Quorum Innovations has been invited to participate in the HHS STOMP initiative in Washington, D.C., recognizing the company’s growing role as a subject matter expert (SME) on microplastics and human health. This invitation places Quorum alongside federal leadership and key stakeholders working to better understand and address the impact of microplastic exposure. As a physician-scientist–founded organization with DARPA-validated barrier technologies and early human evidence demonstrating microplastic binding, Quorum is positioned to contribute both scientific insight and practical solutions. Their involvement reflects a broader shift toward proactive, prevention-focused strategies in public health. At the forefront of this national effort, Quorum will help shape the dialogue and direction of microplastics mitigation in the United States.   Quorum will also provide regular updates on the evolving direction and developments from the HHS STOMP program—stay tuned.

A five-participant interventional crossover human study demonstrated that Qi601 physically binds with microplastic particles released during gum chewing under microscopic analysis. Follow-on laboratory digestion simulations exposing Qi601-bound nanoplastics to sequential saliva, gastric, intestinal, and colonic fluids showed ~98% retention of bound nanoplastics compared with untreated controls, supporting stability of the Qi601 binding matrix through modeled gastrointestinal digestion.

SARASOTA, Fla., March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Quorum Innovations announced today that new peer-reviewed research demonstrating the rapid capture of nanoplastics by its proprietary technology, Qi601™, has been accepted for presentation at the 29th Annual TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo, taking place March 10–12, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The presentation, titled "Binding of Nanoplastics by a Novel Biofilm Postbiotic Qi601," will be delivered on March 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST. The research was conducted by Phineas Monsul and Eva Berkes, MD, of Quorum Innovations and was accepted following peer review. The study shows that Qi601™, a non-living postbiotic derived from a beneficial bacterial biofilm, rapidly binds nanoplastics—ultra-small plastic particles increasingly found in food, water, and human tissues. Imaging revealed that nanoplastics tightly attach to Qi601's natural biofilm structure, becoming trapped rather than remaining free-floating. In laboratory tests designed to simulate digestive conditions, Qi601 captured up to 98% of nanoplastics, suggesting it may reduce the likelihood of these particles being absorbed into the body. Qi601 is derived from Lactobacillus fermentum, a probiotic strain recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA GRAS Notice No. GRN 000988). Because Qi601 is not alive, it avoids risks associated with introducing live microbes while retaining natural binding properties. This work builds on Quorum Innovations' prior DARPA-supported research, developing biological barrier technologies to prevent harmful particles from crossing critical biological boundaries. The company is now applying these defense-grade principles to address everyday civilian exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics. In connection with this research, Quorum Innovations has also published From Miracles to Menace: How Plastics Rewrote Human History, a book examining the rise of plastics and their emerging impact on human health. The company has shared the book with policymakers involved in advancing the Microplastics Safety Act.