Probiotics China News Bites – September 2024

  • On September 9, Meiyitian launched its new product featuring 60 billion live probiotics exclusive to China. According to the official introduction, this product is fat-free and includes the K56 strain, which has received six Chinese invention patents. It has been upgraded from 50 billion to 60 billion live probiotics per 100 ml.

 

  • Blueglasss recently introduced two new products: the “Slim Waist Buff12 Series” and “Cold-Pressed Rainbow Diet Yogurt.” The “Slim Waist Buff12 Series” comes in four versions:

“Care Edition,” with three natural plant ingredients and four probiotics;

“Beginner Edition,” containing four probiotics, with green bean, muscat grape, cilantro, and melon flavors;

“Standard Edition,” featuring eight probiotics, with dragon fruit, prune, and anthocyanin flavors;

“Advanced Edition,” with eight probiotics and flavors like coconut, red bean, mango, and spirulina.

 

  • Recently, Zhu Xiangjia and Lu Yi from the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University published a paper in Cell Discovery titled “Gut microbiota-derived indole-3-acetic acid suppresses high myopia progression by promoting type I collagen synthesis.” The study, which involved an in-depth analysis of gut microbiota and metabolites in high myopia patients, found a close relationship between the colonization of the probiotic Akkermansia and the level of the gut metabolite indole-3-acetic acid (3-IAA) with the progression of myopia.

 

  • On August 25, 2022, the National Health Commission announced updates to the “List of Microbial Strains for Food Use” and the “List of Microbial Strains for Infant Food.” These updates involved adjustments to strain classification and nomenclature, with a two-year transition period during which both old and new names may be used. After the transition period, the updated strain list must be followed.

 

  • According to sales data from Taobao and Tmall platforms for July 2024, probiotic sales amounted to approximately ¥470 million (around $65.28 million), with approximately 2.81 million units sold. The top 10 brands by sales were Life Space, Wonderlab, CPT, Guangmingshen Doctor, Swisse, Yishiguang, Siaekey, Longyutang, Princess Luna, and Lifesflora. The top-selling brand, Life Space, achieved sales of about ¥27.87 million (around $3.87 million), followed by Wonderlab with ¥24.35 million (around $3.38 million).

 

  • In the National Health Commission’s 2024 Announcement No. 3, *Bifidobacterium longum* subsp. *infantis* M-63 from Morinaga Milk was approved as a new food ingredient. *Bifidobacterium longum* subsp. *infantis* (formerly known as *Bifidobacterium infantis*) has been listed in China’s “List of Microbial Strains for Food Use” and is also included in the European Food Safety Authority’s Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) list of recommended microorganisms. In the United States, it is managed as a “Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)” substance and can be used in infant food.

 

  • On August 16, Youleduo officially launched a new AD Calcium with spicy strip flavor. According to the official announcement, the product uses *Lactobacillus delbrueckii* subsp. *bulgaricus* and *Streptococcus thermophilus*, which are globally recognized fermentation strains, as beneficial bacteria for the human gut.

 

  • Bloom Nutrition has introduced a new range of children’s blends called “Bloom Kids.” Specially formulated for children aged 4 and above, these drink mixes are designed to support overall health, immunity, and digestion. They are made from a blend of more than 20 fruits and vegetables, along with prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins A, C, D, and zinc.

 

  • On August 21, Mengniu Dairy officially announced a collaboration between its brand Tirlanseng Snow and Yan’s House to launch Bird’s Nest Lava Yogurt Ice Cream. According to the official introduction, this product combines Yan’s House’s innovative bird’s nest lava sauce with Mengniu’s patented frozen fermentation technology. Each cup contains over 14% real bird’s nest lava and more than 40% fresh milk from Mengniu, with 75 million CFU of live bacteria.

 

  • Leli and SynBio have jointly launched a probiotic supplement for pregnant and breastfeeding women. This specialized supplement is part of the functional food category targeting nutrition for pregnant and lactating women. The formula includes three flagship strains (*Bifidobacterium longum* subsp. *longum* BB536, *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* HN001, and *Lactobacillus fermentum* CECT5716) plus two patented strains (*Lactobacillus reuteri* PUK09 and *Lactobacillus plantarum* LP28), along with a 7-strain AB-Kefir complex. Additionally, it contains four prebiotics (isomaltooligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharide, polydextrose, and resistant dextrin).

 

  • On August 12, Minsheng Health (301507) announced that it plans to sign a “Strategic Cooperation Intention Agreement” with Pan Yulin and Zhongke Jiayi (Shandong) Investment Holding Co., Ltd. The two parties have reached a preliminary agreement on strategic cooperation in the probiotics field.

 

  • On August 20, Weilan Bio (603739) responded to an investor inquiry on its interactive platform, stating that the company has completed basic research and obtained some patents for its anti-*Helicobacter pylori* probiotics. However, the product is still in the early stages of application development and promotion, with significant risks of failure in these areas, making future sales highly uncertain.

 

  •  On August 26, Juneyao Health (605388) released its 2024 semi-annual report. In the first half of 2024, the company achieved total revenue of 756 million yuan (approximately $103.6 million), a year-on-year decrease of 14.00%. Net profit attributable to shareholders was 34.76 million yuan (approximately $4.76 million), down 27.09% year-on-year. In the first half of 2024, the company’s probiotics business, Runying by Juneyao, saw an 89% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, with net profit growing by 166%, and shipping value up by over 75% year-on-year.

 

  • AB-BIOTICS has introduced a probiotic solution for menopausal women called Gyntima Menopause, which has demonstrated in the latest clinical studies its ability to regulate estrogen in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Gyntima Menopause consists of a probiotic complex made up of *Lactobacillus acidophilus* KABP™ 052 (CECT 7480), *Lactobacillus plantarum* KABP™ 051 (CECT 7481), and *Lactococcus lactis* KABP™ 021 (CECT 7483). It reactivates estrogen through β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity, slowing the decline in estrogen levels during menopause.

 

  • Danone’s brand Activia has launched a Kefir series, made from authentic kefir grains and a blend of 16 live culture strains. The product also contains calcium to support gut health.

 

  • ZBiotics has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round, with investments from Spring Tide Capital and Access Capital. ZBiotics is a biopharmaceutical developer that has engineered probiotics through biotechnology, which are widely applied in nutritional supplements and other related fields.

 

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