P.Happi: Smart microbiome serum developed for women seeking a non-antibiotic approach to support bladder and intimate health

In this case study, we highlight P.Happi, a participant in both the Accelerating FemTech and Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate programmes, and share an update on the progress and impact of its Microbiome Protective Serum for women’s intimate health. 

Empowering women to take control of their intimate wellbeing 

1 in 2 women will experience a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in their lifetime. Infections cause discomfort, inconvenience, significantly affect wellbeing and occasionally lead to serious complications. 

This common condition therefore presents a significant burden across primary and secondary care, accounting for over an estimated 10 million GP appointments every year and 1.2 million hospital bed days between April 2023 and April 2024.  

Whilst initiatives like Pharmacy First are enabling women to access expert advice and treatment without a GP appointment, there is a growing concern about the volume of antibiotics prescribed for UTIs and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  

The National Action Plan for AMR 2024 to 2029 sets out a more targeted approach for prescribing antibiotics for UTIs, whilst also echoing a broader shift from sickness to prevention outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan for England. Reducing reliance on antibiotics will require effective solutions that prevent infections from occurring in the first place. 

Origin story

P.Happi’s Chief Executive and Founder Dr Chiara Board struggled for years with recurrent UTIs. She soon grew frustrated with lack of effective options when visiting clinicians. This included advice to drink cranberry juice or prescriptions for repeated courses of antibiotics, which she was not keen to take on a regular basis due to side effects and AMR concerns.  

With her scientific training in synthetic biology and bioengineering, Chiara saw first-hand the lack of effective, science-backed microbiome solutions for women struggling with persistent intimate health conditions. 

Overcoming initial difficulties, such as finding a lab, securing funding and finding the right partners, Chiara spent years working with her researchers to develop the right product from scratch. Each stage of development was shaped by actively collaborating with women through interviews, feedback sessions and pilot studies to understand their needs. This included the introduction of a leaflet with images of how to apply the serum effectively, following feedback from customers.

Providing a non-hormonal, non-antibiotic approach to intimate health 

The P.Happi Intimate Microbiome Serum is a microbiome-friendly moisturising serum that protects against disruptive Gram-negative bacteria.  

This non-hormonal, non-antibiotic approach contains a naturally occurring unique predatory bacterium, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (B.Y.M.® 1405), to support microbiome imbalances that can make women more prone to UTIs, thrush, Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vaginal dryness. 

The serum can be used daily to offer ongoing protection, improving symptoms for peri- and post-menopausal women and those experiencing recurrent intimate health issues. It is an accessible, early self-management option that also has the potential to reduce the pressure on primary care and community services.  

A six-month Innovate UK-funded study recently came to an end, with results showing over 90% adherence, strong satisfaction ratings and significant improvements across a range of symptoms, including urge and stress incontinence, frequency, urgency and vulval dryness, leading to major quality-of-life benefits. 

P.Happi is available direct to consumer online, with sales across the UK and Europe. Commercial milestones include reviews from customers and clinicians, building scalable manufacturing capabilities, and onboarding their first national retail partner, with sales in Boots. 

How the Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate programme helped  

P.Happi were part of the first cohort of Accelerating FemTech in 2023, where they found particular value in the grant writing sessions on offer. They applied their new skills to become one of ten companies from the cohort to secure a special closed-call feasibility funding grant through the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst (BMC).  

18 months later they joined the Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate programme, aiming to strengthen their evaluation strategy to explore a pilot in primary care in the East of England, where antibiotic prescriptions rates are high.  While there is strong interest from the clinical community, making the product accessible through the NHS would be a significant milestone — empowering more women with proactive microbiome support. 

Workshops, in-person events, coaching and peer learning offered insights into the barriers faced by innovators, whilst helping to clarify and refine their understanding of evidence pathways. Collaborations with clinicians and primary care partners established through the programme have also proven invaluable, demonstrating how commercial growth can be balanced with clinical validation to support wider NHS adoption.

What is next for P.Happi? 

Having successfully brought P.Happi to the consumer market, they are now focusing on growing their UK community by collaborating with healthcare providers. The serum is attracting growing interest, particularly from pelvic health specialists, urogynaecologists and menopause practitioners. 

Building partnerships with primary care and community health services is a priority as they strengthen their clinical evaluation strategy. Chiara was awarded Best Pitch at the Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate Showcase, and plans to promote the publication of P.Happi’s Innovate UK study findings at conferences across the UK in 2026. 

P.Happi are also looking for further investment to grow their team and expand production. As they approach the applications for the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst competition, offered through the Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate programme, they are hoping to secure grant funding to launch a pilot in the East of England later in the year. 

P.Happi’s core goal is to make microbiome-friendly intimate care accessible to more women, both on the high street and through the NHS, which can contribute to reduced antibiotic use, stronger community-based care and improved quality of life and productivity for women. 

P.Happi is part of Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate. This cohort ran from November 2025 until February 2026.

Accelerating FemTech: Evaluate is an Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator delivered by the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London, DigitalHealth.London and partners from across the UK.