Probi and Tervisetehnoloogiate Arenduskeskus, Estonia, also known as the Competence Centre on Health Technologies (CCHT), have signed a long-term collaboration agreement aimed to develop novel products based on probiotic lactobacilli strains. As part of the collaboration Probi will get access to a proprietary bacterial strain library.
Professor Reet Mändar, CCHT and University of Tartu, said: “We are hoping to introduce novel and scientifically validated probiotics with benefits for several gynaecological disorders. I am looking forward to this highly synergistic cooperation with our scientific expertise in combination with Probi’s skills in product development and commercialisation.”
70% of all women are estimated to experience at least one episode of yeast infection and 30% will suffer from bacterial vaginosis (inflammation caused by bacteria), among which many will have recurrent episodes1,2. One commonality in many vaginal infections is a disturbance of the vaginal microbiota where the normal protective lactobacilli dominated microbiota has been disrupted.
Titti Niskanen, Director R&D & Clinical Operations at Probi said: “Traditional treatment options have been centred around antibiotics and antifungals to get rid of the infection, but without focus on reestablishing a healthy balanced vaginal microbiota and in some cases causing an even more severe disruption. Thus, vaginal probiotics may have an important role in establishing healthy microbial communities in a natural way and thereby helping maintain vaginal health.”
Hardi Tamm, Development manager at CCHT added: “Probiotics have great potential to help reduce cases of recurrent infections, which sometimes can lead to more severe health conditions. Therefore, we are pleased to have reached a collaboration agreement with Probi and are looking forward to taking our existing know-how together to the next level in finding a health solution which meets the unmet needs of many women.”
There were 96 vaginal health supplement launches in 2020 and 74 of these contained probiotics. Clearly the consumer need, and the belief that probiotics might play an important role, is there, Probi says, but the question is if the current probiotic offerings meet the consumer expectations.
Tom Rönnlund, CEO, Probi said: “A long term collaboration with CCHT will add new expertise and opportunities into Probi’s R&D portfolio and we are excited about the formation of this new relationship.”
References
1) Yano, J. et al.(2019) BMC Women's Health 19 (48). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-019-0748-8
2) Peebles, K et al. (2019) Sexually Transmitted Diseases 46(5):304-311