Alfa-streptococcal strains were purchased in combination with Lactobacillus strains and accompanying patent from Probac, a Swedish manufacturer of probiotics that target bacterial infections of the ear, nose and throat, the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system.
Administering probiotics targeted for use in ENT prevention directly after first treatment with antibiotics helps rapid regrowth of natural microbiota and commensal bacteria to protect against recurrent pathogens, Winclove said.
Winclove has previously won claims for a multi-strain probiotic blend for products targeting vaginal health under European Union medical devices legislation and can be used in the EU's 28 member states.
Targeted treatment
Dr Coline Gerritsen, scientist for genomics and product development at Winclove Probiotics, told us that the 10 strains are different from others Winclove uses in that they have been specifically isolated from the nasopharynx, the location in the human body that the company’s new products will target.
“They have been selected for their potential to inhibit the specific pathogens that play a role in recurrent bacterial middle ear and thoat infections,” she said.
“We are looking into the possibilities to register and market a nasal spray containing a selection of the strains acquired, as a medical device.
“When we succeed in registering this product as a medical device this will mean it will be applied topically.”
Gerritsen said she was confident of successful registration for the nasal spray as a medicinal device given the company’s previous experience attaining approved status with its portfolio of products for vaginal application.
A delicate blend
Winclove’s Ecologic FEMI+ range was developed following experimentation with more than 30 different probiotic strains before determining the combination of six strains its scientists found to be most effective.
A study published in July suggested probiotic strains are effective against recurrent vaginal infections when used with prescribed medication. The study used Bifodan’s EcoVag probiotic.
Winclove expects to bring a product using the strains to the market in the second half of 2016.