Probi is a leading bioengineering company that researches and develops probiotic bacteria. We have a network of researchers in several countries documenting new beneficial health effects of Probi’s patented strains and identifying new, more effective strains for patent protection.

Probi works actively and continuously to maintain a well-balanced research portfolio that includes both short-term and long-term projects with various risk profiles. This entails that Probi is continuously able to offer customers and business partners new products and product concepts.

Since its launch in 1991, Probi has established a comprehensive library of bacteria containing bacterial strains isolated from humans and that offer potential probiotic attributes. The main requirement for a strain to qualify for a research project is that it can survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract and that it has specific characteristics providing it with the ability to benefit human health. In early laboratory tests, the new bacterial strain is identified, described and assessed for safety. Preclinical studies are then carried out in various animal models to further ensure that the bacterial strain has the desired characteristics and does not present any risks.

The final evidence that a bacterial strain has probiotic attributes is obtained in clinical trials involving human test subjects. Probi’s objective is always to conduct at least two independent clinical trials with documented positive results before a product or product concept is introduced to the market. This entails that all of Probi’s commercially available bacteria have a high level of clinical documentation in terms of effects, which also implies significant opportunities to obtain the relevant government agencies’ approval for the use of health claims.

From initial laboratory testing to market launch, the research and development process for probiotics has many similarities with the pharmaceutical development process, but the requirements for resources and time are less extensive. On average, Probi can develop a completely new product concept in three to five years.