DuoBalance™ Candidate Medical Device | BV & Thrush | Coming Soon

Coming soon. Now advancing into clinical trials.

DuoBalance™ is our patented, antibiotic-free and acid-free candidate medical device, designed to address bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vaginal thrush by supporting the vaginal microbiome rather than clearing it. It is not yet available to buy.

Why we're developing it

BV and thrush are the most common causes of vaginal discomfort, and for many women they keep coming back. Recurrent thrush alone affects an estimated 138 million women worldwide every year.¹

Antibiotics and antifungals act indiscriminately, reducing the protective bacteria that keep the vaginal environment in balance. Acid-based gels can irritate: laboratory research found many over-the-counter lactic acid gels damaged lab-grown vaginal tissue.² We believe there is a better way.

How it's designed

DuoBalance™ is a prebiotic hydrogel. Instead of killing bacteria or forcing pH down with acid, it is designed to deliver glycogen, the preferred fuel of protective Lactobacillus species, so a woman's own microbiome can restore its balance.

• Antibiotic-free, antifungal-free and acid-free
• Mucoadhesive, designed to stay in place where it's needed
• One gel, designed to address both BV and thrush

The research behind it

DuoBalance™ is built on laboratory research led by Prof Paul Long at King's College London, published in JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance in 2025.³ In tests on swabs from women with diagnosed BV and thrush, the hydrogel:

• supported regrowth of lactobacilli to levels expected in a healthy vagina
• shifted the balance towards species found in women less likely to have repeat infections
• supported significantly more lactobacilli than a market-leading acid gel, in BV samples

These are laboratory results. Clinical trials are designed to show how DuoBalance™ performs in women.

What happens next

DuoBalance™ is now advancing into clinical trials, the essential step before any medical device can be made available. We're committed to doing this properly, because in women's health, evidence is the price of entry.

In the meantime, BloomCalma™, our pH-balanced intimate moisturising gel for pregnancy and postpartum, is developed from the research behind our patented DuoBalance technology.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy DuoBalance?
Not yet. DuoBalance™ is a candidate medical device now advancing into clinical trials. It can only be made available once trials are complete and it has the required regulatory approval. Sign up for research updates to hear about its progress.

When will DuoBalance be available?
We can't give a date yet. Clinical trials and regulatory review take time, and we won't rush the evidence. We'll share progress as the trials advance, so the best way to stay informed is to sign up for research updates.

How is DuoBalance different from BloomCalma?
They serve different needs. BloomCalma™ is a cosmetic, pH-balanced intimate moisturising gel for external use in pregnancy and postpartum, available now. DuoBalance™ is a candidate medical device designed to address BV and thrush, still in clinical development.

Does DuoBalance contain antibiotics?
No. DuoBalance™ is designed to be antibiotic-free, antifungal-free and acid-free. Instead, it is designed to deliver glycogen, which supports the protective Lactobacillus bacteria already present in the vagina.

What should I do if I have BV or thrush now?
Speak to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic, especially if it's your first time, you're pregnant, or symptoms keep coming back. DuoBalance™ is not yet available, so follow the treatment advice you're given.

References

1. Denning DW, Kneale M, Sobel JD, Rautemaa-Richardson R. Global burden of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: a systematic review. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2018;18(11):e339-e347. doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30103-8
2. Tyssen D, Hearps AC, Guntur K, et al. The impact of over-the-counter lactic acid containing vaginal gels on the integrity and inflammatory state of the vaginal epithelium in vitro. Frontiers in Reproductive Health. 2022;4:915948. doi.org/10.3389/frph.2022.915948
3. Long PF. A new paradigm for treating refractory and recurrent infectious vaginal discharge. JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance. 2025 Jul;7(Suppl 3):dlaf118.017. doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlaf118.017

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