still believe all bacteria are bad, and clinicians often lack familiarity with microbiome science.

Our strategy focuses on building trust through transparent, evidence-based education via clinical trials, obtaining certifications (e.g., NABH, NABL), and hosting webinars and local clinic outreach. We’re also addressing affordability by offering Indian-specific data and accessible test kits.

Could microbiome testing become as routine as blood tests in the next decade? 

We believe so. To get there, we need standardized testing protocols, robust clinical validation through trials, regulatory approvals, affordable pricing (under ₹1,000), clinician training, and integration into digital health systems and EMRs. This ecosystem must support seamless adoption for microbiome testing to become part of routine preventive healthcare.

How is testing the skin microbiome different from gut or oral microbiomes, scientifically & technically?

Skin microbiome testing presents unique challenges due to low microbial biomass and susceptibility to contamination.

Unlike gut or oral samples (stool/saliva), skin demands highly sensitive sampling (swabs) and low-input sequencing techniques to accurately profile microbes. Moreover, the skin’s acidic, dry environment hosts different microbial communities, requiring tailored bioinformatics analysis. Gut and oral microbiomes, by contrast, involve higher diversity and abundance, with interpretations focused more on metabolism and systemic health.

Are there plans for building a central microbiome data repository for India? 

Yes. We have already anonymized and GDPR-compliant data from over 25,000 sequenced samples. Building a centralized Indian microbiome repository would enable region-specific insights, highlighting diet-influenced microbial patterns and links to prevalent diseases like diabetes and IBD.

The global microbiome industry is becoming increasingly competitive. What’s your moat against international players entering India?

Our moat lies in our deep local roots, being South Asia’s first microbiome company with multiple certifications (NABH, NABL, ISO). We operate with India-specific datasets, solid clinician partnerships, and proven clinical efficacy.

We also own a robust analytics platform, proprietary algorithms, and a pan-India logistics network.

Our regional footprint extends across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, giving us a clear edge over global players lacking such localized infrastructure and trust.

How does your system ensure data privacy & HIPAA/GDPR compliance, especially given the identifiable nature of microbiome data?

We handle data with utmost confidentiality. All personal data is anonymized and stored securely.

Our protocols align with GDPR guidelines, ensuring informed consent and data de-identification. While microbiome signatures can be unique, they are never linked to identifiable information, and strict audit controls protect against re-identification, meeting standards akin to HIPAA.

Can consumers access their skin microbiome results via a mobile app?

Yes, they can currently view results through a secure online portal that provides personalized insights like probiotic and dietary suggestions.

We’re planning a mobile app upgrade for real-time tracking, alerts, and seamless recommendations to improve user engagement and wellness management.

Do you foresee a future where wearables or smart devices monitor microbiome changes in real time?

Absolutely. As biosensor technology evolves, we anticipate wearables capable of sampling from sweat, skin, or other accessible biofluids, combined with AI for real-time microbiome monitoring.

While challenges like sensor accuracy and data validation remain, this could become a reality within 8–15 years, paving the way for proactive health surveillance and early intervention.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News