G-NiiB oral microbiome immunity formula SIM01 provides long COVID relief, experts reveal

11 Dec 2023 --- New research suggests that the microencapsulated live bacteria formula, SIM01, could alleviate post-COVID-19 sequelae (long COVID) by improving gut microbiota after six months. The study findings could have significant implications for the estimated 65 million people worldwide living with the condition.

“The publication of the trial on G-NiiB’s microbiome immunity formula, SIM01, in the medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, is undoubtedly a scientific feat and a significant milestone for G-NiiB GenieBiome,” says Rachel Fan, CEO of G-NiiB GenieBiome, a Hong-Kong-based biomedical microbiome technology company distributing G-NiiB Immunity+ containing SIM01.

“It represents a great recognition of the leadership, judgment and expertise, showcasing our leading position and innovative capabilities in microbiome research.”

The study findings could have implications for over 65 million people estimated to be living with long COVID.Long COVID effects on the gut
The large-scale randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, partially funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund of Hong Kong, included 463 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and were experiencing long COVID symptoms. 

The study defines long COVID as a condition resulting in debilitating symptoms with symptoms persisting over four weeks and up to several years following the contraction of a COVID-19 infection. Such symptoms affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric systems and usually include fatigue. 

Past studies on long COVID symptoms also point to alternations in the gut microbiota more than a year following the contraction of the respiratory infection. Such alternations include decreased microbial diversity and richness and reduced abundance of short-chain fatty-acid-producing bacteria. Metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples showed a reduction of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium adolescentis. 

Bifidobacteria alleviates symptoms 
SIM01 is a synbiotic preparation of three lyophilized Bifidobacteria strains and three prebiotic compounds derived from our metagenomics dataset, which targets gut dysbiosis and could potentially modify the body’s immune responses.

It was shown to effectively improve multiple long COVID symptoms by increasing bacterial diversity, short-chain acid-producing bacteria and decreasing resistome, the antibiotic resistance genes. 

SIM01 was shown to improve multiple long-COVID symptoms by increasing bacterial diversity.The alleviation of long COVID symptoms through these means was achieved by the sixth month, defined as the “reduction in the severity of symptoms leading to improvement in activities of daily living.” The secondary assessment outcomes included quality of life, fecal microbiota composition, microbiome functions and inflammatory profiles at six months. 

“The practical significance of this study lies in proving the scientific efficacy and multiple feasibilities of SIM01, inaugurating new avenues for microbiome research and human health exploration,” comments Fan.

“From a societal perspective, G-NiiB’s microbiome immunity formula, SIM01, presents the potential to offer a fresh choice for individuals suffering from long COVID while making seminal contributions to the fight against COVID-19 and other diseases,” she continues. 

G-NiiB GenieBiome offers three patented oral microbiota formulations, including SIM01, a microbiome precision immunity formula designed to enhance the immune system; SMT04, a microbiome precision gut protective formula to preserve intestinal health and SIM03, a microbiome precision children immunity formula to develop diverse rainbow immunity. 

Research conducted in Sweden similarly suggested that the probiotic strain Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, could help reduce the symptoms of long COVID by improving the body’s immune response. 

By Milana Nikolova