In 2008, UGent spin-off ProDigest opened its doors. The company was built around a machine called the SHIME®, an in vitro model for the entire human gastrointestinal tract, complete with stomach and small and large intestines. The immediate interest from the food industry quickly made ProDigest a household name in its niche market. Since its establishment, ProDigest has significantly expanded its technology and activities and has taken on the pharmaceutical and veterinarian industries as additional partners.