Probiotic Supplier UAS Laboratories Acquires Nebraska Cultures

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Probiotic ingredient supplier UAS Laboratories (Eden Prairie, MA) has acquired fellow probiotics supplier Nebraska Cultures Inc. (Walnut Creek, CA). UAS said that this acquisition will enable the company to provide its global partners with Nebraska Cultures’ well-known DDS-1 Lactobacillus acidophilus and ProDura spore-forming strains, and will further position it as an “industry leader in probiotics.”

Kevin Mehring, president and CEO, UAS Labs, commented on the acquisition in a press statement from UAS Labs: “We are extremely proud to have acquired a company that has shown strong values, impressive science, and a dedication to the industry. This groundwork enables our passionate group of colleagues to further our company mission of providing leading and trusted probiotic-based solutions.” UAS said that Maypro Industries, a distributor for Nebraska Cultures, will continue to distribute the ProDura line to its existing customer base.

In 1959, Khem Shahani, PhD, founded Nebraska Cultures and began research on the DDS-1 strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus. In the press statement, UAS Labs said that Shahani’s more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles highlighting DDS-1’s health benefits led Nebraska Cultures to conduct multiple double-blind clinical trials on the DDS-1 strain. Post-acquisition, UAS Labs said that it will continue to invest in the research and development of the DDS-1 strain.

Michael Shahani, COO, Nebraska Cultures, said in the press statement: “We are thrilled to find in UAS a home where this work can contribute to tomorrow’s industry through the tremendous technical and production capabilities that this company provides.”

Added Gregory Leyer, PhD, chief scientific officer, UAS Labs: “We are honored to have the opportunity to write the next successful chapter for the DDS-1 strain and are grateful for the work that the Shahani family has done to continue their fathers’ life work.”

The acquisition was facilitated by private equity investment firm Lakeview Equity Partners LLC, the majority owner of UAS Labs. Lakeview acquired ownership of UAS Labs in 2013.