Cambiotics starts human clinical trial to test PFAS reduction in firefighters
Copenhagen-based biotech firm Cambiotics has begun its first human clinical trial investigating a proprietary probiotic strain designed to assist in the elimination of PFAS chemicals.
Cambiotics has enrolled the first participant in a clinical study evaluating the impact of its 46-SL1 probiotic strain on PFAS concentrations in firefighters. The trial involves 70 individuals with occupational exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as 'forever chemicals' due to their persistence in the environment and the human body.
Conducted by Atlantia Clinical Trials in Chicago, the 24-week study uses a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Researchers intend to measure changes in serum PFAS levels alongside safety, tolerability, and modifications to the participants' gut microbiomes. The study follows preclinical research suggesting that specific human gut bacteria can bioaccumulate these compounds and promote their excretion.
As PFAS are detected in the vast majority of the U.S. population, the search for accessible removal methods has gained attention. Cambiotics, a spin-off from the University of Cambridge, aims to build on these findings to launch its first dietary supplement in early 2027. The project is currently funded as part of the company's broader clinical development program.