Bio-K+ is a four-product capsule range designed to provide digestive support. The formulations range from 12.5 to 50 billion colony-forming units (CFU) per serving, with each formulation tailored to different digestive needs.
For example, Daily Care+ delivers 25 billion beneficial bacteria for intensive digestive support, while Extra capsules deliver 50 billion beneficial bacteria to help relieve occasional abdominal discomfort and normalize bowel habits.
Kerry has also launched a formulation which combines probiotics with Sensoril ashwagandha to support stress management and optimal digestive function for balanced wellness.
The range is built on 30 years of microbiome research and is commonly used by healthcare practitioners in North America. Johan Hellmor, VP Kerry Health Europe, said this has helped Bio-K+ establish a strong reputation, and the UK launch positions the brand to meet growing UK demand for scientifically substantiated digestive health solutions.
“The UK represents one of Europe’s most mature and innovation-driven digestive health markets, with consumers increasingly seeking products that deliver proven health benefits and transparent scientific substantiation,” he said. “Bio-K+ combines proprietary probiotic strains with an extensive body of clinical research and a long history of use. As interest in evidence-based digestive health solutions continues to grow, we see an opportunity to introduce a scientifically supported probiotic offering to consumers in the UK market.”
Probiotic strains designed to work synergistically
Bio-K+ uses three proprietary probiotic strains including Lacticaseibacillus casei LBC80R, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CLR2, and Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285.
The strains were selected based on their documented characteristics, including their ability to survive gastrointestinal transit and their demonstrated role in supporting the gut microbiome. However, Hellmor said Bio-K+’s scientific foundation extends beyond individual strains.
“The three-strain combination was developed to work synergistically, providing greater functionality together than any single strain alone,” he said. “The formulation has been evaluated in 16 clinical and observational studies over the years, with research focusing particularly on maintaining gut microbiome balance during and following antibiotic use.”
Clinical studies have demonstrated benefits in reducing the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and C. difficile infections. Research in collaboration with academic and medical partners has also demonstrated that the Bio-K+ formulation can support digestive comfort of individuals affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
This research led Health Canada to approve Bio-K to reduce the incidence of antibiotic associated diarrhoea (AAD) and C. difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD). The products are the only probiotics approved by Health Canada for these conditions.
Clinical channels will also be an important method of distribution in the UK, Hellmor said, a market that is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.59% to reach $2.43 billion (£1.82 billion) by 2031, according to Mordor Intelligence.
“Bio-K+ is initially launching across selected retail and pharmacy channels in the UK and Ireland, helping make the product more accessible to consumers,” he said. “As awareness of probiotics continues to grow, healthcare professionals will remain central to informed recommendations, with healthcare, pharmacy and clinical channels representing an important opportunity for Bio-K+ across Europe.”
A multi-platform approach
As well as clinical and pharmacy channels, Bio-K+ will launch on various consumer retail channels such as Amazon, providing a platform for future expansion across additional European markets and channels.
This multi-platform launch will therefore enable retailers, healthcare professionals and consumers to offer a variety of probiotic products for different need states, Hellmor said.
“The approach underscores a broader shift in probiotic science toward strain-specific solutions, where demonstrated efficacy is increasingly tied to both precise strain selection and clinical validation,” he said.
“Bio-K+ is supported by more than 45 peer-reviewed scientific publications and a broad portfolio of clinical research, making it one of the most extensively studied probiotic formulations available on the market.”
