AB-BIOTICS
AB-BIOTICS is a Barcelona-based probiotic biotech (wholly-owned by Kaneka Corporation since 2019) that develops clinically-validated, patent-protected probiotic strains and formulations across ten therapeutic areas, supplying B2B pharmaceutical, supplement, and functional-food customers in 80+ global markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersBarcelona, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AB-BIOTICS does
AB-BIOTICS, S.A. is a Barcelona-based probiotic biotech founded in 2004 as a spinoff of the Autonomous University of Barcelona by Miquel Àngel Bonachera and Sergi Audivert. The company discovers, develops, manufactures, and distributes clinically-validated probiotic strains, formulations, and market-ready products targeting ten therapeutic areas — gastrointestinal, pediatric, oral, eye, immune, cardiometabolic, skin, women's, cognitive, and healthy ageing. Its technology platform is anchored by a private bank of 500+ unique strains (designated via the proprietary KABP® system) with characterized mechanisms of action, validated by 50+ published clinical trials and protected by 200+ patents; flagship formulations include AB-LIFE®, AB21®, AB-KOLICARE®, i3.1®, Gyntima®, Mindbiome®, Innerim®, AB-Dentalac®, and the postbiotic AB-Sakei 65®.
The company operates primarily as a B2B ingredient and formulation supplier to functional food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical customers worldwide, including large enterprise channel partners such as Viatris, EMS, Pisa, MEGALABS, Menarini, STADA, Wonderlab, Klosterfau, and Laboratorio Chile-Teva. Distribution combines direct B2B sales, channel/private labelling partnerships, and the direct-to-consumer brand Floradapt® (launched 2021), with regional offices in Newark (California) for North America via Kaneka Americas Holding, and Singapore for APAC. The company has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kaneka Corporation since the 2019 acquisition, providing access to global infrastructure, while maintaining founder-led R&D continuity and operating in 80+ markets. Recent operational moves include the 2022 absorption of subsidiary ALIFARM, S.A.U., the 2022 expansion into functional foods and pharmaceutical drug applications, and a 2025 product-launch cadence spanning cardiometabolic, pediatric, women's health, and postbiotic cosmetic categories.
AB-BIOTICS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AB-BIOTICS
- Legal name
- AB-BIOTICS, S.A.
- Website
- https://ab-biotics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AB-BIOTICS is a Barcelona-based probiotic biotech (wholly-owned by Kaneka Corporation since 2019) that develops clinically-validated, patent-protected probiotic strains and formulations across ten therapeutic areas, supplying B2B pharmaceutical, supplement, and functional-food customers in 80+ global markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AB-BIOTICS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Probiotic Ingredients and Formulations
- NAICS
- Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Probiotics (Human & Animal Strains, Spore-Formers, Synbiotic Bases) (AFAJAJAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Probiotics (Strains, Spore-Formers, Synbiotic Components) (AFAJAKAE), Cultures, Probiotics & Fermentation Ingredients (Starter Cultures, Yeast, Adjuncts) (CRADAOAI)
Keywords
Where AB-BIOTICS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barcelona
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
AB-BIOTICS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- B2B probiotic ingredients and formulations: Sale of probiotic strains, probiotic formulas, and market-ready probiotic products to business customers in the functional food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical industries. Revenue generated through supply of proprietary strains and blends to brand partners who commercialize finished products under their own labels or as co-branded offerings.
- Direct-to-consumer (Floradapt® brand): Direct-to-consumer probiotic brand launched in 2021, available in several markets, offering finished probiotic products to end consumers.
- Functional foods and pharmaceutical applications: Introduction of probiotic products for use in functional foods and drugs since 2022, expanding addressable market into pharmaceutical applications.
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
AB-BIOTICS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AB-BIOTICS is a science-led global probiotic manufacturer that researches, develops, protects, and distributes proprietary probiotic strains, scientifically-documented probiotic formulas, and market-ready probiotic products. Its offerings target 10 therapeutic areas (gastrointestinal, pediatric, oral, eye, immune, cardiometabolic, skin, women's, cognitive, and healthy ageing) and are sold primarily B2B to functional food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical companies, with complementary private-label and direct-to-consumer (Floradapt®) channels. The portfolio is backed by 500+ unique strains, 50+ clinical trials, and 200+ patents.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Probiotic strains
- Probiotic formulas Scientifically-documented, forward-looking multi-strain probiotic blends targeting specific therapeutic indications, supplied B2B to functional food, supplement, and pharmaceutical companies.
- Market-ready probiotic products Premium probiotic products and finished formulations adapted to partner markets, supplied to B2B customers and channel partners for commercialization under their own brands.
- Floradapt® direct-to-consumer brand Direct-to-consumer probiotic brand launched in 2021 in several markets, offering finished probiotic products to end consumers.
- i3.1® probiotic formulation
- AB-KOLICARE® (Bifidobacterium longum KABP042 + Pediococcus pentosaceus KABP041) Patented probiotic formula for pediatric gastrointestinal disorders including infant colic and functional constipation, with documented mechanism of action including intestinal epithelium adhesion, barrier protection, and pathogen inhibition.
- AB21® probiotic blend (L. plantarum KABP033, KABP022, KABP023 + P. acidilactici KABP021) Proprietary 4-strain probiotic blend for respiratory health and immune support, modulating adaptive immune response, gut barrier integrity, and inflammatory response; clinically shown to reduce fever duration and overall discomfort in children with upper respiratory infections.
- AB-LIFE® (L. plantarum KABP 011, 012, 013) Patented blend of L. plantarum strains for cardiometabolic and cholesterol management, with mechanism involving bile salt hydrolase activity, cholesterol reduction, and atheroprotective effects.
- Gyntima® women's health product line Trademarked women's health probiotic product family including Gyntima® Balance, Menopause, Cyscare, Iron, and Restore, targeting vaginal, urinary, and hormonal health; the Menopause variant is the only probiotic clinically shown to support estrogen balance.
- Mindbiome® (Lactobacillus plantarum DR7) Psychobiotic formulation for stress, anxiety, and cognitive function modulation through the gut-brain axis, with published clinical evidence.
- INNERIM® probiotic formulation Probiotic formulation targeted at adults aged 50+ for healthy ageing, clinically shown to improve bowel regularity and reduce stress scores.
- AB-SAKEI 65® (L. sakei KABP®-065) postbiotic Heat-treated postbiotic strain acting through the gut-immune-skin axis, offered in supplements and cosmetic formats for skin health, with stability advantages for product development.
Quantifiable outcome
- AB21® reduced fever duration by approximately 40% (1.1 days sooner) and overall discomfort by 0.7 days earlier in children with upper respiratory infections (75 children, 6 months to 5 years, randomized controlled trial)
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use AB-BIOTICS
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AB-BIOTICS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
AB-BIOTICS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Wonderlab (China)coreWonderlab, one of China's leading dietary supplement companies, launched Shape100™ at Vitafoods Europe May 2025 — a microbiota-targeted weight management solution developed using AB-LIFE. Wonderlab's marketing team presented the product live at the trade show with positive feedback from a key opinion leader.
- Menarini SpaincoreMenarini presented a new addition to their Kaleidon range — Kaleidon AB-Kolicare — focused on management of infantile colic, at the AEP Congress in Valencia, June 2025. The launch featured clinical materials, product sampling, and an expert-led symposium with approximately 200 healthcare professionals.
- STADA SpaincoreSTADA introduced Lactoflora Menopausia in Madrid, June 2025, in collaboration with the Spanish Menopause Society (AEEM). The session combined national epidemiological data presentation with expert talks on the estrobolome and hormonal balance during menopause. This formulation is the first probiotic clinically shown to support estrogen regulation via microbial β-glucuronidase activity.
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona-IDIBAPSminorAB-BIOTICS develops the BRAINMETS project — new biomarkers for early detection of brain metastasis in breast cancer — based on collaboration with researchers from Hospital Clínic de Barcelona-IDIBAPS. Funded by ACCIÓ (PAT15-1-0018).
- ALIFARM, S.A.U.coreAB-BIOTICS, S.A. (as absorbing company) completed a merger by absorption of its wholly-owned subsidiary ALIFARM, S.A.U. on 15 March 2022 (project date). The merger was conducted pursuant to Spanish Act 3/2009 on structural modifications of commercial companies, with effective dissolution of ALIFARM and transfer of all its assets and liabilities to AB-BIOTICS.
- Caixa AIDS Research InstituteminorAB-BIOTICS cooperates with the private foundation Caixa AIDS Research Institute on research and development of a new therapy for reconstruction of intestinal microbiome in HIV+ immunodiscordant patients. Funded by Ministry of Science, Research and Universities through RETOS program.
- Hospital Vall d'Hebron (Nutritional Therapies Project)minorAB-BIOTICS coordinates a project for development of combined nutritional therapies for treatment of ulcerative colitis by increasing microbiota biodiversity, in collaboration with Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and Fundación para Investigación Biomédica Hospital Gregorio Marañón. Funded by Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through Challenges in Collaboration Program.
- Fundación para la Promoción de la Salud y la Investigación Biomédica de la Comunidad ValencianaminorAB-BIOTICS cooperates with the foundation for development of Streptococcus dentisani as probiotic anti-caries agent in the DENTISANI Project, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the Challenges in Collaboration Program and co-financed by the European Union.
- ORYZON Genomics Diagnóstico SLminorAB-BIOTICS participates in eResponse project (TSI-100700-2014-4-10) — prediction software for response to pharmacological treatments for the eReport platform, jointly developed with ORYZON Genomics Diagnóstico SL. Co-financed by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism.
- BOSCH I GIMPERA FoundationminorAB-BIOTICS cooperates with the BOSCH I GIMPERA FOUNDATION on the APSIDE project — predictor for prevention of secondary effects induced by antipsychotics — funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the Challenges in Collaboration Program.
- Ascida Computational Biology Solutions S.L., StackOps Technologies S.L., PasswordBank Technologies S.L.minorAB-BIOTICS participates in InteliGEN Suite project (TSI-020605-2012-56) — development of a dynamic pharmacogenetic platform for depression — jointly with ASCIDEA COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY SOLUTIONS S.L., STACKOPS TECHNOLOGIES S.L., and PASSWORDBANK TECHNOLOGIES S.L. Co-financed by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AB-BIOTICS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Novonesis (formerly Chr. Hansen): Global leader in microbial and fermentation-based ingredients, including extensive probiotic and food cultures portfolios. Overlaps with AB-BIOTICS in probiotic supply to food, supplement and pharma customers but at far greater scale and breadth.
- dsm-firmenich: Global nutrition and health ingredients giant with a sizable probiotic and HMO portfolio post the DSM-Firmenich merger. Competes for the same B2B supplement and pharma customer budgets as AB-BIOTICS, with broader formulation capabilities.
- Yakult Honsha: Japanese pioneer of Lactobacillus strain-based functional dairy drinks with deep published science and global distribution. Comparable on strain-IP-plus-clinical-evidence model, though primarily branded finished product rather than B2B.
- Morinaga Milk Industry (Bifidobacterium): Japanese dairy and ingredient company with proprietary Bifidobacterium probiotic strains supplied to B2B partners globally. Comparable to AB-BIOTICS in strain-specific, science-backed B2B probiotic licensing.
- ADM (Protexin / Biopolis): Global nutrition and biosolutions company with a probiotic and microbiome platform via Protexin and acquired microbiome assets. Competes with AB-BIOTICS for B2B health-and-wellness customers across multiple categories.
- Kerry Group (incl. Ganeden): Global taste and nutrition ingredients group whose Ganeden probiotic business (BC30) supplies B2B customers in food, beverage and supplements. Overlap on probiotic ingredient supply at greater portfolio scale.
Direct peers
- Probi: Swedish probiotic B2B supplier (now owned by Symrise) selling clinically documented strains to consumer health and food customers. Direct overlap with AB-BIOTICS in strain IP, partner licensing, and indication-specific clinical evidence.
- BioGaia: Swedish B2B probiotic strain supplier with clinically validated Lactobacillus reuteri strains licensed to pharma and supplement brands globally. Closest analog by business model, science-led positioning, and partner licensing architecture.
- Lallemand Health Solutions: Canadian probiotic manufacturer offering documented strains and private-label solutions to supplement and pharma customers in Europe and globally. Comparable B2B ingredient model with multi-indication coverage.
- Winclove Probiotics: Dutch probiotic B2B manufacturer focused on clinically validated, indication-specific multi-strain formulations sold through partners. Closely comparable on formula-based, science-backed B2B model in Europe.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AB-BIOTICS social profiles
Digital presenceAB-BIOTICS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AB-BIOTICS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
AB-BIOTICS subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
AB-BIOTICS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AB-BIOTICS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AB-BIOTICS
What does AB-BIOTICS do?
AB-BIOTICS is a science-led global probiotic manufacturer that researches, develops, protects, and distributes proprietary probiotic strains, scientifically-documented probiotic formulas, and market-ready probiotic products. Its offerings target 10 therapeutic areas (gastrointestinal, pediatric, oral, eye, immune, cardiometabolic, skin, women's, cognitive, and healthy ageing) and are sold primarily B2B to functional food, dietary supplement, and pharmaceutical companies, with complementary private-label and direct-to-consumer (Floradapt®) channels. The portfolio is backed by 500+ unique strains, 50+ clinical trials, and 200+ patents.
Is AB-BIOTICS a public or private company?
AB-BIOTICS is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AB-BIOTICS founded?
AB-BIOTICS was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AB-BIOTICS based?
AB-BIOTICS is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does AB-BIOTICS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. B2B probiotic ingredients and formulations are the primary driver. The others are direct-to-consumer (Floradapt® brand) and functional foods and pharmaceutical applications.
Who are AB-BIOTICS's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Novonesis (formerly Chr. Hansen), dsm-firmenich, Yakult Honsha, Morinaga Milk Industry (Bifidobacterium), ADM (Protexin / Biopolis) and Kerry Group (incl. Ganeden). Direct peers are Probi, BioGaia, Lallemand Health Solutions and Winclove Probiotics.
Does AB-BIOTICS have an API?
No public API is recorded for AB-BIOTICS.
What industry is AB-BIOTICS in?
AB-BIOTICS's product category is Probiotic Ingredients and Formulations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJAJAE, Probiotics (Human & Animal Strains, Spore-Formers, Synbiotic Bases), with a secondary code of AFAJAKAE, Probiotics (Strains, Spore-Formers, Synbiotic Components). Its NAICS code is 325411 and its SIC code is 2833.