The collaborative partnership will leverage the expertise and scientific portfolios of the two businesses in their respective fields for the development of synbiotics, defined as “a mixture comprising live microorganisms and substrate(s) selectively utilized by host microorganisms that confers a health benefit on the host”. (Swanson et al., 2020, Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol)
Synbiotics can be used for their complimentary benefits or aim to be synergistic and improve the survival and colonization of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can provide benefits for gut health, digestion, and immune function. Awareness of good digestive health is rapidly increasing, driving the demand for complementary products.
According to a press release from the companies, the collaboration will initially focus on advancing the collective understanding of prebiotic and probiotic combinations, but it also opens future opportunities for the companies in terms of research, development, and commercialization of a joint synbiotic technology.
"Collaborating with Clasado is a fantastic opportunity. Through this partnership, we aim to explore the potential of combining our probiotic strains with Bimuno GOS and lay the foundation for exciting synbiotic collaborations," said Anita Johansen, CEO of Probi.
" Through this collaboration, we aim to pool our knowledge and scientific research capabilities to build a firmer and credible foundation for synbiotic product development, particularly in priority health areas. In turn, we believe this scientific-led partnership will benefit health and nutrition customers globally, as well as end users," added Per Rehné, CEO of Clasado.
Portfolios
Founded in 1991, Probi has grown into a globally recognized player in the probiotics space, with expertise managing stable, live bacteria from R&D through every stage of the manufacturing process. Probi has expanded its operations to more than 40 markets and holds more than 400 patents globally. The company reported sales of SEK 618 million (€53 million, $57 million) in 2022.
Clasado’s Bimuno GOS ingredient have been recognized at both the NutraIngredients-Europe and USA Awards as prebiotic ingredient of the year. The ingredient originated as a research project at the University of Reading, and since 2008, the company has completed over 20 clinical trials on its galactooligosaccharide (GOS) prebiotic.
Clasado’s Rehné said the whole biotics category is experiencing “an exciting period of growth” and the partnership with Probi is an “ideal match”.
“We believe in the power of scientific evidence that consumers can trust,” he said. “With Bimuno GOS being the most studied galactooligosaccharide ingredient on the market, backed by over 110 scientific publications, including more than 20 clinical trials. Combining this with Probi’s impressive probiotic library, supported by state-of-the-art preclinical and clinical trials it’s a great match, and, like us, the business works in close quarters with academic institutions. We look forward to developing our new partnership and helping to shape the bright future of synbiotics in commercial nutrition.”
Probi’s Johansen added: "In the accelerating health and wellbeing market, consumers are responding to new scientifically backed products, and our shared commitment to empirical trial-based evidence makes this a partnership with great potential.
“Propelled by consumer demand for better gut microbiome health, the market for synbiotics is expanding at speed, but advanced study and a dedicated research programme could make this growth exponential.
“Through this partnership, we’ll be exploring how products in our probiotic library can function alongside Bimuno GOS in formulations, and we hope to set the bar for synbiotic collaboration.”
