University of Connecticut
At the intersection of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge chemistry, a startup in UConn’s Technology Incubation Program (TIP) is transforming how we understand human health. What began as pioneering university research has become Arome, a mission-driven company dedicated to giving healthcare providers and patients the data they need to make smarter, individualized decisions—a cornerstone of targeted therapies and precision health.
Metabolomics is the study of metabolites, the thousands of small molecules produced as the body processes food, medications, and other substances. These molecules provide a real-time snapshot of how the body is functioning. By analyzing them, researchers and healthcare providers can gain valuable insights into nutrition, disease risk, treatment response, and overall wellness.
From helping patients track the subtle effects of nutrition to optimizing treatment regimens for complex diseases, Arome’s technologies are designed to empower people everywhere to take control of their health. Their impact reaches local clinics, national healthcare systems, and global health initiatives that increasingly rely on precision diagnostics.
Founded by Dr. Alexander Aksenov, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at UConn, and Dr. Alexei Melnik, a former UConn researcher now leading Arome’s research and product development, the company is powered by a shared passion: helping people better understand their bodies, diets, and the medicines they depend on.
Arome’s breakthrough lies in Mass Spectrometry-Based Urine Tests for Untargeted Metabolomics, licensed from UConn. This revolutionary approach analyzes fragments from mass spectrometry data to detect and map thousands of compounds—far beyond what conventional diagnostic labs can achieve. When paired with Arome’s AI and machine learning algorithms, the technology reveals how diets, medications, and supplements interact within the body, providing insights essential for personalized medicine.
UConn’s Technology Commercialization Services (TCS) team has been central to Arome’s success. By protecting intellectual property (seven patents and more in progress), facilitating licensing, and nurturing the company within UConn TIP, the university has provided the resources and environment Arome needed to grow. TIP’s state-of-the-art labs and entrepreneurial community helped Arome secure partnerships with global leaders in instrumentation and diagnostics, ensuring its innovations scale to meet worldwide demand. Arome is already actively selling its diagnostic solutions and has secured investments, making it a revenue-generating business poised for continued growth.
With strong intellectual property, world-class research, and a growing team of innovators, Arome is positioned to revolutionize how we view metabolomic health. Their technologies are more than scientific breakthroughs—they are tools for humanity. By unlocking the mysteries of how our bodies process what we eat and the medicines we take, Arome is helping build a healthier, more informed world for all.