On Oct 6-8 we will be attending both CPHI in Milan and CRN Annual Signature Event in Carlsbad, California. Hope to meet you there!
Where is Probi headquartered?
Probi’s headquarters is in Lund, Sweden, where the company was founded in 1991. Probi also has offices in the US and Singapore to support customers and partners globally.
Where does Probi operate globally?
Probi operates in more than 40 markets worldwide, supported by a team in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific, as well as a global network of manufacturing partners.
What does Probi do?
Probi develops, produces, and delivers clinically proven biotic solutions. With more than three decades of expertise, Probi combines scientific research, strain development, manufacturing, and product development to assist customers in creating products for a range of health areas and applications.
How did Probi start?
Probi began as a research project at Lund University in Sweden in the 1980s, investigating whether specific probiotics could improve outcomes for critically ill patients. The discovery and subsequent patent application for Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®) formed the foundation of Probi. Read our History
How long has Probi been researching and developing science-backed probiotics?
Probi has more than 35 years of experience in probiotic research and development. Since its founding in 1991, the company has continuously invested in research, clinical studies, and the development of scientifically supported biotic solutions.
Why choose Probi as your biotic solutions partner?
Probi combines scientific expertise, clinically documented strains, manufacturing capabilities, and global market experience. From strain selection and formulation through to production and commercialization, our teams work closely with customers to develop reliable, differentiated biotic solutions.
How Probi and Symrise work together
Probi is part of the Symrise Group and its Care and Wellness division. The unit combines Probi’s expertise in biotics with Symrise’s focus on human health solutions, working together to develop and promote science-backed solutions for health, wellbeing, and beauty.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate amounts. For probiotic bacteria, it is important to distinguish between genus, species, and strain. For example, in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®), Lactiplantibacillus is the genus, plantarum is the species, and 299v is the strain. The strain is particularly important because probiotic health effects are strain specific.
How do probiotics work?
Probiotics can support human and pet health through different mechanisms, depending on the specific strain. Benefits include interacting with the intestinal environment, supporting the intestinal barrier, competing with unwanted microorganisms, and influencing immune and metabolic pathways.
What is the gut microbiome and why is it important?
The gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms and their genetic material living in the gastrointestinal tract. It forms part of the wider human microbiome and interacts closely with the body. Maintaining a balanced and diverse microbial environment plays an important role in aiding digestion, immune function, and other aspects of human health.
What does CFU mean in probiotics?
CFU stands for colony-forming units. It is used to quantify the number of viable bacteria in a probiotic product. The appropriate amount depends on the individual strain and health benefit being targeted. It is typically based on research. For maximum benefit, it is important that the relevant dosage stays available throughout a product’s shelf life.
Are all probiotics the same?
No. Probiotic strains differ significantly even if they belong to the same species. Each strain has its own characteristics, mechanisms of action, stability, and clinically documented health benefits. Probiotic selection should always be based on the specific strain and evidence supporting its intended use.
What is the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics?
Probiotics – live microorganisms that provide health benefits when administered in adequate amounts.
Prebiotics – substrates selectively used by host microorganisms to provide a health benefit.
Synbiotics – combine live microorganisms with selectively utilized substrates to provide a health benefit.
Postbiotics – preparations of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confer a health benefit on the host.
Are probiotics safe?
Safety is an important part of probiotic strain development and evaluation. Probi assesses its strains through vigorous testing and clinical research alongside appropriate manufacturing and quality controls. As with any product, safety should be considered in relation to specific strain, dosage, intended population and local regulatory requirements.
How do probiotics differ from fermented foods, e.g. kefir, kimchi, kombucha?
Fermented foods and probiotics are not the same. Fermented foods are produced through controlled microbial growth and enzymatic processes. These microorganisms do not necessarily have documented health benefits, are not always identifiable, are not standardized for microbial counts, and are generally not present in adequate amounts. Probiotics must meet specific criteria for viability, dosage, and demonstrated health benefits.
Health benefits should always be linked to the specific probiotic strain, dosage, target population, and available scientific evidence. Regulatory requirements can vary between markets. All claims made about a probiotic product depend on the relevant local regulation and approved structure/function claims.
Why is clinical research important when choosing probiotics?
Clinical research demonstrates whether a specific probiotic strain confers a health benefit in humans or pets at a defined dosage. It helps distinguish scientifically supported effects from general assumptions about probiotics and provides evidence for the intended population and health outcomes.
Why should you compare different strains and not just species?
Different strains belonging to the same species can have different genetic characteristics, mechanisms of action, and health effects. A benefit demonstrated for one strain cannot automatically be applied to another strain of the same species. This makes strain-level evidence essential when selecting a probiotic.
Is it important that a strain be isolated from healthy human mucosa vs other sources?
The origin of a strain can be relevant when assessing its characteristics and potential suitability for human or pet use. However, being isolated from humans does not by itself demonstrate a health benefit or guarantee a strain will colonize or persist in the gut. These properties need to be investigated through appropriate research, including clinical studies.
Can all bacterial strains survive the passage through the stomach and adhere to the intestine?
No. Bacterial strains differ in their ability to tolerate gastrointestinal conditions and interact with intestinal cells. Probi evaluates characteristics such as stability, survivability, and adherence when developing and selecting strains. For example, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®) has demonstrated robustness under gastrointestinal conditions and an ability to adhere to intestinal epithelial cells.
How does Probi discover and develop new probiotic strains?
Probi combines scientific research, strain screening, market and health insights, and collaboration with research partners to identify opportunities for new biotic solutions. Candidate strains are characterized and evaluated for properties such as safety, stability, production potential, and biological activity before progressing through further research and clinical development.
How does Probi test and validate probiotic strains?
Probi uses a combination of laboratory, preclinical, and clinical research to evaluate its strains. This includes investigating safety, stability, mechanisms of action, production characteristics, and health effects. Clinical studies are then used to establish whether a strain delivers its intended health benefit to humans.
What does ‘scientifically proven efficacy’ mean for probiotic bacteria?
It means that the health benefit of a specific strain has been demonstrated through appropriate scientific research, including human clinical studies where relevant. The evidence should relate to the specific strain, dosage, population, and health outcome being discussed rather than being inferred from research on another strain or species.
Does Probi publish its probiotic research?
Yes. Probi actively publishes research in peer-reviewed scientific journals and provides access to a library of clinical studies. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®) alone is supported by more than 85 human clinical trials and 300 scientific publications.
Which probiotic strains does Probi offer?
Probi offers a portfolio of clinically documented probiotic strains and strain combinations, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 (HEAL9®), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GOS42 (LpGOS42™). Probi also offers the BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ strains of Streptococcus salivarius through BLIS® by Probi®.
Beyond these named strains and associated combinations, Probi offers broader collections of customized probiotic solutions developed to meet specific health, application and market requirements.
What makes Probi’s probiotic strains unique?
Probi’s strains are selected and developed through a science-led approach, with a focus on well-characterized bacteria, safety, stability and clinically documented health benefits. Several strains are also protected by patents and supported by extensive scientific documentation.
How does Probi identify and characterize its probiotic strains?
Probi uses scientific and analytical methods to identify and characterize individual strains, assessing properties relevant to safety, stability, production, biological activity, and potential health benefits. Strain-level characterization is essential because bacteria belonging to the same species can have different properties and effects.
Can multiple probiotic strains be combined in one formulation?
Yes. Multiple strains can be combined when there is a clear rationale for doing so, and the combination is shown to be suitable for the intended application. Probi develops both single-strain and multi-strain solutions, with combinations selected according to their characteristics, compatibility, and supporting evidence.
Where does Probi produce its strains?
Probi has two complementary manufacturing facilities in the USA. Its Redmond, Washington facility focuses on probiotic fermentation, nitrogen freezing, dry blending and freeze-drying, while its Lafayette, Colorado facility specializes in dietary supplement manufacturing, including tableting, encapsulation and packaging. Probi also works with a global network of third-party manufacturing partners to support flexible, reliable production and supply.
Is Probi a full-service probiotic manufacturing partner?
Yes. Probi provides end-to-end support, from strain selection and formulation through fermentation, production quality control, packaging, and shipment. Our US facilities provide in-house manufacturing capabilities, complemented by a global network of trusted manufacturing partners.
How does Probi manufacture probiotics?
Probi’s manufacturing process starts with carefully selected and well-characterized probiotic strains. At its Redmond facility in Washington, US, strains undergo fermentation, nitrogen freezing, and freeze-drying to produce stable probiotic powders. At the Lafayette facility in Colorado, these powders can be dry blended and processed into consumer-ready products through tableting, encapsulation and packaging. Probi applies rigorous testing and quality controls throughout the manufacturing process to help ensure the quality, purity, safety and stability of its probiotic strains.
Which product formats does Probi offer?
Probi offers probiotic powders, capsules and tablets, including chewable tablets and Fast-Melt powders in sachets. It also provides bulk probiotic ingredients and customized finished products available in bulk or bottles depending on application and market requirements.
How does Probi maintain probiotic stability throughout manufacturing?
Probiotic bacteria are sensitive to factors including temperature, humidity, and physical handling. Probi uses controlled processing, specialized manufacturing expertise and appropriate packaging to protect bacterial vitality throughout production, storage and distribution.
How does Probi ensure quality and consistency across every batch?
Probi applies rigorous testing and quality controls throughout the manufacturing process. Ingredients and products undergo repeated testing and analysis to ensure quality, purity, safety, and probiotic stability. Probi’s manufacturing facilities operate under controlled cGMP conditions and are regularly audited by registered third parties.
Which quality standards and certifications does Probi meet?
Probi’s manufacturing facilities operate according to applicable GMP requirements and are FDA-inspected. Its sites hold a range of recognized certifications, including NSF certifications, FSSC 22000, and UL certification. Probi’s cultures are also certified Halal and Kosher, with relevant products and facilities holding additional certifications.
Can Probi manufacture organic and vegetarian probiotic products?
Yes. Probi can support the development and manufacture of organic and vegetarian probiotic products, subject to the requirements of the relevant market and product. Our teams can advise customers on specific requirements for their intended market.
Are Probi probiotic strains Kosher and Halal?
Yes. Probi states that its cultures are Kosher and Halal certified. Specific certification requirements can vary by product and market, so customers should confirm the requirements for their individual application with Probi.
Probi probiotics can be developed for a broad range of applications, including dietary supplements and functional foods and beverages. Depending on the strain and formulation, solutions can be developed in formats such as powders, capsules, tablets, and other innovative delivery formats.
Can probiotics be added to foods, beverages and supplements?
Yes. Probi develops probiotic solutions for dietary supplements as well as food and beverage applications. The suitability of a strain depends on factors such as stability, processing conditions, dosage, product composition, and expected shelf life.
Which dosage formats does Probi offer?
Probi supplies probiotic solutions as bulk powder or finished products, including capsules, tablets, chewables, spheres and Fast Melt sticks.
Can Probi support formulation and product development?
Yes. Probi works with customers throughout product development, from selecting appropriate strains and determining dosage through formulation, format selection, manufacturing, and packaging. Probi can also help assess the compatibility and stability of additional ingredients within a formulation.
Can Probi develop customized probiotic solutions?
Yes. Probi develops customized solutions based on the customer’s target market, health position, product format, and formulation requirements. Customers can work with Probi to select strains, combine probiotics with other ingredients, and develop the appropriate product format.
How does Probi help brands bring products to the market?
Probi supports customers throughout the journey from concept to commercialization. This includes strain selection, formulation, manufacturing, packaging, and quality control, alongside technical, regulatory, and product development support. Global teams also provide ongoing support after launch.
Does Probi provide regulatory and technical support?
Yes. Probi’s teams can provide technical and regulatory support throughout product development and help customers navigate the requirements for registration in their target markets. Because regulations and permitted claims vary between markets, customers should obtain appropriate local regulatory advice before commercialization.
