Swedish probiotics player sales surge 16%

Swedish probiotics supplier and product manufacturer BioGaia has seen sales increase 16 per cent in 2010 to €27.77m from €23.08m in 2009, with after-tax profit increasing 31 per cent year-on-year to €5.35m.

Q4 after-tax profit jumped 90 per cent to €1.46m.

“On the whole, we thus had a very strong development during 2010 and are building value by investing further in clinical research, product development and the BioGaia brand," said BioGaia president Peter Rothschild.

The company highlight research advances in Q4. These included the publication of a study demonstrating Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis is effective in treatment of periodontitis, a common, chronic inflammatory disease that is characterised by gum tissue separation from the tooth – forming a periodontal pocket that can lead to bone and tooth loss.

Another study found Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis reduced regurgitation and improved stomach emptying in infants.

Partnerships

The company also signed two significant agreements in Q4, one in Greece for its Oral Rehydration Solution.

Its 50 per cent-owned company, TwoPac, which manufactures advanced ingredient delivery systems also established a new facility in Eslöv, Sweden.

Correction: This article has been amended to remove inadvertent references to another Swedish probiotics supplier.