Kerry to promote Bio-Cat’s digestion-aiding probiotic Opti-Biome MB40

02 Jun 2021 --- Kerry will lead the sales, marketing and distribution of Bio-Cat’s proprietary probiotic strain, Opti-Biome MB40.

The strain has been proven effective in reducing bloating and abdominal discomfort symptoms, and Bio-Cat hopes its new partnership will provide a platform for MB40 to be formulated into F&B products. 

“Given the impressive performance of the MB40 strain and its potential to have a significant impact on the dietary supplement, functional F&B and companion animal industries, we have decided to work with a partner who will help scale MB40 globally” says Bio-Cat CEO Chris Schuler. 

“Kerry’s expertise, commitment to developing a leading probiotic platform, access to global resources and plans to further scientifically support MB40 make it an ideal partner.”

Schuler points to the success of Kerry’s branded probiotic health ingredient GanedenBC30, which last year received a digestive health claim approval from the Brazilian F&B health agency ANVISA. Kerry has placed the probiotic in over 1,000 food and beverage products globally – something Schuler hopes the company can achieve for MB40. 

Optibiome MB40 has been shown to improve abdominal pains and bloating.Kerry will apply its brand development capabilities to refresh the MB40 brand over the coming months. Once fully developed, the new brand name will be supported by Kerry’s global marketing and commercial infrastructure in its network of nearly 150 locations across 31 countries.

MB40 for gut health 
A 2019 study published in the National Library of Medicine investigated how Bacillus subtilis MB40 affects digestion, abdominal discomfort and gas in 100 healthy participants. 

Participants received either MB40 supplements or a placebo every day over four weeks and completed three questionnaires each day: a modified abdominal discomfort, gas, and bloating questionnaire; a modified gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale; and a bowel habits diary.

The results show that although MB40 supplementation did not significantly improve bloating across all populations, the male sub-group demonstrated clinically significant reductions in bloating intensity, the number of days with abdominal discomfort, gas, bloating and duration of gas, when compared to placebo. 

Additionally, the male sub-group receiving MB40 had a 10 percent improvement in general health score. 

“We are delighted to partner with Bio-Cat to further develop and market this unique and highly stable Bacillus strain, which will complement our growing portfolio of science-backed branded ingredients in our ProActive Health portfolio,” says John Quilter, VP and general manager of Kerry’s ProActive Health business.

Kerry aiding gut health 
The partnership follows Kerry’s recent acquisition of Spanish probiotic company Biosearch Life, a recognized supplier of probiotics obtained from human breast milk. 

This year, Kerry also signed a licensing partnership with Japan-based Pharma Foods International for the development, application and global sales of joint health ingredient technology. 

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton