ProbioFerm
ProbioFerm is a US-based probiotic CDMO offering scalable contract fermentation (250L to 5,000L), full-service contract manufacturing, and R&D with whole genome sequencing for human supplement, companion animal, and agricultural brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersDes Moines, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ProbioFerm does
ProbioFerm is a US contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in probiotic fermentation and finished product manufacturing, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa. The company's core technical platform centers on controlled fermentation of lactic acid-producing bacteria — particularly strains historically classified within Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium — with vessel capacities ranging from 250L pilot to 5,000L commercial scale. The process stack is supported by in-house whole genome sequencing (WGS), metabolic assays, flow cytometry, stability studies, and bioinformatics reporting that together enable strain identification, performance profiling, and confidential strain protection for customers. Operations span cGMP, SafeFeed/SafeFood, FDA 21 CFR 111, and FDA 21 CFR 117 certified environments with allergen-free production lines across more than 65,000 sq. ft. of facilities, including dedicated fermentation, spray drying, freeze drying, finished goods packaging, and warehouse space.
ProbioFerm firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ProbioFerm
- Legal name
- ProbioFerm
- Website
- https://probioferm.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ProbioFerm is a US-based probiotic CDMO offering scalable contract fermentation (250L to 5,000L), full-service contract manufacturing, and R&D with whole genome sequencing for human supplement, companion animal, and agricultural brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ProbioFerm industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Probiotic Contract Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Probiotics (Human & Animal Strains, Spore-Formers, Synbiotic Bases) (AFAJAJAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Probiotics (Strains, Spore-Formers, Synbiotic Components) (AFAJAKAE), Probiotic/Direct-Fed Microbial (DFM) Premixes (AFADAGAG), Cultures, Probiotics & Fermentation Ingredients (Starter Cultures, Yeast, Adjuncts) (CRADAOAI)
Keywords
Where ProbioFerm is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Des Moines
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
ProbioFerm business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contract Fermentation Services: Scalable fermentation services for probiotic lactic acid-producing bacteria from pilot (250L) to commercial scale (5000L). Revenue generated through project-based contracts for fermentation services including inoculation, downstream processing, and final product delivery.
- Contract Manufacturing Services: Full-service probiotic manufacturing from formulation to packaging. Includes custom blending, encapsulation, and private-label solutions. Revenue from manufacturing fees for production runs under cGMP and SafeFeed/SafeFood certification.
- Bulk Probiotic Product Sales: Direct sales of bulk probiotic products through dedicated e-commerce site (probiotics-bulk.com) for wholesale pricing. Targets manufacturers, distributors, and brands seeking large-scale probiotic solutions.
- R&D and Strain Development Services: In-house research and development services including whole genome sequencing, metabolic assays, stability studies, and bioinformatics reporting for strain development and optimization.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
ProbioFerm product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ProbioFerm is a U.S.-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that produces probiotic lactic acid-producing bacteria for supplement, animal, and agricultural customers. It offers scalable contract fermentation (250L to 5,000L vessels), full-service contract manufacturing from custom blending through private-label packaging, in-house R&D including whole genome sequencing and stability studies, and direct bulk probiotic product sales through a dedicated wholesale e-commerce site. All production occurs in cGMP, SafeFeed/SafeFood, and FDA 21 CFR 111 & 117 compliant facilities totaling more than 65,000 sq. ft.
Product overview
ProbioFerm operates as a contract manufacturing and fermentation services provider for the probiotic industry, offering an integrated platform spanning fermentation, contract manufacturing, and R&D services. The core offerings include Contract Fermentation Services (scalable production from 250L to 5,000L vessels), Contract Manufacturing (formulation, blending, encapsulation, and packaging), and Research & Development (whole genome sequencing, metabolic assays, and stability studies). These services are complemented by a Bulk Probiotic Solutions platform for wholesale purchasing. The company serves three primary market segments: human health supplements, companion animal products, and agricultural/livestock applications, with a focus on lactic acid-producing bacteria strains.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Contract Fermentation Services Scalable, controlled fermentation services for probiotic lactic acid-producing bacteria from pilot (250L) to commercial (5,000L) scale, with cGMP compliance, allergen-free media options, and optimized drying methods to maximize CFU counts and stability. Built for brands, manufacturers, and developers needing flexible batch sizes without compromising quality or timelines.
- Contract Manufacturing Full-service probiotic manufacturing encompassing custom blending, encapsulation, labeling, and packaging across multiple formats including bottled capsules, sachets, stick-packs, and dial-a-dose tubes, with private-label solutions. Operates under cGMP and SafeFeed/SafeFood certification at every stage for supplement, companion animal, and agricultural customers.
- Research & Development Services In-house R&D services spanning strain screening and optimization, including whole genome sequencing, metabolic assays, flow cytometry, stability studies across time/temperature/formulation conditions, bioinformatics reporting, and benchtop fermentation systems that transition smoothly into pilot and commercial production. Supports customer-led strain development and collaborative research projects.
- Bulk Probiotic Solutions Direct bulk purchasing platform for wholesale probiotics with competitive pricing, large-scale production quantities, custom packaging options, and fast turnaround. Targets manufacturers, distributors, and brands seeking to scale operations with high-quality probiotic supply.
Quantifiable outcome
- Trillion+ CFU shipped monthly
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use ProbioFerm
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ProbioFerm technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
ProbioFerm partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ProbioFerm competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BioGaia: Swedish probiotic R&D and B2B company supplying clinically documented probiotic strains across human and animal health — directly comparable in strain development and B2B sales motion.
- AB Biotics: Specialty probiotic strain developer and manufacturer serving supplement and clinical nutrition brands — directly comparable in B2B probiotic strain commercialization.
- Lallemand Health Solutions: Major global probiotic strain and supplement manufacturer offering contract and branded probiotic production for human health markets — directly comparable in product category and B2B CDMO motion.
- BIO-CAT: US-based contract probiotic and enzyme manufacturer offering custom fermentation and blending services — the closest pure-play CDMO comparable in size, geography, and service offering.
- Probi AB: Swedish probiotic ingredient company developing and licensing proprietary strains for B2B partners — comparable in strain-focused, B2B-driven commercial model.
Broad incumbents
- Novonesis (formerly Chr. Hansen): Global cultures and enzymes leader producing probiotic strains for supplements, dairy, and animal health. A scaled incumbent operating in the same probiotic cultures space across multiple end markets.
- Kerry Group: Global taste and nutrition platform with probiotics and postbiotics offerings (including GanedenBC30) — overlaps with ProbioFerm's supplement and fermented-ingredient customer base.
- Sabinsa: Vertically integrated ingredient manufacturer offering branded probiotics (Lactospore) plus contract fermentation services — overlaps with ProbioFerm's CDMO and branded-strain positions.
- IFF Health & Biosciences (formerly DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences): Large ingredient platform with a deep probiotic strain portfolio (HOWARU, FloraFit) and global manufacturing — competes for the same brand customers as ProbioFerm at higher scale.
- ADM Probiotics (formerly UAS Labs / Protexin): Major agricultural and nutrition platform with branded and contract probiotic manufacturing capabilities for human and animal health — competes in the same end markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ProbioFerm social profiles
Digital presenceProbioFerm compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
ProbioFerm financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ProbioFerm leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ProbioFerm funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ProbioFerm 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 ProbioFerm
What does ProbioFerm do?
ProbioFerm is a U.S.-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that produces probiotic lactic acid-producing bacteria for supplement, animal, and agricultural customers. It offers scalable contract fermentation (250L to 5,000L vessels), full-service contract manufacturing from custom blending through private-label packaging, in-house R&D including whole genome sequencing and stability studies, and direct bulk probiotic product sales through a dedicated wholesale e-commerce site. All production occurs in cGMP, SafeFeed/SafeFood, and FDA 21 CFR 111 & 117 compliant facilities totaling more than 65,000 sq. ft.
Is ProbioFerm a public or private company?
ProbioFerm is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ProbioFerm founded?
ProbioFerm was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ProbioFerm based?
ProbioFerm is headquartered in Des Moines, United States, in the North America region.
How does ProbioFerm make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Contract Fermentation Services are the primary driver. The others are contract Manufacturing Services, bulk Probiotic Product Sales and R&D and Strain Development Services.
Who are ProbioFerm's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BioGaia, AB Biotics, Lallemand Health Solutions, BIO-CAT and Probi AB. Broad incumbents are Novonesis (formerly Chr. Hansen), Kerry Group, Sabinsa, IFF Health & Biosciences (formerly DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences) and ADM Probiotics (formerly UAS Labs / Protexin).
Does ProbioFerm have an API?
No public API is recorded for ProbioFerm.
What industry is ProbioFerm in?
ProbioFerm's product category is Probiotic Contract Manufacturing. 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 311.