A leading bio-science company, SYNBIO TECH INC. has gained an important United States patent on one of its most clinically documented probiotic strains named Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10^®, which is screened from traditional Taiwanese pickled cabbage. The patent covers the method for improving age-related muscle loss, maintaining or increasing muscle mass and muscle strength in elder subjects.

Studies suggest that the gut microbiota affects the host's muscle mass and function by regulating the systemic immune system, anabolism, insulin sensitivity, and energy production, termed the "gut-muscle axis"^[1]. The role of the gut-muscle axis has gained tremendous attention in recent years, as the health benefits of probiotics are increasingly being acknowledged as having diverse benefits beyond the gut.  Gut microbiota diversity gradually declines with age and disrupts the gut microbiota balance, promotes systemic inflammation, and causes muscle cell damage, resulting in decreased muscle mass and muscle strength^[1]. Scientists at SYNBIO TECH work tirelessly to find the probiotic solution for improving muscle quality and ultimately TWK10^® was discovered. In clinical trial, supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10^® is shown to be able to reduce exercise fatigue-related markers, improve exercise performance^[3] and body composition^[2] . Furthermore, the result of clinical trial in elderly subjects over the age of 65 showed that supplementation with TWK10^® had a tendency to increase and improve muscle mass, left hand grip strength, lower limb muscle strength, gait speed and balance after the sixth week^[4].
 
 “We are very pleased with the new patent in the United States. The global silver population is on the rise, the United Nations estimated that by 2050, the population over the age of 65 will reach 1.5 billion, and the elderly population will account for 22% of the global population^[5]. And age-related muscle loss affects 100% of the population. Senior population are actively looking into the proactive management of their health putting a great emphasis on prevention not only curing the disease. With robust clinical evidence in improving age-related muscle loss, we are confident that Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10^® definitely meets the market needs”, says Mr. Kuei-ming Lee, Vice President at SYNBIO TECH.

 “Apart from the United States, Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10^® is patented in Japan, Taiwan and patent pending in South Korea. In addition, TWK10^® received health claim on improving exercise performance granted by Korean FDA last year. It is very encouraging to experience the acknowledgement of our research and investments in probiotic clinical trials and we are confident that this will pave the way in the probiotic innovation” Lisa Chen, Global Marketing Director at SYNBIO TECH adds.

The patent was obtained in the United States on the 13th December 2022 with the patent number US 11,524,038 B2. SYNBIO TECH partners with Lonza Group for the distribution of Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10^® in North America and Europe.

Reference
[1] Giron, M., et al. (2022). Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle, 13(3), 1460–1476. 
[2] Huang, W. C., et al., (2019). Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 on exercise physiological adaptation, performance, and body composition in healthy humans. Nutrients, 11(11), 2836. 
[3] Huang, W. C., et al., (2018). Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 on improving endurance performance in humans. Chin. J. Physiol, 61(3), 163-170. 
[4] Lee, M. C., et al., (2021). Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 improves muscle mass and functional performance in frail older adults: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Microorganisms, 9(7), 1466. 
[5] World Population Ageing 2019: Highlights. the United Nations.