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Bifodan signs ‘groundbreaking’ JV on probiotics

Bifodan has announced the initiation of what it believes is a potentially groundbreaking scientific joint venture to develop a new technology for microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria. Endorsed and co-funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, Bifodan will be joined by the University of Copenhagen and Danish Technological Institute in what it says is an ambitious effort to […]

Bifodan has announced the initiation of what it believes is a potentially groundbreaking scientific joint venture to develop a new technology for microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria. Endorsed and co-funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, Bifodan will be joined by the University of Copenhagen and Danish Technological Institute in what it says is an ambitious effort to be able to deliver probiotics alive for targeted release in the intestinal tract.

Probiotic encapsulation technology has the potential to protect microorganisms and to deliver them into the gut, Bifodan says. With this project, Bifodan said that it expects to be able to expand its acid protection technology to the company’s entire probiotic product portfolio – a technology, which is very limited in its current commercial availability.

“The challenge of probiotic microencapsulation specifically, is to control temperature and water activity in the manufacturing process to ensure probiotic viability’ says Kasper Wennike, Head of Innovation at Bifodan. ‘We are optimistic about a successful outcome, and very fortunate to be able to work with University of Copenhagen and DTI on this project”.

Innovation Fund Denmark supports strategic research, innovation and technological developments, which are expected to create competitive advantages for Danish companies.

“We are very excited that Innovation Fund Denmark recognizes the demand for probiotic microencapsulation. That Bifodan are able to cooperate with University of Copenhagen on developing and scaling this technology, is nothing short of a technological breakthrough”, said Bifodan CEO, Steen Andersen.