Danisco has extended its licensing agreement with Fonterra Co-operative Group for two probiotic bacteria cultures. The agreement covers the production and marketing of the premium probiotic strains, HOWARU Bifido and Rhamnosus, with the new terms extending from five to 10 years. 

The agreement also expands territory and applications meaning global access for dairy products, liquid and powdered beverages, such as juices, waters and sports drinks, dietary supplements, meats, cheeses, cereals, confectionery and straws. In addition, there will no longer be restrictions on therapeutic fields, thus broadening the scope for the development of clinical studies and health claims.

Developing opportunities for HOWARU
Danisco first began licensing Fonterra-developed probiotics in 2001. Since then, Danisco has become a key player in driving probiotic market growth by providing clinically documented probiotics with digestive and immune health benefits and creating new-end applications. Today the universe of probiotic applications has developed beyond the traditional dairy base to many new segments including the successful and rapidly growing area of dietary supplements.

“Danisco is pleased with the new agreement,” says Scott Bush, vice president of marketing health and nutrition for Danisco. “The expanded terms mean Danisco can offer HOWARU Bifido and Rhamnosus, two of the most highly documented probiotic strains on the market, to customers anywhere in the world for a total range of applications and benefits.”

Great partnership
Nigel Little, Fonterra Ingredients’ manager of new options, said the agreement would see Fonterra continuing to work with Danisco to promote the benefits of the strains – developed at Fonterra’s research center in New Zealand – to customers and consumers.

“This expanded licensing agreement with Danisco is an example of Fonterra’s strategy to strengthen relationships with our partners and customers globally to drive value for their business and for our shareholders,” Little says. “The agreement highlights the importance of the research that has gone into developing these probiotic strains over the last 15 years and we’ll be working closely with Danisco to provide further clinical outcomes to reinforce their world leading efficacy.”



For more information please contact:
Sarah-Jane Jumppanen, BioActives
sarah.jane.jumppanen@danisco.com

Fonterra Communications
communications@fonterra.com

About Danisco
With a rich and innovative portfolio, Danisco is a world leader in food ingredients, enzymes and bio-based solutions. Using nature’s own materials, science and the knowledge of its 6,800 people, Danisco designs and delivers bio-based ingredients that meet market demand for healthier and safer products. Danisco’s ingredients are used globally in a wide range of industries - from bakery, dairy and beverages to animal feed, laundry detergents and bioethanol - offering functional, economic and environmental benefits. Danisco’s sales and production sites and innovation centers operate in more than 40 countries. Find out more at www.danisco.com

About Fonterra
Fonterra is a global leader in dairy nutrition – the preferred supplier of dairy ingredients to many of the world’s leading food companies. Fonterra also is a market leader with its own consumer dairy brands in Australia/New Zealand, Asia/Africa, Middle East and Latin America. The farmer-owned New Zealand co-operative is the largest processor of milk in the world, producing more than two million tons of dairy ingredients, value-added dairy ingredients, specialty ingredients and consumer products every year. Drawing on generations of dairy expertise, Fonterra is one of the largest investors in dairy-based research and innovation in the world. Its 16,000 staff work across the dairy spectrum from advising farmers on sustainable farming and milk production, to ensuring they live up to exacting quality standards and delivering its customer promise in more than 100 markets around the world.