The acquisition, for an undisclosed fee, will see Urex’s activities brought within Hansen’s headquarters on the outskirts of Copenhagen, along with its suite of probiotic strains and intellectual property.
Urex specialises in developing supplements that seek to ease women’s health problems such as vaginosis and was founded by a pioneering academic in the area, Professor Gregor Reid.
Professor Reid will continue to work with Chr Hansen, as his company has done since 2004 when they formalised an alliance and which has seen pills, gels and other supplements appear on European, North American and Asian markets.
Chr Hansen executive vice president for its health and nutrition division, Henrik Dalboege, told NutraIngredients.com the purchase fitted Chr Hansen’s strategy to “take its women’s health strategy to the next level”.
“We are already working on developing second generation women’s products that will help the estimated 30 per cent of women that suffer from vaginosis at one time or another in their life,” he said.
“Which is why it is vital we are continuing our collaboration with Professor Reid because there is no greater authority in this area than him.”
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 although he affirmed there was no particular firm in its sights in the short-term.
Its health and nutrition division was formed in September, 2007, and notched growth of 20 per cent in 2007-08.
The Urex range of supplements is built upon two probiotic strains that have been clinically proven to ease symptoms associated with vaginosis.
Vaginosis can lead to vaginal infection which can result in unpleasant odours as well as itching, swelling, irritation and stomach cramps.