We are trying to find out if Lactococcus lactis JCM 5805 (LC-Plasma) which is a Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) with post-biotic properties can prevent people from getting an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI). An URTI is an infection that affects the nose, throat or sinuses such as the common cold or influenza.  We also want to find out if LC-Plasma can reduce the symptoms and the duration of a URTI. It is hypothesised that LC-Plasma will be effective in preventing the occurrence of URTIs and reducing the severity and duration of a URTI compared to placebo.

Your participation in this research will contribute to understanding whether LC-Plasma can help protect people from URTIs and reduce the symptoms. It is intended that the results from this study will be published in a medical journal to further contribute to providing improved health outcomes.

Your involvement in this study will be over a 24-week period. All requirements of the study will be completed at home. As there are no clinic visits or overnight stays required you can participate from anywhere in Australia.

This study is being recruited on a rolling basis, which means that you can start the study on a day that is best suited to you within the recruitment period.

Please see below for more information. You can also register your interest using the form at the bottom of this page.

This study is designed to examine the effects of a good bacteria, LC-Plasma compared to a placebo over a 24 week period.  

This is not a vaccination study. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of good bacteria with post-biotic properties. They are often used to make foods like yogurt and other healthy supplements with probiotics. Lactococcus lactis (LC-Plasma) is one of these bacteria, it is commonly used to make fermented milk products.  LC-Plasma has shown anti-viral effects.  It works by waking up important immune cells called plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which are like the body’s first defenders against germs. When these cells are activated, they help the body make substances called interferons, which protect against infections.

It is hypothesised that LC-Plasma supplementation will be more effective than placebo in preventing the incidence of colds and flu (URTIs) and reducing the severity and duration of symptoms.

The product will be supplied in tablet form, and participants will be required to take one (1) tablet each morning for 24 weeks.

This study is placebo controlled which for this study will mean that you will have a 50% chance of receiving either the LC-Plasma product, or the placebo.  Placebos are designed to look like the real product being studied except they do not contain the active ingredient. Using a placebo helps us to be confident that any effects we measure in the active group really are due to the active ingredient and not due to the body’s own reaction to a perceived treatment.

We are looking to enrol 600 participants into this study. Your individual involvement in the study will be for 24 weeks. During this time you will be required to:

• Take the study product (1 tablet) once a day, and confirm that you have taken your product by completing the short Daily Log.
• Complete the Fortnightly Participant Questionnaire (an online form taking about 5 minutes to complete).
• Complete the URTI Symptom Log during any episodes of URTI symptoms and complete the supplied RAT test.

The information we collect during the study will enable the investigators to assess the product’s potential to both prevent cold/flu and also reduce symptoms.

Please note: This page is a summary of the study outline and participant requirements. A full Participant Information Sheet with detailed information will be provided to you before you are asked to give your consent to participate.

Upon completion of the study requirements, you will be eligible for a $300 reimbursement for your time. The payment will be made by gift voucher or via direct deposit to your nominated bank account (your choice) after the study requirements have been met. Please allow 5-7 business days after completion to receive payment.

Pro rata payments are also available in the case of early withdrawal as detailed in the participant information sheet that will be provided to you.

If you are interested in participating, we’d love to hear from you. Please register your interest by answering the questionnaire and completing the form on this page…we’ll then get in touch to screen you for eligibility.

This study is being conducted remotely which means that you can participate from home from anywhere in Australia.

• Adults aged 18-60 years
• Generally healthy but usually get at least one cold/flu episode per year
• Do not suffer from seasonal allergies
• BMI between 18.5 and 30 kg/m² (you can check your BMI using the calculator below)
• Generally healthy
• Able to provide informed consent
• Able to commit to completing the study requirements

BMI CALCULATOR

Please register your interest by answering the questionnaire and completing the form on this page… we’ll then get in touch to screen you for suitability.

Please note: This page is a summary of the study outline and participant requirements. A full Participant Information Sheet with more detailed information will be provided to you before you are asked to give your consent to participate.

This RDC Clinical study has been approved by the Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee under Approval Number: 2024-12-2103. The study is also registered on the clinicaltrials.gov under Registration Number: NCT06827327

Trained trial coordinators will supervise your progress throughout the study. Your results will be made available to you at the conclusion of the study. Any of your personal information collected during the study will be kept in the strictest confidence.