Pharma Firm to Market Probi’s GI Probiotic Strain in Europe, Emerging Markets

Photo © iStockphoto.com/David Marchal

Under a new distribution agreement, global firm Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (Paris) will commercialize and distribute the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V) from Swedish probiotic supplier Probi AB. Clinical studies show LP299V may reduce signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in adults.

Probi will supply the bulk ingredient, while Ipsen will handle packaging, marketing, and selling. The focus territory is largely 18 countries primarily within the EU, as well as emerging markets. “It is expected to be launched in the first half of 2017 as a food supplement in the European markets and then in other key markets such as Russia and China, depending on regulatory approval,” the companies’ press release states. They expect the probiotic to be largely be sold through pharmacies.

LP299V will complement Ipsen’s gastroenterological medical portfolio. Ipsen’s chairman and CEO Marc de Garidel stated in the press release, “Ipsen is delighted to enter the field of probiotics with a very well-recognized and R&D-focused company such as Probi. This partnership is fully aligned with our strategy to strengthen our portfolio in the field of gastroenterology and expand into probiotics.” Jean Fabre, Ipsen’s executive vice president, primary care, added that LP299V “has strong medical endorsement that will perfectly fit with our expertise and leverage our capabilities towards physicians and pharmacists in many countries.”

On Probi’s part, the company says this is one of the firm’s largest distribution agreements to date, one that the Probi CEO Peter Nählsedt said would expand the company’s global footprint.

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A 2016 Update: Promising New Science on Probiotics

Jennifer Grebow
Editor-in-Chief
Nutritional Outlook magazine
jennifer.grebow@ubm.com