News & Views
History of the Discoverers of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v
Probi was a pioneer in the field of probiotic research and development. Already in 1986, Probi's founders initiated a research project at the University of Lund with the aim of developing a new nutritional supplement that could be given to patients who were seriously ill. Researchers had at that time very limited knowledge about the importance of intestinal flora. The project was therefore quite visionary.
The researchers investigated the intestinal flora of both healthy and sick people. They observed correlations that prompted them to conclude that the bacteria that the sickest patients were lacking could, in fact, provide medicinal benefits. The bacteria strains that would have the best chances of functioning were chosen and Probi was founded so that development towards a finished product could be conducted in the best way.
Advances since then have meant that Probi has established itself a leading company in the field of probiotic research and development, which is illustrated by Probi's broad clinical documentation and the extensive commercial agreements that have been signed.
In 1991 Probi submitted the patent for Lp299v and it has been used in a fruit drink called ProViva. International license agreements signed with the world's leading functional food distributors, Group Danone, and dietary supplement leaders, Institut Rosell. ProViva becomes the first product outside Japan to be approved for marketing using product-specific health claims.
Probi issues new shares worth 78 million SEK in order to commercialise the Lp299v bacterium in the Functional Food and Dietary Supplement business areas. Positive results from treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) published.