Tomorrow’s probiotics With investments in R&D skyrocketing and startups and spin-offs multiplying at a rapid pace, the world of probiotics is in full swing. Clinical research continues to prove their effectiveness in new health areas and regulations are seeking to adapt to better support consumers. Actif’s Mag: Since the supplementation recommended in case of Antibiotics treatment, where is today the Probiotics industry? What are the new health axis? IFF-DuPont: In the past few years, we have really seen pro- biotics expand beyond the digestive and immune health cate- Vanessa Azevedo gories. Women’s health is the biggest growth area right now Marketing-leader EMEA IFF Health because healthy bacterial balance is so critical to vaginal and urinary health. We are also seeing growth in the areas of cogni- tive and skin health. Probi AB: Although still important, probiotics supplementa- tion has moved far beyond only being used as a complement to antibiotics. The growing knowledge about the importance of Titti Niskanen the human microbiota (gut, oral, skin, vaginal etc.) has opened Director R&D and up for a multitude of new health areas and both the science and clinical operations the industry is moving fast. The connection between the micro- Probi AB biota, probiotics and the immune system has been solidified during the last year but several of the “newer” health benefits are related to the gut-brain axis. TargEDys: Probiotics first convinced the public of their bene- fits in the digestive sphere, which was the most intuitive, then in immunity and women’s, urinary and vaginal health. Since then, research and the market have expanded in new direc- Nina Vinot tions, including metabolic health and weight control, nutrition International sales manager and sports performance, the gut-brain axis, allergy and asthma, TargEDys for example. We are moving towards more studies and products focused on chronic diseases of civilization. Actif’s Mag: Where are we at in terms of Research? a decrease in price, which has opened up new opportunities. IFF-DuPont: Within the newly formed IFF Health, innovation Although we still have a lot to learn, we are moving into an era is one of the key pillars in our combined future. We will conti- where it is likely that more new probiotic candidates will be de- nue to invest in efficacious products backed by industry leading veloped based on a higher understanding of the function and science to ensure the highest-quality products on the market composition of the human microbiota(s). We see new compa- that bring about real health benefits. We are truly harnessing nies being started every month leveraging these technological the power of synergy. Developing unique multi-ingredient advances. In addition, it is fair to say that the overall quality of concepts to deliver on health and wellness trends, keeping probiotic based R&D is increasing, and more and more pro- the consumer and our industry’s needs top of mind. While re- ducts are being supported by high quality clinical research/ searching possible complimentary products from our legacy trials. One well established strain is our Lactiplantibacillus DuPont N&B division and our legacy IFF Health division, we plantarum 299v strain (LP299V®) which is actually the most see a lot of potential for combining our microbiome and na- studied probiotic L. plantarum strain with around 200 publi- tural health ingredients into innovate health & wellness solu- cations, and more than 65 of these being clinical studies. This tions, especially in the areas of cognitive health and gut and strain has proven to have beneficial clinical efficacy within gas- immune support. The new IFF is a place where science and trointestinal-related functions, such as flatulence, abdominal creativity meet. pain, IBS in general, C-difficile infections, inflammation and Probi AB: Over the past few years there has been a phenome- nutrient absorption. Since the launch, LP299V® has assisted in nal rise in sequencing technology and capacity, followed by improving health for millions of people globally, from inten- ecneicS — ecneicSEÉSIORC WEIVRETNI- 031 -