Q&A with Malwina Naghibi: Spotlight on Science
ADM is at the forefront of gut-organ axis innovation. A dedication to the ongoing research of the gut microbiome and clinically validated prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics designed to deliver measurable health benefits for a diverse range of areas, including the gut-brain, gut-skin and gut-muscle connections, sets its health and wellness solutions apart.
As the Head of Clinical Development in the R&D Medical Team at ADM, Dr. Malwina Naghibi oversees a portfolio of nearly 30 active human trials, with more than 2,000 participants across a range of populations and health areas, including trials in women’s health, pediatric nutrition, immune health and overall gut health. She is involved in each human clinical trial that ADM runs, providing oversight, monitoring and sign-off at key stages to ensure standards and process control are maintained.
Born in Poland, married to an Iranian consultant physician and now based in England, Dr. Naghibi describes her life as a very ADM-style mix of cultures and disciplines. Her experience in academia and hospital settings continues to shape her work and how she views clinical research. Driven by the opportunity to help real people who want to feel better, Dr. Naghibi leads with curiosity, compassion, and clinical rigor.
You lead Clinical Development at ADM. How would you describe your role and its impact on the business?
I have been at ADM for almost a decade, and my role is always evolving. On the Clinical Development team, it's never the same day twice. One morning I might be designing a children's study, while in the afternoon I’m reviewing data from a women's health trial, and by evening I'm preparing a presentation for a customer meeting from an allergy trial. Overall, I sit between both research and human clinical trials.
Clinical development is an important stage in the lifecycle of a product at ADM. Once preclinical research – such as that conducted at ADM's R&D facilities in Valencia, Spain, Wuxi, China or Lausanne, Switzerland – has established a strong scientific foundation and a clear commercial need is identified, the Clinical Development team designs studies that build on those findings, as well as existing literature and cross-functional input from commercial, regulatory and marketing teams. We then execute these trials, often over several years, generating robust clinical evidence that is ultimately disseminated by R&D Medical Affairs to stakeholders across the business and globally. Notably, this same set up is used for our Pet and Animal Wellness portfolio led by Dr. Sophie Nixon, working closely with ADM Biopôle in Switzerland, which further demonstrates ADM's breadth and depth of research and solutions.
Whether I'm examining oral health, sports performance and recovery, metabolic health or immune support, all across various demographics, our goal is the same – to make a tangible difference. It's demanding and exciting, and it means our science is always moving forward.
ADM is investing in health and wellness. Where do you see the most exciting opportunities, particularly in women's health?
We explore diverse research areas – from women's health and adolescent well-being to pediatric nutrition, gut-brain function and more. To achieve this, we work with the full range of ADM's microbiome solutions in order to better understand how they can be tailored to specific life stages and health needs. One exciting new area of innovation is bacteriophage. These are the 'newest' members of the biotics family and we are working with ADM's specialist preclinical R&D team in Cork, Ireland to better understand their potential health benefits; it's a truly exciting field and we are just starting to understand the breadth of opportunity here. We strive to support health in a more personalized way, and we see biotics as the ticket to get us there.
As another example, in pediatric nutrition, we're examining how a single-strain probiotic may address common infant issues like colic. We're also collaborating with the University of Southampton, exploring how microbiome-supporting solutions could be used with standard care to support mental health outcomes in adolescents.
Personally, I find research into women's health to be particularly rewarding, and the industry is now beginning to focus on the unique aspects of women's health and wellness needs. Our studies are exploring links between the microbiome and areas like mood, stress, cognitive function, and the vaginal microbiome across life stages. Global market research indicates 70% of women describe their health as good or excellent1, signaling a generally favorable mindset toward their well-being. We also tend to see women more apt to address their health through proactive lifestyle, dietary adjustments and additional supplements. I'm excited about the pioneering research and partnerships we've fostered to move women's health solutions forward, and the journey is only just beginning.
The partnership with the University of Oxford is a key example of your research on women's health. What is the difference between this study compared to others?
Since women's health has historically been under-researched, it's important that we focus on building strong clinical evidence. Our partnership with the University of Oxford is significant in this effort.
The study we're partnering with them on is evaluating the effects of a probiotic supplement in perimenopausal women, specifically around mood and cognition. With women two to five times more likely2 to experience low mood3 during menopause compared to the time period before perimenopause, solutions that may support emotional and mental well-being and general day-to-day quality of life are incredibly important. With recruitment currently underway, I anticipate that the study will conclude at the end of 2027.
What stands out is the opportunity to translate emerging science, particularly around the microbiome and the gut-brain axis, into solutions that can support women in a meaningful, everyday way. And not to mention, the opportunity to collaborate with scientists and researchers at one of the top universities in the world is an opportunity not to be missed.
What about the trial examining a multi-strain probiotic and vaginal health? What makes this study impactful?
One of the most impactful studies we're running right now is a six-month intervention trial looking at whether a multi-strain probiotic – specifically a blend of seven bacterial strains – can support women’s vaginal health.
What makes this study particularly important is the question it’s trying to answer: can taking an oral probiotic over a longer period actually help improve vaginal health?
The design of the trial is also a big part of its impact. Participants check in at the beginning, middle, and end of the six-month period. That longer timeframe is very intentional. Someone who typically has two or three episodes a year might not experience one during a shorter study, so extending the duration gives us a better chance of capturing meaningful, real-world outcomes.
If the results show benefit, it could be hugely impactful and give us a deeper understanding into how probiotics influence intimate health, something science hasn't fully explained yet. That's where our team and ADM can really make an impact.
With such complex research underway, how do you ensure both scientific integrity and a strong participant experience?
Designing rigorous trials while keeping participation manageable is a constant balancing act. We keep the process simple, with just a few samples and visits, because life happens. Retaining people in long studies is always a challenge. Scientific integrity is non-negotiable, but it has to be balanced with practicality. We always design our trials to be as streamlined as possible, minimizing the burden on participants while collecting meaningful data. At the end of the day, these studies rely on real people, and respecting their time and experience is critical to success.
What has kept you engaged in this industry, and what continues to motivate you as you look ahead?
It comes down to purpose and people. The work we do at ADM has the potential to genuinely improve the quality of life for consumers, which is incredibly motivating. I've had the opportunity to grow alongside a team that's collaborative, curious, and committed to high standards. We are a tight-knit Medical Team, and I work closely with great people across the R&D organization in ADM Valencia, ADM Cork and many others. It's part of what makes ADM dynamic, and it keeps us learning. I work with people I like, doing work that matters.
Looking ahead, what continues to motivate me is the opportunity to keep building credible, meaningful science that can make a tangible difference in everyday well-being. We're constantly learning, especially in areas like the microbiome and women’s health and the role of phages in systemic health, and there's still so much to discover.
Learn more about ADM's commitment to microbiome research and solutions here.
1FMCG Gurus, Women, Wellness, and What’s Next, 2025
2Bromberger, JT, and Epperson, CN. (2018) Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 45(4):663–678
3Weber, MT., et al., (2014) J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 142:90-8