Swedish Biotechnology research company Probi, which develops probiotics with well-documented beneficial health effects, recently signed a distribution agreement with USV India, a leading Indian pharmaceutical company. Under the agreement, USV will launch Vibact IBS, based on the probiotic formulation Probi Digestis, in India in the fourth quarter of 2012. The agreement further reinforces and strengthens Probi's presence in the growing India market.

Mr Michael Oredsson, CEO, Probi, and Mr R Sukumar, senior vice president, USV, talk to BioSpectrum about the plans for Vibact IBS in India.

Tell us about the product Vibact IBS that you are planning to launch in India.

Mr Oredsson: Vibact IBS is based on Probi's probiotic formula ProbiDigestis containing the clinically documented probiotic strain Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v. The product is based on more than 20 years of research by Swedish and international scientists and the product is currently sold in around 30 countries. In double blind, placebo controlled clinical trials, the ProbiDigestis formula has proven to have significant effect on IBS-related symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and gas formation. In most countries, 20 percent of the population or more suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and IBS-related symptoms, and there are very few effective products for IBS sufferers on the market.

What is the difference between the original Vibact and the new version (Vibact IBS), which is based on Probi Digestis?