November 7, 2007

DSM invests in Ganeden Biotech to explore probiotic market

DSM Venturing, the corporate venturing unit of Royal DSM N.V., announced it is investing in Ganeden Biotech, Inc., a US probiotics company which markets dietary supplements.

Ganeden's products mainly serve the human consumer market.  Founded in 1997, Ganeden Biotech's brand names include Digestive Advantage, Sustenex and Clearly Confident. These products are based on a spore forming and lactic acid producing bacterium, Bacillus coagulans, which work within the intestinal ecosystem to help normalize digestive function and combat a variety of digestive symptoms.

Ganeden's proprietary Bacillus coagulans strains, particularly GanedenBC30(TM), is stands out from most other prebiotics due to its longer shelf life, better gastric acid survivability and resistance against temperature and pressure during processing.

Ganeden also runs a licensing business to exploit the potential of its BC strains in other applications such as animal feed, functional foods, feminine hygiene products and environmental solutions.

The investment is expected to boost DSM's innovation ambitions in the Nutrition cluster, particularly in the markets for ingredients for human and animal nutrition.