Bifido, patent obtained through joint research with Yonsei University

Microbiome specialized company Bifido (CEO Park Myeong-su) has obtained a patent for a human-derived lactic acid bacteria composition for improving women’s vaginal health through joint research with Professor Byun Sang-gyun’s team from the Department of Biotechnology at Yonsei University. The patent is titled ‘Composition for improving, preventing, or treating vaginitis or vulvitis containing Lactobacillus salivarius HHuMin-U’ and announced on the 14th that the patent registration has been completed.

This patent was developed with a focus on improving vaginitis and vulvitis based on strains selected through Bifido's proprietary Microbiome Acceleration Platform (MAP), and scientifically verified that HHuMin-U, a human-derived lactic acid bacteria, is effective in alleviating vaginitis using human vaginal epithelial cells and animal models.

The research results confirmed that HHuMin-U has excellent antibacterial activity against Candida albicans, the main cause of vaginitis. It also confirmed the effect of promoting the expression of antibacterial peptides in epithelial cells and inhibiting damage to vaginal epithelial cells caused by harmful bacteria. In addition, it was confirmed that it effectively inhibits vaginitis-causing bacteria in vaginal and oral administration animal model experiments.

HHuMin-U already holds a patent for treating urinary tract infections by inhibiting the attachment of E. coli to the urinary tract, and is also in the process of applying for a patent for its anti-norovirus effect. Based on this, HHuMin-U is expanding its application potential to various fields such as digestive and immune health as well as women's health.

A Bifido official said, “This patent is significant in that it suggests the possibility of microbial-based treatment instead of existing treatment methods that use antibiotics or chemicals to improve women’s vaginal health,” adding, “We will provide a wider range of health solutions by utilizing microbial-based technology in the future and strengthen our competitiveness in the global market through the development of functional materials.”

Meanwhile, vaginitis and vulvitis are common inflammatory diseases that affect women's quality of life. When the normal vaginal microbiota balance is maintained, lactic acid bacteria suppress the growth of harmful bacteria, but when the vaginal microbiota balance is disrupted by antibiotic abuse, stress, hormonal changes, etc., harmful bacteria can grow excessively and cause diseases. Restoring and maintaining the vaginal microbiota balance is considered a key strategy for preventing and treating vaginitis and vulvitis.

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