Lallemand Health Solutions and dsm-firmenich partner to launch early-life synbiotics

24 Apr 2024 --- The new solutions will combine human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) from dsm-firmenich with probiotics from Lallemand Health Solutions to provide potential synergistic benefits that support infant health and development. The four science-based concepts focus on natural defenses, gut, mental and metabolic health. 

The products aim to establish a healthy gut microbiome, develop infants’ immune systems and bridge the gap between the composition and functionality of infant formula and breast milk — the gold standard for infant nutrition. 

“All infants deserve the best start in life, and access to optimum nutrition during early life is essential,” says James Young, the VP of early-life nutrition at dsm-firmenich. “Our partnership with Lallemand Health Solutions represents a significant milestone in the early-life nutrition market.” 

“By leveraging our deep understanding of HMOs and Lallemand’s probiotics, we are poised to set a new standard for synbiotics in infant nutrition. We are confident that this collaboration will enable us to meet the evolving needs of parents and infants, ultimately positively impacting the lives of families globally.”

Infant nutrition brands can access the synbiotic combinations exclusively through dsm-firmenich. Lallemand Health Solutions will provide synergistic combinations through its food supplement solutions. 

Infant microbiome 
A child’s first three years are critical in the colonization and development of the microbiome, with the most significant changes occurring during the first year. This time lays the foundation for optimum health and well-being throughout life, where probiotics help build the foundation for healthy growth and development by contributing to the gut microbiome. 

Developing a well-balanced microbiome in infancy is associated with various health benefits, according to dsm-firmenich. These include an improved gut barrier function against opportunistic microorganisms, proper development of the baby’s immune system and normal functioning of the gut-brain axis and its influence on the developing brain. 

The four science-based concepts focus on natural defenses, gut, mental and metabolic health.Isabelle Champié, VP of sales and marketing at Lallemand Health Solutions, highlights the company’s focus on probiotic research and development to create solutions that promote optimal health and well-being. “Our Expert’Biotic probiotic baby strains have been clinically documented in more than 1,600 infants, demonstrating proven safety and efficacy.”

“By combining them with dsm-firmenich’s science-backed HMOs, we have created innovative, synergistic solution concepts that establish a strong foundation for infants’ health by supporting the development of their microbiome during this important early-life period. We are delighted to bring this innovation to the dietary and food supplement market.”

Earlier this year, Lallemand Health Solutions told Nutrition Insight how the company uses a digital transformation to improve health. 

Synergistic synbiotics 
Synbiotics continue to gain popularity, according to industry experts. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics defines a synergistic synbiotic as the combination of a probiotic and a specifically crafted substrate intended to be selectively utilized by the probiotic. 

By combining HMOs with probiotics, dsm-firmenich and Lallemand Health Solutions create novel synbiotic solutions that enhance the benefits of each component. 

These third largest solid components of breast milk act as prebiotic agents, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and supporting the development of a healthy microbiota and immune system by protecting against potentially harmful microbes. 

The four synbiotics developed by the partners focus on the infant microbiome and gut maturation; immune system development; the gut-brain axis and cognition; and growth and development. 

Earlier this year, industry experts highlighted an increased demand for innovative ingredients in the global infant nutrition market, even though this market is slowing down. Companies focus on gut health and immunity, continuously attempting to align nutrition solutions with breast milk. 

Moreover, dsm-firmenich previously told us that HMOs can be used in various food categories, predicting their growth beyond infant formula as the ingredients are associated with immune system development and shaping the microbiota. The company highlighted that they may also play a role in brain development. 

By Jolanda van Hal