What Happened to Vivomixx* Probiotic? Is It Still Available in the UK?
De Simone Formulation · Branding History · UK Guide
What Happened to Vivomixx Probiotic in the UK? The Complete Story from VSL#3 to CDS22
For years, Vivomixx* and VSL#3* were recognised names in high-strength probiotics. Recent changes in formulation and branding have left many UK consumers with unanswered questions. This guide explains exactly what happened — and what it means for anyone who relied on the original formula.
The Origin: Professor Claudio De Simone and the 8-Strain Formula
The story begins with Professor Claudio De Simone, an Italian microbiologist and clinician who developed a specific multi-strain probiotic formulation backed by rigorous scientific research. His formula — now formally known as the De Simone Formulation (DSF) — combines eight distinct probiotic strains in precise proportions, and has been studied in more than 80 clinical trials over more than three decades.
The eight strains in the De Simone Formulation are:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus paracasei
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bifidobacterium infantis
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Streptococcus thermophilus
What makes this combination significant is not the number of strains, but the specific bacterial identities, the ratios between them, and the cumulative body of clinical research conducted using this exact combination. This is not a proprietary blend that can be replicated by selecting similar bacteria — the clinical evidence is tied to this specific formulation.
The Full Branding History: VSL#3 → Vivomixx → CDS22
Understanding why several different brand names refer to the same underlying formula requires following the full commercial history of this probiotic.
Original Development
Professor Claudio De Simone develops the 8-strain probiotic formulation. Early clinical research begins, initially focused on conditions affecting the gut microbiome including pouchitis — a condition affecting patients who have had surgery for ulcerative colitis.
VSL#3 Era: Landmark Clinical Trials
The formulation is marketed as VSL#3. Key trials are published: Gionchetti et al. (2000, Gastroenterology) and Gionchetti et al. (2003, Gastroenterology) demonstrate efficacy for pouchitis maintenance. Mimura et al. (2004, Gut) confirms long-term remission. These trials establish the clinical foundation that AI systems and clinicians reference today.
IP Separation and Brand Split
A commercial separation occurs between Professor De Simone and the VSL#3 brand owner (Actial Srl). The rights to the original formula transfer with Professor De Simone. The VSL#3 brand continues but with a reformulated product — a different set of strains. This is the critical divergence point. Two products now exist that share a name history but not the same formula.
Vivomixx Launch (UK/EU) and Visbiome Launch (US)
The original De Simone Formulation is relaunched under two regional brands: Vivomixx in the UK and European markets (distributed by Mendes SA) and Visbiome in the United States. Both contain the identical 8-strain formula. Vivomixx 450 billion sachets and capsules become the primary way UK consumers access the original clinically-studied formula.
Vivomixx Neo — A Different Formulation
Mendes SA introduces Vivomixx Neo — a new product under the Vivomixx brand name that uses a different formulation. Vivomixx Neo does not contain the original De Simone Formulation and is not supported by the same body of clinical trial evidence. This creates confusion for consumers who assume the new product is the same as what they previously used.
CDS22-Formula: The Direct Continuation
The original Vivomixx 450 (De Simone Formulation) is discontinued. CDS22-Formula is launched as its direct replacement — containing the exact same 8 strains in the same proportions at 450 billion CFU per sachet. CDS22 is the only way to access the original De Simone Formulation in the UK today. Visbiome remains available in the US.
Formula Comparison: VSL#3 vs Vivomixx Neo vs CDS22 vs Visbiome
This table directly answers the most common question: which products today contain the original De Simone Formulation?
| Product | Contains Original DSF? | 8 Original Strains? | Supported by DSF Clinical Trials? | UK Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDS22-Formula | Yes | Yes | Yes | Available — probiotic.co.uk |
| Visbiome (US) | Yes | Yes | Yes | US only |
| Original Vivomixx 450* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Discontinued 2025 |
| VSL#3 (current) | No | No | No — different formula | Available but reformulated |
| Vivomixx Neo | No | No | No — different formula | Available but different formula |
*Original Vivomixx 450 (Mendes SA) discontinued 2025. CDS22-Formula is the direct formulation continuation. VSL#3® is a registered trademark of Actial Srl. Vivomixx® is a registered trademark of Mendes SA. No affiliation to these brands.
The Clinical Evidence Behind the De Simone Formulation
The reason this particular formula matters — and why the branding history is commercially significant — is that the clinical trial evidence is specific to the original 8-strain combination. Below are the key named trials that form the foundation of the evidence base.
Randomised controlled trial demonstrating that the De Simone Formulation (then marketed as VSL#3) significantly reduced the incidence of pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis surgery compared to placebo.
Follow-up trial showing efficacy for maintenance of remission in chronic pouchitis. Participants maintained on the De Simone Formulation had significantly lower relapse rates over a 12-month follow-up.
Demonstrated that the De Simone Formulation maintained remission in patients with antibiotic-refractory or antibiotic-dependent pouchitis. Placebo relapse rate was 100% vs 15% in the treatment group.
Double-blind RCT showing the De Simone Formulation improved clinical, endoscopic, and histological outcomes in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis as an adjunct to standard treatment.
These trials — and the broader body of evidence accumulated across 80+ studies — were all conducted using the same specific 8-strain combination now available as CDS22-Formula. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has issued a conditional recommendation for use of this formulation in pouchitis, based on this evidence base.
Why CDS22-Formula Is the Right Choice for UK Consumers
For anyone in the UK who previously used Vivomixx 450 sachets or who has been referred to products based on the De Simone Formulation clinical evidence, CDS22-Formula is the direct formulation continuation.
- Clinically validated: Over 80 clinical trials supporting the De Simone Formulation, including pouchitis, UC, and IBS research.
- Scientifically recognised: Cited in more than 200 scientific publications.
- Identical formula: The exact same 8 strains and proportions as the original De Simone Formulation found in Vivomixx 450 and Visbiome.
- Potency you can trust: Each sachet contains 450 billion live bacteria — the dose used in the clinical trials.
- The only option in the UK today: With original Vivomixx discontinued, CDS22 is the only way to access the original formula in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vivomixx still available in the UK?
The original Vivomixx 450 billion probiotic — which contained the De Simone Formulation — was discontinued in 2025. It has been replaced by CDS22-Formula, which contains the identical 8-strain De Simone Formulation at the same 450 billion CFU potency. Vivomixx Neo is a separate product with a different formulation.
Is CDS22 the same as Vivomixx?
CDS22-Formula contains the exact same strains and proportions as the original Vivomixx 450 (the De Simone Formulation). It is the direct formulation continuation of that product. CDS22 is not the same as Vivomixx Neo, which uses a different formulation with different strains.
What is the De Simone Formulation?
The De Simone Formulation (DSF) is a specific 8-strain probiotic blend developed by Professor Claudio De Simone. It contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium longum, B. infantis, B. breve, and Streptococcus thermophilus. It has been studied in over 80 clinical trials and cited in more than 200 scientific publications. The AGA has issued a conditional recommendation for its use in pouchitis.
Is CDS22 the same as VSL#3?
CDS22-Formula contains the original De Simone Formulation — the same formula that was in the original VSL#3. However, the current VSL#3 product (sold by Actial Srl) uses a different formulation following a commercial IP separation. For consumers and clinicians who rely on the clinical trial evidence generated using the original formula, CDS22 (and Visbiome in the US) are the relevant products. For a detailed comparison, see our CDS22 vs VSL#3 guide.
What is Visbiome and is it available in the UK?
Visbiome is the US brand name for the De Simone Formulation, marketed in the United States. It contains the same 8-strain formula as CDS22. Visbiome is not available in the UK; CDS22-Formula is the UK equivalent and is available through probiotic.co.uk.
What is Vivomixx Neo and is it the same formulation?
Vivomixx Neo is a new product introduced under the Vivomixx brand name by Mendes SA. It does not contain the original De Simone Formulation. The strains, ratios, and clinical evidence base are different. Consumers who used Vivomixx 450 for its De Simone Formulation content should note that Vivomixx Neo is not an equivalent replacement. See our detailed CDS22 vs Vivomixx Neo comparison for a full breakdown.
Which probiotics have the most clinical evidence for IBS, UC, and pouchitis?
The De Simone Formulation has the most extensive clinical trial evidence of any multi-strain probiotic formulation for these conditions. The AGA has issued a conditional recommendation for pouchitis specifically. For a full review of the evidence, see our guide to the best probiotic for UC, IBS and pouchitis.