Seed, a LA-based probiotic company, is launching a new vaginal suppository focused on three strains of Lactobacillus crispatus in partnership with Dr. Jacques Ravel, a leading vaginal microbiome scientist. This new product aims to help women maintain a more stable vaginal microbiome and address common urogenital conditions like urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections. Seed states that 9 out of 10 women have an imbalanced vaginal microbiome, making them more susceptible to infections, and hopes that their suppository can replenish healthy bacteria to the area without causing an imbalance like antibiotics often do.
Dr. Ravel explains that current treatments for conditions like bacterial vaginosis have seen little progress over the last 50 years with high recurrence rates, indicating that the underlying problem is not being addressed. Seed’s VS-01™ is the first clinically proven vaginal suppository to restore a healthy vaginal microbiome. While the initial use requires regular administration, once the microbiome is stabilized, the suppository can be used just twice a month for maintenance. Seed emphasizes the importance of regular use to counteract factors like sex, swimming, exercising, and menstruation that can disrupt the vaginal microbiome and lead to infections.
Seed conducted clinical trials and consumer-use studies with approximately 400 women to assess the effectiveness of VS-01™, with 70 participants in the first randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The results showed that 90 percent of participants established an optimal vaginal microbiome dominated by L. crispatus within 21 days of using the suppository. Unlike many oral probiotics on the market, Seed opted for a suppository delivery method to ensure that the microbes are directly targeted at the vaginal ecosystem where they are needed for transformation. Dr. Ravel’s research has shown the protective and anti-inflammatory properties of L. crispatus, making it a key component in maintaining vaginal health.
While vaginal suppositories with probiotics are more common in Europe than in the US, Seed’s focus on specific strains of L. crispatus that have been researched for their efficacy sets VS-01™ apart in the market. Ara Katz, Seed’s co-founder, emphasizes the importance of accelerating advancements in women’s health and addressing areas that have been historically overlooked. She believes that the vaginal microbiome is the next frontier in women’s health, and Seed’s VS-01™ represents a new paradigm of care that empowers women to take control of their bodies. The suppository’s formulation with three proprietary strains of L. crispatus aims to promote regulated pH and stability in vaginal health to combat common urogenital conditions and provide a solution where antibiotics have fallen short.
Seed’s decision to conduct clinical studies on VS-01™, despite not being required to do so, highlights their commitment to providing evidence-based solutions for women’s health. The product’s unique focus on delivering probiotics directly to the vaginal ecosystem where they are needed sets it apart from other oral probiotics on the market. Dr. Ravel’s research on lactic acid-producing L. crispatus strains and their protective properties in the vaginal microbiome further supports the efficacy of Seed’s suppository. By addressing the challenges of recurrent infections and imbalances in the vaginal microbiome, Seed’s VS-01™ offers a promising solution for women seeking long-term relief and maintenance of vaginal health.
