What Gnosis by Lesaffre does

Gnosis by Lesaffre is a B2B biotechnology business unit of Lesaffre, a 170-year-old French fermentation conglomerate, headquartered in Marcq-en-Baroeul, France. The company produces branded active ingredients, probiotic and prebiotic yeasts, and nutritional yeasts for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and functional food and beverage manufacturers globally. Its core technology is precision fermentation and biotransformation using microorganisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bacteria) to manufacture high-purity bioactives, including Vitamin K2 as MK-7, active folate, S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), salidroside, non-animal chondroitin sulfate, and glutathione. Key branded SKUs include MenaQ7® (K2 MK-7, 22+ clinical studies, JAMA Cardiology-recognized), Quatrefolic® (4th-generation active folate), Adonat® (premium SAMe, cGMP Swiss production), LANDKIND® Pure Salidroside (precision-fermented, ≥98% pure), MyCondro™ (world's first fermentation-derived non-animal chondroitin), Lynside® (nutritional yeasts and S. boulardii probiotic), ibSium®, Quatreflora™, LifeinU® L. rhamnosus GG, Red Star®, Noochy Crisp™, and Emothion®.

The company sells exclusively to B2B customers (brand owners, R&D teams, and formulators in supplement, pharma, and functional F&B) through a direct enterprise sales motion supplemented by industry-event presence (Vitafoods Europe, Vitafoods Asia, SupplySide Global, Expo West), content marketing (themed magazines, whitepapers, webinars), and account management. Revenue derives from contracted ingredient supply with non-public pricing negotiated by volume and specification. Gnosis carries a broad certification footprint (European GMP, Informed Ingredient anti-doping, Kosher, Halal, Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-free, Lactose-free, self-affirmed GRAS, CITES-compliant for LANDKIND®), and is backed by long-term research partnerships (Sapienza University of Rome, University of Marche) and a new 2025 partnership with Conarium Bioworks on bio-melatonin.

Name

Gnosis by Lesaffre

Legal name

Gnosis by Lesaffre

Website

https://gnosisbylesaffre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Gnosis by Lesaffre is the biotech business unit of French fermentation group Lesaffre, producing branded active ingredients (MenaQ7® K2, Quatrefolic®, Adonat® SAMe, LANDKIND® salidroside, MyCondro™), probiotic and prebiotic yeasts, and nutritional yeasts via precision fermentation for B2B nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and functional food manufacturers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nutraceutical & Functional Food Ingredients

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultures, Probiotics & Fermentation Ingredients (Starter Cultures, Yeast, Adjuncts) (CRADAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Probiotics (Strains, Spore-Formers, Synbiotic Components) (AFAJAKAE), Prebiotics & Dietary Fibers (Inulin, FOS/GOS, Resistant Starch, Beta-Glucan, Psyllium) (AFAJAKAF), Probiotics (Human & Animal Strains, Spore-Formers, Synbiotic Bases) (AFAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Fermented active ingredients
• Nutraceutical ingredients
• Probiotic yeasts
• Nutritional yeasts
• Precision fermentation

Headquarters

HQ city

Marcq-en-baroeul

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Branded Active Ingredient Sales: Gnosis by Lesaffre generates revenue through the sale of branded specialty ingredients to nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and functional food and beverage manufacturers. Key branded ingredients include MenaQ7® (Vitamin K2), Quatrefolic® (folate), Adonat® Premium SAMe, LANDKIND® Pure Salidroside, Lynside® nutritional and probiotic yeasts, and MyCondro™. Revenue is derived from ingredient supply contracts with B2B customers in the supplements and functional food industries.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gnosis by Lesaffre produces and sells branded specialty active ingredients, probiotic and prebiotic yeasts/bacteria, and nutritional yeasts to nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and functional food and beverage manufacturers. Its portfolio is built on precision fermentation and biotransformation technologies inherited from the Lesaffre group, covering Vitamin K2 (MenaQ7), folate (Quatrefolic), SAMe (Adonat), salidroside (LANDKIND), fermentation-derived chondroitin sulfate (MyCondro), and clinically documented probiotic strains.

Product overview

Gnosis by Lesaffre is a business unit of Lesaffre specializing in biotech-derived active ingredients, probiotic and prebiotic biotics, and nutritional yeasts for the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and functional food & beverage industries. The portfolio is organized into three product categories: (1) Active Ingredients — branded ingredients including MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7, Quatrefolic® folate, LANDKIND® Pure Salidroside, MyCondro™ fermentation-derived chondroitin sulfate, Adonat® Premium SAMe, Emothion® glutathione, and Extrafolate-S®; (2) Biotics — probiotic and prebiotic solutions including Lynside® S. boulardii, ibSium®, Quatreflora™, LifeinU® L. rhamnosus GG, and Lynside® Prebiotic Yeast; and (3) Nutritional Yeasts — including the Lynside® range (fortified with B-vitamins, zinc, selenium), Red Star® (100+ year brand), and the innovative Noochy Crisp™ (first extruded crispy nutritional yeast). Products are backed by clinical research, precision fermentation expertise, and European GMP quality standards, serving markets spanning bone/joint health, cardiovascular health, cognitive/mood health, gut/microbiome health, reproduction/women's health, sports nutrition, and general wellness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MenaQ7®: The only clinically proven Vitamin K2 as MK-7 for bone and heart health, with over 22+ clinical studies. Now recognized by JAMA Cardiology.
• Quatrefolic®
• Adonat®
• Noochy Crisp™
• LANDKIND® Pure Salidroside
• Lynside®
• Quatreflora™
• ibSium®
• LifeinU® L.rhamnosus GG
• Lynside® S.boulardii
• Red Star®

Products and services

• MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 Naturally fermented Vitamin K2 as MK-7 ingredient, the most clinically proven K2 brand with over 22 human clinical studies supporting bone and cardiovascular health; produced in European GMP-certified facilities for nutraceutical and functional food manufacturers.
• Quatrefolic® Active Folate 4th-generation active folate ingredient (calcium salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate) with superior bioavailability compared to folic acid, used in dietary supplements, food and beverage applications for cardiovascular, fertility, pregnancy, menopause, mood, and skin health.
• LANDKIND® Pure Salidroside Precision-fermented salidroside ingredient at ≥98% purity delivering the bioactive of Rhodiola rosea through fermentation, supporting sustained energy, endurance, oxygen uptake, muscle function, and mood/stress response for sports nutrition and adaptogenic formulations.
• Adonat® Premium SAMe

Quantifiable outcome

• MenaQ7® supplementation produced nearly one-third less progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a 2-year VitaK-CAC clinical trial published in JAMA Cardiology
• +4 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conarium BioworkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025Conarium Bioworks partnered with Gnosis by Lesaffre to produce bio-melatonin at scale using precision fermentation technology. The collaboration aims to create a natural, sustainable alternative to synthetic melatonin for use in various health and wellness products, with the first full-scale commercial batch expected soon. This partnership leverages Gnosis's fermentation expertise and Conarium's precision fermentation capabilities to address growing demand for sustainable melatonin ingredients.
• Prof. Andrea Fuso (Sapienza University of Rome)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Andrea Fuso, Associate Professor in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Sapienza University of Rome, has been a research partner with Gnosis by Lesaffre for over 20 years. His research focuses on epigenetics, one-carbon metabolism, and methylation reactions in relation to gene expression and Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Fuso's work supports Adonat® Premium SAMe's positioning in cognitive health and longevity, and he presented at the 2nd Epigenetics Society International Conference in Chicago in 2025, which Gnosis sponsored.
• University of Marche (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Marche in Italy collaborated with Gnosis by Lesaffre on a study demonstrating how Quatrefolic®, the active form of folate, supports skin repair and shields against sun damage. This research contributes to Quatrefolic®'s positioning in the nutricosmetics and beauty-from-within market segment.
• PhynovaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeople Science partnered with Phynova to launch Chloe LiveLab for research in the supplement industry. Gnosis by Lesaffre is mentioned alongside Phynova in a supplement industry roundup, suggesting potential research or market development collaboration in the nutraceutical space.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BioGaia: Swedish probiotic company built around clinically documented Lactobacillus reuteri strains sold as branded ingredients and finished consumer products to the global supplement and infant nutrition markets. Direct comparable on probiotic-strain branding, clinical-study-led marketing, and B2B/B2B2C model.
• Probi AB: Swedish probiotic ingredient supplier with proprietary Lactobacillus plantarum strains sold under long-term license and supply agreements to global nutraceutical and dairy customers. Direct comparable on clinically documented probiotic strains sold B2B into supplements and functional foods.
• Lallemand: Canadian-headquartered global yeast and fermentation specialist with a Human Nutrition & Health division supplying probiotic yeasts (S. boulardii), nutritional yeasts, and branded bioactives to nutraceutical and functional food customers. Closest direct comparable to Gnosis on fermentation platform, yeast-based probiotics, and B2B ingredient business model.
• Novonesis: Formed from the 2024 merger of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen, Novonesis is a global biosolutions company with leading positions in microbial cultures, dairy probiotics, and human health bioactives. Direct comparable on fermentation-derived probiotic strains and cultures marketed to nutraceutical and functional food brand owners.

Broad incumbents

• Kerry Group: Irish taste and nutrition group whose Health & Nutrition division (including the GanedenBC30 probiotic franchise and Bio-Kult brand) supplies branded ingredients and premixes to functional food and supplement customers. Broader incumbent with overlapping probiotic, enzyme, and nutritional ingredient offerings.
• ADM (Health & Wellness): Global agricultural processor and ingredient supplier whose Health & Wellness segment sells branded probiotics (post Biopolis and Acheres acquisitions), flavors, and nutraceutical ingredients to food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers. Significantly larger scale and broader portfolio than Gnosis but competes directly on branded probiotic and fermentation-derived ingredients.
• IFF Health & Biosciences: IFF's Health & Biosciences division (formerly DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences) supplies probiotics, enzymes, cultures, and fermentation-derived ingredients to dietary supplement, food, and beverage manufacturers. Direct overlap on cultures, probiotics, and fermentation-derived nutraceutical actives at much greater scale and with deeper R&D resources.
• DSM-Firmenich: Dutch-Swiss nutrition and ingredients giant combining DSM's vitamins, nutraceutical APIs, and premixes with Firmenich's flavors and fragrances. Competes with Gnosis in branded nutraceutical actives (vitamins, omega-3, HMOs, microbiome solutions) but at substantially larger scale and across a much broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• AB Biotics (ADM): Spanish probiotic strain supplier acquired by ADM in 2022, focused on proprietary Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains for women's health, mental health, and metabolic indications. Emerging player comparable to Gnosis on clinically documented probiotic strains sold to nutraceutical brands, but more narrowly focused on the probiotic sub-segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gnosislesaffre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GnosisbyLesaffre
• Facebookfacebook.com/gnosis.lesaffre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gnosis-by-lesaffre

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gnosis by Lesaffre