DuPont, AB-Biotics announce agreement

IN A NEW agreement, DuPont Nutrition & Health and AB-Biotics will work together on the product AB-Life?, a probiotic that is clinically documented to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in at-risk individuals. As agreed, DuPont will produce, market and sell this product exclusively, whilst AB-Biotics will conduct clinical research to further substantiate the product’s proven health benefits.

AB-Life is a patented probiotic formulation developed by AB-Biotics, a biotech company based in Barcelona, Spain. DuPont is integrating this probiotic into its documented HOWARU? probiotic range for the dietary supplement and food and beverage industries. The company expects to launch the product in 4^th quarter 2014.

The AB-Life probiotic strain

“Probiotics is a fast-growing segment of our business as people increasingly experience the benefits they can provide. Our HOWARU? formulations have been clinically tested and shown to deliver the digestive and immune support people need, and we are looking forward to adding cardiovascular support to our probiotics portfolio,” said Fabienne Saadane-Oaks, vice president Health and Protection, DuPont Nutrition & Health.

The probiotic will complement DuPont’s portfolio for cardiovascular health, which includes Danisco? Pinvita? phytosterols, Danisco? Evesse? EPC, a natural apple extract and soy protein to address the needs of a global healthy aging population.

“This agreement marks a significant milestone for AB-Biotics and proves the high value of our patented probiotics and other functional ingredients for the dietary supplement and food and beverage industries,” said Miquel Angel Bonachera and Sergi Audivert, CEOs of AB-Biotics. “Thanks to DuPont we can bring AB-Life? to this market with a top-positioned partner.”

No.1 killer disease

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death globally. About 43% of cardiovascular deaths arise from coronary heart disease and 32% from strokes; raised cholesterol increases the risks of heart disease and stroke. Globally, a third of ischaemic heart disease is attributable to high cholesterol.

Industry estimates state that the global retail market for probiotics is estimated at $32 billion and is expected to grow to $45 billion in 2018. More than 90% of the total is attributed to food, beverage and dietary supplements. 

The WHO defines probiotics as "live micro-organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health bene?t on the host."  Probiotics offer unique support for digestive and immune health and other well-being benefits for the dietary supplement, dairy and beverage markets.