A Proof-of-Concept Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of NOBO, a Novel Postbiotic, in Controlling Axillary Odor in Healthy Adults

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the performance of NOBO, a yeast-based fermentation product (postbiotic) designed to control axillary odor, in controlling axillary odor in healthy male and female adults age 18 - 70 with confirmed self-perception of body odor. The main question it aims to answer is: Does NOBO decrease self-perceived odor of the intervention axilla compared to the placebo axilla at any time point? Researchers will compare the intervention axilla to the placebo axilla to see if there is a difference in self-perceived odor and microbiome. Participants will: * be given a NOBO deodorant spray and a placebo deodorant spray (each assigned to one axilla) * self assess body odor * sample axilla with cotton round for 3rd party odor assessment * sample axilla with a swab for skin microbiome analysis via qPCR * self assess skin irritation

The study aims to evaluate the performance of NOBO, a yeast-based fermentation product (postbiotic) designed to control axillary odor, in controlling axillary odor and potentially impacting the skin microbiome. This study serves the purpose of validating the postbiotic's efficacy and de-risking future external clinical studies. For this study, a total of 5-7 subjects will be recruited based on the recruitment requirements. The target population for this study is healthy male and female adults age 18 - 70 with no existing skin conditions (e.g., eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis) and no known allergies to skin treatment products or cosmetics, toiletries, and/or topical drugs, with confirmed self-perception of body odor. On Day -7 to Day 0, each subject goes through a wash-in period with controlled washing with only unscented soap. For the first 4 days of the wash-in period, no antiperspirant is allowed. For the last 3 days of the wash-in period, no underarm product is allowed. Participants are randomly assigned a treatment axilla: either left or right. One axilla (intervention axilla) will receive NOBO for the full duration of the intervention period. The other axilla (control axilla) will receive a placebo for the full duration of the study. On Day 1 (AM), before showering the subject first performs the baseline microbiome sampling of both axilla. The subject then showers with unscented soap and performs the baseline self assessment of axillary odor. The subject then applies the deodorants to each axilla and self assesses odor immediately after the first application. On Day 1 (PM), \~12 hours after Day 1 AM application, the subject self assesses odor and applies the deodorants to each axilla again. On Day 2 (AM), the subject self assesses odor and applies the deodorant to each axilla. On Day 2 (PM), the subject self assesses odor and applies the deodorant to each axilla. On Days 3-12, the subject applies the deodorants to each axilla twice daily (AM \& PM) and self-assesses odor only once a day (PM). On Day 2 AM, Day 6 AM, and Day 12 AM, the subject samples the axilla for third party odor assessment. On Day 1 AM, Day 3 AM, Day 6 AM, Day 9 AM, and Day 12 AM, the subject performs microbiome sampling on each axilla. On Day 1 PM, Day 3 PM, Day 6 PM, Day 9 PM, and Day 12 PM, the subject self-assesses skin irritation on each axilla. Observing a decrease in self perceived odor of the intervention (NOBO) axilla compared to the placebo axilla at any time point is the primary success criterion of this study.