Probi invests US$6M in Blis Technologies’ probiotics for throat infections, immunity and oral health

06 Jul 2021 --- Swedish probiotics company Probi is investing approximately NZ$9 million (US$6.4 million) in newly issued shares in Blis Technologies, a New Zealand probiotics company. 

Blis has clinically documented bacterial strains to support natural immune defenses, preventing mouth and throat infections. The strains also contribute to dental and gum health.

“Probi’s distribution agreement with Blis Technologies is of global character,” Tom Rönnlund, CEO at Probi, tells NutritionInsight. 

“This being said, the US market size and interest in probiotics are attractive for us. We see good potential for Probi in expanding our product offering toward global and US consumers.”

The investment corresponds to a 13 percent ownership of Blis, making Probi the second-largest shareholder in Blis. Moreover, Probi will receive its own representative on Blis’ board. 

The investment corresponds to a 13 percent ownership of Blis, making Probi the second-largest shareholder in Blis. In connection with the investment, the two probiotics players have signed a licensing and distribution agreement. Probi will manufacture Blis’ bacterial strains and offer these to Probi’s global customers. 

Probi aims to begin producing Blis products from Q4 this year. In parallel, the company will roll out Blis bacterial strains in the Probi portfolio during the fall.

Open wide for oral health probiotics
Overall, the World Health Organization estimates oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people. “There is definitely an increased interest in probiotics for oral and throat infections,” says Rönnlund. 

“In regards to throat and immune health, we have all been reminded of the importance of supporting a strong immune system during the pandemic situation.” 

According to the 2020 State of America’s Oral Health Report, 90 percent of US adults believe that maintaining their oral health has been essential to protecting their overall health throughout the pandemic. 

“As for oral health, we see an increased global demand for probiotic supplements,” Rönnlund continues. “According to Innova Market Insights, as many as 46 new probiotic oral health supplements were launched during 2019. So the consumer interest is definitely there.” 

Probiotics product launches targeting oral health from BioGaia, Chr. Hansen and Lallemand Health Solutions further evidence this rising trend. 

Streptococcus strains
Blis offers Blis K12 and Blis M18, specifically developed oral probiotics that inhibit illness-causing bacteria in the mouth and the throat – “the gateway to your body.” 

Blis’ probiotics broadly target ears, nose, throat, halitosis, immune health, teeth and gums and skincare.Both probiotics are specific strains of Streptococcus salivarius and have “some crossover in what both can do.” However, K12 supports upper respiratory health, throat health and bad breath, M18 supports teeth and gum health.

Blis M18 has been granted Generally Regarded As Safe status by the US Food and Drug Administration.

While the companies’ respective R&D teams will jointly explore relevant product development opportunities, Probi has not shared specifics on its research projects at this point. 

Expansion trajectory
The Blis investment is the latest in a string of Probi’s acquisition and partnership moves. Within the probiotics realm, the company has previously expanded into the sectors of D2C cosmetics, Chinese pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter digestive solutions.

Probi’s research partnership with Blis is one of many. In June, Probi signed a long-term R&D collaboration agreement with the Competence Centre on Health Technologies to develop new products based on lactobacilli strains. In March, it joined forces with La Trobe University in Australia to investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome and bone health.

By Anni Schleicher

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