Study Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability

The design of the study is based on the aim to study safety and tolerability of B. longum in a limited number of healthy volunteers.

Inclusion criteria

• Willing and able to give written informed consent for participation in the study.
• Healthy male or female subject aged 18-65 years inclusive.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18.0 and ≤ 32.0 kg/m2.
• Clinically normal medical history, physical findings, vital signs, and laboratory values at the time of screening, as judged by the Investigator.
• Women of child bearing potential (WOCBP) must practice abstinence (only allowed when this is the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject) or must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception with a failure rate of < 1% to prevent (combined [oestrogen and progestogen containing] hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation [oral, intravaginal, transdermal], progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation [oral, injectable, implantable], intrauterine device [IUD]or intrauterine hormone-releasing system [IUS]) from at least 4 weeks prior to dose to 4 weeks after last dose.

Women of non-childbearing potential are defined as pre-menopausal females who are sterilised (tubal ligation or permanent bilateral occlusion of fallopian tubes); or post-menopausal defined as 12 months of amenorrhea (in questionable cases a blood sample with simultaneous detection of follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] 25-140 IE/L is confirmatory).

Exclusion criteria

• History of any clinically significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, or influence the results or the subject's ability to participate in the study.
• Any clinically significant illness, medical/surgical procedure or trauma within 4 weeks of the first administration of IP.
• Malignancy within the past 5 years with the exception of in situ removal of basal cell carcinoma.
• Any planned major surgery within the duration of the study.
• Any positive result on screening for serum hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibodies or HIV.
• History of severe allergy/hypersensitivity or ongoing allergy/hypersensitivity, as judged by the Investigator, or history of hypersensitivity to Bifidobacterium probiotic treatment.
• History of, or ongoing GI disorder, including but not limited to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, loose stools or excess gas which, in the discretion of the Investigator, may influence the results or the subject's ability to participate in the study.
• Lactose intolerance (that in the opinion of the Investigator would interfere with the use of yoghurt drinks once daily for 28 days).
• Regular use of any prescribed or non-prescribed medication including antacids and analgesics within 2 weeks prior to the first administration of IP, at the discretion of the Investigator.
• Any use of antibiotics (except local treatment, e.g. eye drops) within two weeks prior to the first administration of IP.
• Planned treatment or treatment with an investigational drug within 3 months prior to Day 1. Subjects consented and screened but not dosed in previous phase I studies are not excluded.
• Current smokers or users of nicotine products. Irregular use of nicotine (e.g. smoking, snuffing, chewing tobacco) less than three times per week is allowed before screening visit.
• Positive screen for drugs of abuse or alcohol at screening or on admission to the unit prior to administration of the IP.
• History of alcohol abuse or excessive intake of alcohol, as judged by the Investigator.
• Presence or history of drug abuse, as judged by the Investigator.
• History of, or current use of, anabolic steroids, as judged by the Investigator.
• Excessive caffeine consumption defined by a daily intake of >5 cups of caffeine
• Plasma donation within one month of screening or blood donation (or corresponding blood loss) during the three months prior to screening.
• Investigator considers the subject unlikely to comply with study procedures, restrictions and requirements.