Biome Australia (ASX:BIO) said the multi-center clinical trial of its first wholly proprietary strain, BMB18, or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, was expanded from a single-centre study at La Trobe University in Melbourne with the activation of Harokopio University of Athens in Greece as a concurrent second site, according to a Wednesday Australian bourse filing.

The three-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will test two BMB18 dosage levels against placebo across 240 participants over a six-week intervention period with a two-week follow-up.

Pre-clinical work showed that the strain has the potential for a triple mechanism of action across intestinal barrier function, immunomodulation, and antioxidant activity.

Recruitment is expected to begin this week at both sites, and the trial is expected to start in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026.

Its shares rose 4% in recent trading on Wednesday.