Cambiotics initiates first human clinical trial focused on PFAS reduction in firefighters with occupational PFAS exposure
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambiotics ApS ("Cambiotics"), the company developing beneficial bacteria designed to support the natural elimination of unwanted compounds, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, known as "forever chemicals"), announced today that the first participant has been enrolled in its first human clinical trial investigating its proprietary probiotic strain, 46-SL1, as a dietary supplement in firefighters with occupational exposure to PFAS. The study is a 2 x 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, and it is being conducted by Atlantia Clinical Trials in Chicago, Illinois [NCT07846371].
The clinical trial investigates whether daily supplementation with 46-SL1 is associated with changes in serum PFAS concentrations in 70 participants with prior occupational PFAS exposure through their work as firefighters. Safety and tolerability and fecal microbiome changes are also being assessed. 46-SL1 is being developed to support the body's natural elimination of PFAS — compounds firefighters encounter through multiple sources, including the historical use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams and protective equipment. However, firefighters are not the only ones affected. The CDC's national biomonitoring survey, NHANES, has detected at least one PFAS chemical in more than 99% of samples from the US population. With no efficient way to accelerate PFAS elimination from the body, there is an urgent need for accessible approaches to reduce that burden.
Peter Holme Jensen, CEO and Co-founder of Cambiotics, said: "PFAS persist in the body for years, and until now there has been very little anyone could do about it. That is why moving from laboratory work into clinical investigation matters, and why it was the right place to direct our recent funding round. We are deeply grateful to the clinical team and the firefighters participating. As we execute this stage of our clinical programme, we are also looking ahead to the next phase of Cambiotics' development."
Dr. Stacey Boetto, Principal Investigator, Atlantia Clinical Trials, commented: "Firefighters serve their communities under demanding conditions and may encounter PFAS through their work. I am pleased to begin this important study to evaluate a potential approach to reducing PFAS burden in this population. My team and I look forward to generating data that can help inform future efforts."
About Cambiotics ApS
Cambiotics is a Copenhagen-based biotech company developing next-generation probiotic solutions focused on PFAS, widely known as "forever chemicals". Founded in 2024 with support from Denmark's BioInnovation Institute, Cambiotics is a spin-off from the University of Cambridge, originating from research conducted at the MRC Toxicology Unit. The company's scientific foundation builds on the PhD research of Anna E. Lindell, conducted under the supervision of Professor Kiran Patil. Their work, published in Nature Microbiology in 2025, identified human gut bacteria capable of bioaccumulating PFAS and provided preclinical evidence linking bacterial PFAS accumulation with increased faecal excretion. Cambiotics has now initiated its first human clinical trial in the United States and plans to launch its first dietary supplement in early 2027.
For more information, visit cambiotics.com and follow Cambiotics on LinkedIn.
To learn more about Atlantia Clinical Trials, visit atlantiaclinicaltrials.com and follow them on LinkedIn.
Funding
The clinical study is funded by Cambiotics ApS as part of the company's scientific and clinical development programme. In February 2026, Cambiotics announced the closing of a EUR 4 million Seed investment round, led by Collaborative Fund, with participation from EIFO, the Danish Export and Investment Fund, and True. The funding was raised in part to support Cambiotics' clinical development programme, including initiation of its first human clinical trial in the United States.
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The following files are available for download:
Cambiotics Press Release PFAS Clinical Trial Firefighters 2026 |
Media contact
Nila Amado
Digital Marketing Developer
Cambiotics ApS
Email: nam@cambiotics.com
Direct: +45 26 46 48 81
SOURCE Cambiotics Aps
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