bioMérieux Launches PCR Testing Solution for Probiotic Species Verification

CHICAGO — bioMérieux, a global biotechnology company in the field of in vitro diagnostics, announced the launch of GENE-UP PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID, a commercialized species-level identification PCR solution for in-house quality control teams and external laboratory partners. This new solution verifies dietary supplement label claims in 90 minutes or less, helping bypass the cost, complexity and delays of traditional workflows, bioMérieux said. 

The development of GENE-UP PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID was created in collaboration with NOW, a natural products manufacturer with more than 50 years of experience in the category.

"In the U.S., where the probiotics market continues to grow and consumer scrutiny continues to rise, GENE‑UP PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID gives manufacturers the confidence to stand behind their products and deliver precise species identification that supports label integrity and protects brand reputation" said Miguel Villa, senior vice president, industrial applications, North America, bioMérieux.

Demonstrating probiotic efficacy requires reliable species-level identification, yet many existing quality control approaches are costly, complex or slow — placing operational strain on quality teams and limiting routine testing, bioMérieux said. These pressures are driving demand for faster, more practical testing solutions that support quality, transparency and consistency without compromising scientific robustness, according to the company.

"Probiotic manufacturers are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape where ensuring reliable species verification is becoming essential, not only for quality control, but also for minimizing operational risk, supporting accurate label claims and maintaining market access in a highly competitive category," said Alejo Migones, senior vice president, global food safety & quality, bioMérieux. 

GENE-UP PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID helps quality control teams meet the demands of this evolving landscape with accurate identification of the 18 most commonly used probiotic species across capsules and powders, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis, in 90 minutes or less, bioMérieux said. 

"Waiting weeks for compendial-based species identification created bottlenecks across our operations, from delayed production release to increased holding costs and unnecessary product risk," said Maria Mendres, microbiology manager, NOW. "Our partnership with bioMérieux to develop GENE-UP PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID gives us, as well as the industry at large, the ability to generate accurate, on-site species-level results in 90 minutes or less. That speed and accessibility not only help us hit production targets and minimize waste but also strengthens our ability to consistently deliver validated label claims to protect the integrity of our brand."

In addition to manufacturers, GENE‑UP PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID is being adopted by third‑party reference laboratories seeking to broaden their probiotic testing capabilities, bioMérieux reported. The assays provide a rapid and standardized approach to species identification, serving as a complementary option to sequencing for routine testing and high‑throughput screening, according to the company. Designed for laboratory workflows, bioMérieux said the solution supports timely label verification, helps laboratories manage increasing sample volumes and allows sequencing resources to be reserved for more complex analytical needs.

This is the latest diagnostic innovation from bioMérieux's xPRO™ Program, which connects industry leaders with bioMérieux experts in an effort to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation molecular diagnostics that solve pressing quality and safety challenges, bioMérieux said. 

GENE-UP PROBIOTICS SPECIES ID is currently only available in the United States, ahead of an expanded global rollout. For more information, visit https://www.biomerieux.com/us/en/our-offer/industry-products/gene-up-probiotic-species-id.html.