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

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.

Inclusion criteria

• Age: The subject is an adult between 18 and 70 y.o.
• Skin health: The subject has no active skin conditions or lesions in the axillary region and no existing skin conditions (e.g., eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis).
• Skin allergies: The subject has no known allergies to skin treatment products or cosmetics, toiletries, and/or topical drugs.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject is pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months.
• Subject is an insulin-dependent diabetic.
• Subject has been diagnosed or treated for cancer in the past 5 years.
• Subject is currently using or has not used in the past two weeks any systemic antibiotics.
• Subject is currently using or used within the last month any topical medications, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription products on the underarms.
• Subject is currently taking or plans to take during the study any anti-inflammatory for a chronic condition (except 81 mg-Aspirin per day), immunosuppressant, antihistamine, or sedative medications (i.e. containing antihistamines like Tylenol PM, Nyquil, etc.).
• Subject is currently participating in another underarm clinical trial. Subjects may participate in other studies as long as the same test sites are not used or are testing similar products.