Microbiome health company Biome Australia (ASX:BIO) has updated investors on the strain development program.
Biome said it has received positive results from the core functional characterisation studies conducted by the cell culture lab of one of its key research partners.
The company said these in vitro studies investigated several functional characteristics of Biome’s Lactobacillus plantarum BMB18 using two types of cell cultures - Caco-2 cell assays (a model of the intestinal epithelial barrier) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (used to study the stimulation of immune responses).
Biome said the report’s findings showcase this probiotic strain’s functional potential, demonstrating an ability to effectively modulate immune responses and inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and maintain intestinal barrier integrity.
The report will help inform future clinical research opportunities and potential health applications and targets for this strain.
The researchers indicated various aspects of health which the identified functional characteristics may positively impact. It was suggested that the ability of BMB18 to reduce inflammation and enhance immune responses in these studies may benefit conditions with immune dysregulation, such as chronic intestinal diseases or food intolerances.
It was also indicated that modulation of oxidative stress, which was demonstrated by BMB18, is a critical factor in conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Biome’s managing director and founder, Blair Vega Norfolk, said, “I am very pleased with this significant development and positive results in the BMB18 program. This new data provides Biome with critical insights into the functional characteristics and potential downstream applications for the novel strain. As Biome continues the development of BMB18, as a key component of Vision 27, there is a significant potential commercial pipeline for the strain for new product development and also broadening the use of existing products.”