BioGaia AB launches BioGaia® Protectis® Plus – next‑generation patented probiotic drops
NewsMay 7, 2026
We are proud to launch BioGaia® Protectis® Plus, our next-generation patented probiotic baby drops. BioGaia® Protectis® Plus has additive probiotic effects and was developed to bring further digestive relief to babies and improve quality of life for families worldwide.
Across the globe one out of five families wake up every night to put their colicky baby to sleep, affecting the family’s quality of life. BioGaia launched the revolutionary and scientifically proven BioGaia® Protectis® baby drops in 2004, a product that offered and continues to offer relief to babies and their families by uniquely reducing crying time of babies with colic. The new BioGaia® Protectis® Plus is a dual-strain probiotic supplement for babies with colic and fussy tummies. It is the only baby probiotic formulated with the unique combination of BioGaia’s original Limosilactobacillus reuteri Protectis®, the world's most researched probiotic for colic that is backed by more than 30 years of probiotic research and trusted by generations of parents, and our new patented probiotic strain, L. reuteri BG-R46®.
The proprietary combination of these two L. reuteri strains (L. reuteri BG-R46® and L. reuteri Protectis®) in BioGaia® Protectis® Plus results in additive probiotic effects.
The L. reuteri BG-R46® strain has several enhanced probiotic features such as increased tolerance to bile, which allows the bacteria to thrive in the digestive tract, increased adenosine production which contributes to reduction of inflammation in the body, more potent immune modulation in a milk-rich environment which is common in babies, and increased induction of melatonin production by intestinal cells.
BioGaia® Protectis® Plus is evidence of BioGaia’s continued world leadership in probiotics by providing the following:
Improved key features of L. reuteri BG-R46®:
- Increased survival and activity in bile-rich environment (Ermann Lundberg et al 2025).
- Increased melatonin induction by intestinal cells in human gut organoids, influencing gut motility and possibly sleep (Forshee et al 2026, accepted for publication).
- Higher production levels of the anti-inflammatory compound adenosine (Pang et al 2022, Liu et al 2023).
- Better adaptation to the infant gut and more potent immune modulation in milk-rich environment (R.C. Daniel et al 2025).
- Improved membrane vesicle bioactivity such as protection of the intestinal epithelial barrier (Pang et al 2022).
The additive effects of this strain combination, observed pre–clinically, have also been positively studied and shown to be safe in a recent randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical study and a manuscript is currently being prepared for publication over the coming months.
BioGaia® Protectis® Plus will be launched in the United Kingdom as a first market with roll out in other countries in the future. The additive effects of this dual strain probiotic will help to relieve crying in infants and improve quality of life for families worldwide.
Gianfranco Grompone, Chief Scientific Officer at BioGaia, comments: “BioGaia® Protectis® Plus combines the world’s most researched probiotic for infant colic with the new patented L. reuteri BG-R46® strain specifically selected for its enhanced probiotic properties. The additive effects of this dual–strain formulation have been demonstrated pre–clinically and further supported by recent clinical investigations, with a scientific manuscript currently in preparation.”
Theresa Agnew, Chief Executive Officer and President at BioGaia, says: “Infant colic affects millions of families worldwide and has a real impact on everyday life. BioGaia has over 20 years experience in helping families who have infants with colic and with the launch of BioGaia® Protectis® Plus, we are taking an important next step. We are building on our longstanding expertise in probiotics and introducing a next–generation product designed to support digestive comfort in babies and improve quality of life for families.”
References:
Daniel, R.C., Okeugo, B., Armbrister, S.A. et al. Limosilactobacillus reuteri Strains Differentially Stimulate Immunity in Response to Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Newborn Mice. Probiotics & Antimicro. Prot. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-025-10849-z.
Forshee et al. 2026, accepted for publication
Liu, Yuying; Armbrister, Shabba A.; Okeugo, Beanna; Mills, Tingting W.; Daniel, Rhea C.; Oh, Jee-Hwan; van Pijkeren, Jan-Peter; Park, Evelyn S.; Saleh, Zeina M.; Lahiri, Sharmistha; Roos, Stefan; Rhoads, JMarc. Probiotic-Derived Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase Produces Anti-Inflammatory Adenosine Metabolites in Treg-Deficient Scurfy Mice. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2023 August ; 15(4): 1001–1013. doi:10.1007/s12602-023-10089-z.
Pang Y, Ermann Lundberg L, Mata Forsberg M, Ahl D, Bysell H, Pallin A, Sverremark-Ekström E, Karlsson R, Jonsson H, Roos S. Extracellular membrane vesicles from Limosilactobacillus reuteri strengthen the intestinal epithelial integrity, modulate cytokine responses and antagonize activation of TRPV1. Front Microbiol. 2022 Nov 17;13:1032202. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1032202. PMID: 36466671; PMCID: PMC9712456.
West CL, Stanisz AM, Mao YK, Champagne-Jorgensen K, Bienenstock J, Kunze WA. Microvesicles from Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM-17938) completely reproduce modulation of gut motility by bacteria in mice. PLoS One. 2020 Jan 7;15(1):e0225481. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225481. PMID: 31910436; PMCID: PMC6946587.
Wu RY, Pasyk M, Wang B, Forsythe P, Bienenstock J, Mao YK, Sharma P, Stanisz AM, Kunze WA. Spatiotemporal maps reveal regional differences in the effects on gut motility for Lactobacillus reuteri and rhamnosus strains. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2013 Mar;25(3):e205-14. doi: 10.1111/nmo.12072. Epub 2013 Jan 15. PMID: 23316914.
Ermann Lundberg L, Sendelius M, Linninge C, Pallin A, Liu P, Pallabi Mishra P, Grompone G, Roos S. Selection, characterisation and safety of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 32846, an evolved version of DSM 17938. Benef Microbes. 2025 Oct 7:1-18. doi: 10.1163/18762891-bja00101. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41067711.
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Contacts:
Gianfranco Grompone, Chief Scientific Officer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +46(0)8 555 293 00
Theresa Agnew, Chief Executive Officer and President at BioGaia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +46(0)8 555 293 00
About BioGaia
BioGaia is a Swedish probiotics company that has been at the forefront of microbiome research for more than 35 years. BioGaia develops, manufactures, markets, and sells probiotic products focused on gut health, immune health, and oral health. The products are sold through local distribution partners or via own distribution in over 100 markets. The class B share of the Parent Company BioGaia AB is quoted on the Mid Cap segment of Nasdaq Stockholm. biogaiagroup.com