The company focuses on characterising specific probiotic strains and their beneficial activities in collaboration with the University of Naples. Preclinical in vivo studies [1,2,3] have shown that our spore-forming strains [Bacillus subtilis SF-106 (DSM 34548) and Bacillus clausii SF-174 (DSM 34549) not only modulate the gut microbiota, increasing the amount of “good” bacteria in our intestines, but also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Oxidative stress is the trigger for increasingly common diseases such as metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, formerly known as NAFLD – non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), for which there is still no defined pharmacological approach and for which the strong involvement of the microbiota is well known. The aim of our research is to maintain the balance of the gut microbiota in order to prevent metabolic diseases.
In this regard, two supplements based on spores from the Savio probiotic strain have recently been launched on the market: Biliver for patients with MASLD and Promet12 for patients with T2DM who have vitamin B12 malabsorption.
Among the most recent technologies developed for the formulation of supplements, which were the subject of a recently published scientific study[4], the technology called Spore Surface Display (SSD) is particularly noteworthy. SSD is a non-recombinant system that uses probiotic spores, forms of bacterial cell resistance, as delivery vehicles for molecules of biopharmaceutical interest. The technology allows the beneficial properties of spores to be combined synergistically with those of bioactive molecules.

The Savio R&D Department is also active in improving the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation (in the form of medical devices) in the treatment of osteoarticular diseases.