LacThera

Recurrent urinary tract infections affect millions of women worldwide and represent a significant yet often underestimated healthcare challenge. Current treatment strategies rely heavily on antibiotics, which, while effective in clearing acute infections, do not prevent recurrence. Repeated antibiotic exposure can disrupt the protective vaginal microbiome, eliminate beneficial Lactobacillus species, and contribute to rising antimicrobial resistance.
LacThera was developed to break this cycle.
Our platform is built on Lactobacillus crispatus, a bacterium strongly associated with a healthy vaginal microbiome. To enhance its protective function without introducing genetically modified organisms into the body, we utilize a non-GMO surface display system. Through this approach, pathogen-targeting proteins can be anchored to the probiotic’s surface, allowing LacThera to interfere with bacterial adhesion mechanisms, a critical first step in infection development.
One primary target is FimH, an adhesion protein used by uropathogenic E. coli to attach to host tissues. By blocking this attachment process, LacThera aims to prevent colonization before infection can occur.
To optimize delivery and retention, the probiotic is embedded within a biocompatible hydrogel suppository. This localized delivery system enhances colonization, prolongs therapeutic presence, and addresses one of the key limitations of conventional oral probiotics, poor persistence within the vaginal environment.
Currently in the proof-of-concept stage, LacThera has demonstrated successful surface protein display through fluorescence microscopy and has undergone preliminary bacterial competition and biofilm interaction testing. These findings support the platform’s modularity and future adaptability to target multiple UTI-associated pathogens.
Looking ahead, the project roadmap includes safety validation, clinical testing, regulatory approval, and scalable manufacturing. By focusing on prevention rather than repeated treatment, LacThera represents a sustainable, microbiome-centered approach to women’s health, with the potential to reduce recurrence rates, decrease antibiotic reliance, and mitigate long-term antimicrobial resistance risks.