Isoflavones such as genistein, daidzein or glycitein are natural constituents of food plants such as soy or red clover. They are considered SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators) due to their agonistic activity at the estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). This agonistic receptor affinity is responsible for the protective effect of dietary isoflavones against the development of hormone-sensitive cancer (e.g., breast, endometrial or prostate cancer), as observed in epidemiological trials and clinical studies. The same effect is most probably also responsible for the observation of reduced vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women. Isoflavones have (wrongly) been classified as "phyto-estrogens", although they lack ERα-induced proliferation enhancing estrogenic effects in the human organism.

With the results of the WHI study (Women's Health Initiative) pointing to an increased risk of breast cancer under the influence of hormone therapy the "phyto-estrogens" were likewise discussed as potentially harmfull - despite of the huge number of relevant studies underlining the safety and the health benefits of isoflavones.

Our work on isoflavones is basically in the regulatory area, with risk-benefit assessments and an in-depth analysis of the available scientific data.