Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial Investigating the Role of a Personal Care Product on Vaginal Health

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the impact of a personal care product on vaginal health in a healthy participant population. The personal care product, VM-02, contains a prebiotic, postbiotic, and three distinct strains of Lactobacillus crispatus, a microbe commonly found in healthy females, together accounting for greater than 85% of known genes in this species. The intervention will be compared to a placebo intervention and will aim to assess the following in a healthy female population: Measure changes in the relative and absolute abundance of a bacterial species, Lactobacillus crispatus, in the vagina, compared the baseline (prior to use of the personal care product) to two time points after use. Observe changes in vaginal pH and self-reported discomfort from vaginal odor, compared the baseline to two time points after use. Determine the user experience of three variations of a personal care product administered in different formats to improve vaginal health and establish tolerability and user acceptability. Participants will use the personal care product according to a specific program as directed, conduct vaginal swab sampling, and answer questionnaires, each at eight time points.

The vaginal microbiome is a dynamic microecosystem that undergoes fluctuations during the female menstrual cycle and at various life stages from puberty to menopause. A healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus which regulates vaginal pH, produces antimicrobial compounds, and significantly influences host immune response. The purpose of this study is to determine whether vaginal health can be influenced by a novel personal care product comprised of a Lactobacillus postbiotic, prebiotic, and multiple strains of Lactobacillus crispatus predictive of a stable vaginal microbiome. This study will be a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention that will examine the safety and tolerability of a personal care product for vaginal health, VM-02. This pilot study will last for the duration of two complete menstrual cycles. Data will be collected via participant virtual questionnaires and vaginal swabs. Participants are randomized as follows: A two-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate VM-02 as a vaginal suppository capsule. Arm #1: Vaginal application of single-use applicators filled with a vaginal suppository capsule at 5 x 10\^8 CFU/dose. The study product will be administered once daily for 7 consecutive days, followed by once weekly application over 2 consecutive additional weeks. Arm #2: Vaginal application of single-use applicators filled with a vaginal suppository placebo capsule. The study product will be administered once daily for 7 consecutive days, followed by once weekly application over 2 consecutive additional weeks. Three additional arms are included to quantify the impact of an alternative formulation and user experience. Arm #3: Vaginal application of single-use applicators filled with vaginal suppository tablet at 5 x 10\^8 CFU/dose. The study product will be administered on Days 1,4,7,14,21. Arm #4: Oral administration of capsule at 5 x 10\^8 cfu/dose. The study product will be administered daily for 30 consecutive days. Arm #5: Oral administration of commercially available over-the-counter oral capsule at 5 x 10\^8 CFU/dose. The study product will be administered daily for 30 consecutive days. Colonization rate of 3 distinct Lactobacillus crispatus after administration of VM-02 will be assessed with PCR and DNA sequence analysis. Researchers will compare groups who received active product with those who received a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no active drug) to determine product safety and any possible side effects, see if the amount of the bacterial species, Lactobacillus crispatus, changes (either increases or decreases) in response to the treatment, and to determine any impacts on self-reported odor and vaginal health. A total of 80 participants will be recruited for this study. All participants will be supported and tracked through the various stages of the study virtually. All biomarker swabs that are taken by participants will be returned via pre-paid envelopes provided by the research team and all survey information will be collected online. No in-person visits will be required. Participants who are unwilling to follow the study protocol will be removed from the study.