Chr Hansen became a major player in offering probiotic solutions to problems such as vaginosis and vaginitis when a year ago it procured the Canadian firm Urex Biotech Inc, from vaginal probiotics pioneer, the renowned academic, Professor Gregor Reid.
Professor Reid maintains relations with the company in a consulting role, a fact that has helped the development of trials involving the strains, along with combinations and formulations that have proved attractive to the likes of Merck, other pharma players and food supplements players.
The company bundles the strains – Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 – it acquired from Urex under the name Probio-Tec, a formulation Lasse Nagell, global sales director in the health & nutrition division at Chr Hansen, said was performing, “above market growth”.
But Nagell would not reveal specific sales data.
He said products containing Probio-Tec were performing well because of the level of science backing them and the simplicity of the marketing message for vaginal problems that are estimated to affect more than 30 per cent of women.
Nagell said there were “quite a few” ongoing trial sin the area, some of which were supported by Chr Hansen at various levels from providing the supplement, to designing the trial. Professor Reid remained integral in this part of the business.
Nicolas Barrois, Merck brand manager for its product, Bion, said Merck was looking to expand the brand. “When you have such a successful launch in one country, the next step is to find out how to repeat the success in more countries.”
Merck launched Bion in France in 2006,when it acquired the strains from Urex, and last year launched in Germany under the brand name ‘Femibion Flor Intim’.
Acquisition
Chr Hansen bought Urex for an undisclosed feein January, 2009. At the time, Chr Hansen executive vice president for its health and nutrition division, Henrik Dalboege, said acquiring Urex would help, “take its women’s health strategy to the next level”.
Vaginosis can lead to vaginal infection which can result in unpleasant odours as well as itching, swelling, irritation and stomach cramps.
Chr Hansen’s other major health and nutrition platforms are in the gastro and immunity areas and Dalboege said further acquisitions formed part of this strategy. Its health and nutrition division was formed in September, 2007.