Biosearch Life has received authorisation for registration of its probiotic LC40 strain from the Family Planning and National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, according to the firm. The registration will allow the extended use of the Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 LC40 strain in infant formula milk manufactured in China, in addition to its existing authorisation for use in food and food supplements gained in 2011.
The Spanish biotechnology firm said the authorisation of registration for its LC40 strain is a great opportunity because there are only eight strains authorised for such use in China - which is the world's largest infant formula market.
“This puts the company at the height of leading probiotic market companies at a key moment in the infant nutrition market in China,” said Biosearch Life in a press release which noted that the authorisation has coincided with wholesale changes to the rules of marketing infant formula milk which the firm said will involve restructuring the market and provide "great potential for growth."
The company added that the strain, which is isolated from breast milk, is an ‘outstanding’ candidate for use in infant nutrition – and has been widely used in various children’s products in Europe.