Lab4 is the name given to the probiotic bacteria strains developed by Cultech Ltd, the Welsh based nutraceutical company. The Lab4 consortium of probiotic bacteria has been incorporated into many popular brands of probiotics (e.g. GNC in US). Lab4 consists of four specially selected types of friendly probiotic bacteria: Lactobacillus acidophilus – strain 1 ; Bifidobacterium bifidum; Lactobacillus acidophilus – strain 2; Bifidobacterium animalis (var lactis)
Clinical trials have shown Lab4 halved the risk of allergic sensitisation in infants up to two years of age while the risk of atopic eczema was also reduced by over 50%
The babies given Lab4b were 44% less likely to develop allergic reaction to the common allergens including pollen, cow’s milk, egg, and house dust mite
Infant immune health remains one of the most promising areas so far for probiotics aimed at allergies. The theory goes that allergies are most easily thwarted at an early stage of life, before obvious symptoms arise.
Meets all the prerequisites and requirements of the 2004 European Consensus for a good probiotic
Supports Nestle actives pursuit of microbiome research
Supports ambitions and objective for commitment to the first 1000 days
In October 2015 DuPont added the new HN001 strain Protect EarlyLife to its Howaru line targeting infant allergies
Cultech own the IP for some of the strains that they use for Lab4
Cultech own the IP on all data for the clinical trials carried out to demonstrate the health benefits
Business model to date has been focused on R&D to support the probiotic based contract manufacturing business
May also look at licensing of the IP for 3rd parties to develop
Nestle Nutrition
| Incorporated | Raised Money | Patents | Prototype |
|---|---|---|---|
Enhances dietary intake, lifestyle and health status of children
Most children develop allergic sensitivity in the first 2 years of life, and if a child is diagnosed with atopic eczema during this time then there is a greater than 50% likelihood of progressing to develop asthma by the age of 12
Almost 1 in 12 young children suffer from a food allergy and it is a key concern amongst parents
http://lab4probiotics.co.uk/
http://www.provenprobiotics.co.uk/knowledge-centre/lab4/