Swedish probiotics company BioGaia‘s has established a separate entity, BioGaia Invest (BGI), with the aim of developing an innovative life science company. BGI has made two initial investments in cutting-edge companies in their respective fields, Boneprox and Skinome.

WHO: BioGaia is a Swedish probiotic company that has been at the forefront of microbiome research for more than 30 years. BioGaia develops, markets,, and sells probiotic products with documented health benefits. The distribution partners are nutrition and pharmaceutical companies, selling BioGaia’s products in more than 100 countries.

WHY: The focus of BGI will be to identify and invest in smaller companies focusing on ground-breaking technologies, services, and products that will support the growth of BioGaia.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “We strongly believe that BioGaia will benefit from the dynamic environment as well as the expertise in new technologies and innovations that these companies will bring” says Isabelle Ducellier, CEO of BioGaia AB.

“It is exciting to invest even more in research and innovation in partnership with BioGaia and start developing probiotic skin care together,” says Lydia Engholm, CEO of Skinome Project.

“This investment will help us to reach new markets as well as enlighten people around the world about osteoporosis and what measures can be implemented to prevent fractures from happening,” explains Peder Remman, Boneprox CEO and co-founder.

DETAILS:

• BioGaia has equipped a new subsidiary coined BioGaia Invest (BGI) with a total of SEK150 million ($17.6 million)
• BGI will enable investments between SEK5 million ($588,000) to SEK15 million ($1.7 million) in “exciting new companies” with ground-breaking diagnostics, delivery technologies services, and products.
• Sebastian Schröder, BioGaia’s EVP Business Development, has been appointed Managing Director of BGI.
• BGI has so far made two initial investments in cutting-edge companies in their respective fields, Boneprox and Skinome.
• BGI has invested approximately SEK 10.5 ($1.2 million) in Boneprox in a directed issue in which the former owner, private equity company Backing Minds, also participates.
• BGI has invested approximately SEK 11.5 million ($1.3 million) in Skinome in an issue in which the private equity company Spotchain and existing shareholders also participate.