bioMérieux Launches PCR Testing Solution to Verify Probiotic Species in Dietary Supplements Manufacturing
By the bioMérieux Editors | Reading time: 2 min
GENE-UP® PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID, developed in collaboration with scientists at NOW®, enables routine probiotic species verification in 90 minutes or less
With GENE-UP® PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID, bioMérieux introduces a first-of-its-kind commercialized species-level identification PCR1 solution for in-house quality control teams and external laboratory partners. This new solution verifies dietary supplement label claims in 90 minutes or less2, helping bypass the cost, complexity, and delays of traditional workflows. The solution is currently available in the United States. For availability in other countries, customers are invited to contact their local bioMérieux representative.
The development of GENE-UP® PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID was created in collaboration with NOW®, a natural products leader with more than 50 years of experience in the category and a well-established reputation for product testing excellence. Previously reliant on third-party reference laboratories for multi-strain species identification on mixed formulation, NOW® partnered with bioMérieux to develop a faster, more capable verification solution that reflects a shared commitment to scientific rigor, operational efficiency, and consumer trust.
“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. These pressures are driving demand for faster, more practical testing solutions that support quality, transparency, and consistency without compromising scientific robustness.
"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.” explained 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 capsule and powder formats, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium lactis, in 90 minutes or less.
A partnership with a key customer
“Waiting weeks for compendial-based species identification created bottlenecks across our operations, from delayed production release to increased holding costs and unnecessary product risk. 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 less than 90 minutes. That speed and accessibility not only help us hit production targets and minimize waste but also strengthen 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. 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. Designed for laboratory workflows, 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, empowering industry leaders to partner directly with bioMérieux experts to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation molecular diagnostics that solve pressing quality and safety challenges.
In addition to species identification with GENE-UP® PROBIOTIC SPECIES ID, bioMérieux provides game-changing diagnostics solutions (for detection, enumeration and environmental monitoring) that help dietary supplement manufacturers meet their microbial quality testing challenges, while improving overall operations efficiency and complying with regulations.
The solution is currently available in the United States. For availability in other countries, customers are invited to contact their local bioMérieux representative.
For more information, please visit https://www.biomerieux.com/corp/en/our-offer/industry-products/gene-up-probiotic-species-id or www.nowfoods.com.
1) Polymerase Chain Reaction
2) Workflow time may vary based on test volume and operational condition
