SCA and BioGaia have signed a longterm partnership agreement to develop new products in the future with a focus on health.
SCA is a leader in incontinence protection and elderly care. BioGaia’s main focus is digestive and oral health, and the company continues to develop in other health fields.
“We’re not there yet, but together we’re looking for new ways to combine our core areas,” says Rolf Andersson, senior hygiene adviser at SCA.
The microflora in the digestive tract changes as a person ages, which can lead to diarrhea and/or constipation, which is common among older people. By adding probiotic stomach bacteria, the microflora can be restored, thus improving the well-being and quality of life of such people.
“We are building a great deal here on BioGaia’s experience with probiotic bacteria while at the same time maintaining great focus on the needs of older people,” Andersson notes.
Another area where a partnership could be rewarding is urinary tract infections (UTI). The risk of being affecte increases as a person gets older, especially for women who are urineincontinent.
Production of beneficial lactic acid bacteria declines after menopause, and as a result many women lose natural protection in their urinary tract. So some bacteria have an easier time becoming established in the area, causing UTI.
“One way to prevent the development of UTI could be to add probiotic lactic acid bacteria and thus restore the microbiological balance. The partnership is very exciting, and we see unlimited opportunities in product development,” Andersson says.
