Multi-species probiotics: ProBiotix expands commercialization of its products in US and Singapore

19 Nov 2020 --- OptiBiotix Health subsidiary ProBiotix Health (ProBiotix) has announced two commercial developments for its probiotic products – one in the US for its multispecies probiotic Investigational New Drug (IND) and one in Singapore for CholBiome. 

“There is a growing need for products that positively impact cardiovascular health in the US and Far East, which highlights the demand in the market for science-backed ingredients like LPLDL and finalized products such as CholBiome,” Mikkel Hvid-Hansen, commercial director at ProBiotix, tells NutritionInsight.

US approval for multispecies probiotics
The first move comes from Seed Health, a partner company. It received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for DS-01.

“The FDA authorization for a new IND application in the US is an exciting achievement that will not only boost operations in the country, but could open up additional opportunities further afield,” Hvid-Hansen notes.

There is a growing need for products that positively impact cardiovascular health in the US and Far East.As a broad-spectrum multispecies, DS-01 is a multi-strain probiotic that contains the patented Lactobacillus plantarum LPLDL from ProBiotix. 

The regulatory acceptance enables DS-01 to enter a phase II randomized, triple-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the role of the gut microbiome in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and the impact of DS-01 on intestinal microbial communities. 

The scientific and clinical evidence that supports the life sciences company’s whole genomic sequencing is one of the reasons for validating LPLDL as a potential pharmaceutical product.

“We are happy to see that Seed has achieved FDA authorization for an IND application for a product containing LPLDL. Seed is one of a number of partners OptiBiotix is working with to bring a range of cardiovascular, general health, and IBS applications to the pharmaceutical markets around the world,” says Stephen O’Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix. 

Distribution deal for CholBiome
The second development comes from Singapore, where ProBiotix extended its partner agreement with United Italian Trading Corporation (UITC) to exclusively distribute the company's cholesterol reducing product, CholBiomeX3. 

This latest agreement forms part of the increasing number of pharmaceutical companies commercializing CholBiome products into the high value GP, hospital and pharmacy markets.

“The new agreement with UITC to distribute CholBiomeX3 in Singapore follows our initial deal with UITC earlier this year to commercialize SlimBiome Medical in the same region,” notes Hvid-Hansen. 

Proven efficacy, backed by research
Products that contain LPLDL, like CholBiomeX3, are attracting increasing interest from pharmaceutical and healthcare companies as they demonstrate proven efficacy. This is based on a strong scientific approach, which is highly valued by the wholesalers, retailers and consumers, Hvid-Hansen explains.

He adds that the company firmly believes that science-backed ingredients are beneficial in obtaining a positive consumer response. 

“Our products are backed by peer-reviewed journals and scientific studies that showcase their mechanisms and efficacy.”

For consumers, this establishes trust and reaffirms their belief in both the brand and the product at hand. This is incredibly important in the long-term, especially as consumers become increasingly focused on products that are proven to work, he claims.

Looking ahead to further expansion
For ProBiotix Health, the company is building a global brand presence and already has products commercialized through partners in Europe, North and South America, and parts of Asia. 

“We are looking to grow our presence in these markets in the months ahead to build LPLDL into a global brand, that can be used in several new applications such as dietary supplements, live biotherapeutic products (LBP) as well as functional foods, such as speciality yogurts,” Hvid-Hansen sums up.

By Kristiana Lalou