SF68® (Enterococcus lactis SF68®) is a human-derived probiotic strain, originally isolated in 1968 from a healthy breast-fed infant.
Selected for its unique biological properties, SF68® stands out for its resistance to gastric acid, rapid metabolic activation in the upper intestine, and fast replication rate (about 19 minutes).
It produces L-form lactic acid and bacteriocin-like substances with antimicrobial activity against pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella spp. Additionally, it modulates both innate and adaptive immunity and supports the growth of beneficial gut flora.
Compared with other common probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii, SF68® offers superior metabolic versatility, stable colonisation and clinically validated efficacy, including evidence from a Cochrane meta-analysis.
It is particularly effective in restoring intestinal balance in cases of dysbiosis, infectious diarrhoea, and antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal issues. Cerbios-Pharma SA, the exclusive manufacturer, has secured pharmaceutical registrations in Switzerland, Austria and South Korea since the 1970s, with more than 100 million patients treated globally.
Recent research has highlighted the gut microbiota as a “functional organ” influencing systemic health.
Its composition affects distant organs through complex signalling pathways. For example, the gut-skin axis plays a role in acne development via immune-inflammatory mechanisms and microbial metabolites that impact skin barrier function and sebum production.
The microbiota also influences lipid and glucose metabolism, affecting cholesterol absorption and insulin sensitivity — key factors in obesity and cardiovascular disease, often linked to dysbiosis.
These insights position the microbiota as a central communication hub between the gut and peripheral organs, opening new therapeutic avenues through targeted modulation with well-characterised probiotics such as SF68®.
Building on this, Cerbios-Pharma SA has developed new applications for SF68® in finished products targeting specific conditions via microbiota modulation. These include
- SF68® SKINACTIVE: Developed with an Italian dermatologist, this formulation treats mild to moderate acne and seborrheic dermatitis, especially useful during summer when conventional treatments are less suitable.
- SF68® SLIPIDO®: Launched in 2025, it combines SF68® with phytosterols and active folate (5-MTHF), showing efficacy in reducing weight, fat mass, cholesterol and inflammation, while improving gut barrier and microbiota balance.
- upcoming IBS formulation: A new product combining SF68® with butyrate is in development for irritable bowel syndrome, with clinical trials planned for late 2025.
SF68® thus bridges tradition and innovation, offering scientifically backed solutions to modern health challenges through microbiota-centred therapy.