The licensing commercialization agreement includes the following territories: Asia, Americas, France and Czech Republic, said Lallemand in a press release.
L. plantarum P17630 (Proge P17630) is supported by clinical evidence to support and maintain an equilibrium of a normal vaginal microflora, when taken orally at a dose of 5 billion CFU/day, in women prone to experience temporary imbalances in their vaginal microflora. This strain has a wide spectrum of benefits to vaginal health, from helping maintain proper vaginal balance to being used in combination with conventional treatments for candidiasis (anti-fungal). According to Proge Farm, it has been been studied in over 800 women, in six clinical studies, including two by oral intake.
“Proge Farm highly documented probiotic strain L. plantarum P17630 (Proge P17630), is a valuable new asset in Lallemand Health Solution’s Women’s health probiotic range,” said Isabelle Champié, vice-president sales and marketing at Lallemand Health Solutions.
“Women’s health is gaining more importance in the probiotics market as consumers are increasingly looking for natural ways to take care of their intimate health. Furthermore, with this specific strain, it will be even easier to do so with one daily dose taken orally.”
Giancarla Dondi, owner and chief executive officer at Proge Farm, commented: “We are proud of this significant licensing commercialization agreement with Lallemand Health Solutions, a worldwide renowned key player in the probiotics industry. They will have the ability to broadly disseminate our strain L. plantarum P17630 (Proge P17630); meaning more women will benefit from its compelling effects.”
A fast-growing niche
Speaking with NutraIngredients last year, Ewa Hudson, head of market insights at Lumina Intelligence (which is also owned and operated by William Reed, publishers of NutraIngredients-USA), said women's health is a rapidly growing and evolving category in the probiotic market, and it is witnessing ever-increasing levels of industry and consumer engagement.
“Probiotics for women is a fast-growing niche, increasingly engaging women across online retail channels and on social sites,” said Hudson.
“Post-purchase product review scores are relatively high, making probiotics for women a promising niche from the marketers’ perspective. Interest in probiotic cosmetics, typically targeting women, is also on the rise.”
