ADM and Asahi Group Sign Exclusive Distribution Agreement for Innovative Postbiotic Designed to Support Stress, Mood and Sleep

CHICAGO – ADM (NYSE: ADM), a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, announced today its agreement with Asahi Group Foods Corporation, a leading food company headquartered in Japan, to exclusively market and distribute Asahi Group's proprietary lactic acid-based postbiotic, Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305. Backed by eight human clinical trials^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} and capable of targeting stress, mood, and sleep support, the introduction of the postbiotic to ADM's portfolio comes as products targeting mood/relaxation support grew at a double-digit CAGR of 13% from 2018-2023, with a category growth of nearly 34%⁹.

"Stress, mood and sleep are among the fastest-growing wellness segments, and – as the cornerstone to physical and emotional health – they are also some of the most disruptive factors to everyday life and overall well-being if not properly supported," said Mark Lotsch, ADM's President of Global Health & Wellness. "Our agreement with pioneering Asahi Group to bring science-backed L. gasseri CP2305 postbiotic into our robust health and wellness solutions library is a critical step in advancing new product development to support consumers’ quality of life around the world."

"The addition of L. gasseri CP2305 builds upon our postbiotics suite, reinforcing our leadership and dedication to delivering resilient ingredients with strong results for various areas of health and well-being," said Lotsch. "With these science-backed ingredients, we're looking forward to helping usher in what's next in functional foods to support the evolving wellness goals of consumers across regions."

L. gasseri CP2305 is owned by the Asahi Group and was discovered through many years of research on Calpis-derived lactic acid bacteria. The agreement enables Asahi Group to strengthen its business in the area of lactic acid bacteria materials and meet increasing demand for diverse functional food products through ADM's large global network and R&D centers. Asahi Group will continue to use the ingredient in supplements and beverages sold in Japan. Beginning in March, ADM will expand L. gasseri CP2305 distribution to food manufacturers in North America, Europe and Asia.

"Asahi is committed to solving global food and health challenges, especially those contributing to mental and physical well-being for consumers. We're excited to enter a supply agreement with ADM for Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305, leveraging their expertise in microbiology and global scale to effectively expand the reach of this innovative solution," said Kazuhiro Hayashi, Corporate Officer, Senior General Manager of Asahi Group Foods.

L. gasseri CP2305 offers a new avenue for innovation in the health and wellness space, addressing the rising need for stress management and sleep quality solutions. It is a postbiotic with clinically documented evidence showing support for physiological functions that the gut-brain axis can influence.

Results from eight gold-standard, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trials^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} suggest that supplementing one's diet with L. gasseri CP2305 may support emotional well-being and reduced stress, better sleep efficiency, reduced time to fall asleep/reduced sleep latency, healthier overall sleep quality, and improved total duration of sleep^1,2,3.

As a postbiotic, L. gasseri CP2305 can withstand numerous formulation environments, including tough conditions like high-heat or high-water content commonly associated with functional foods and on-trend dosage formats such as gummies.

In spring 2024, ADM published a study on probiotic Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (ES1)* and postbiotic Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (HT-ES1) in Gut Microbes, showing they may support overall gut and digestive health¹⁰. ADM also delivers unique support for aspects of metabolic health with BPL1™** (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145) probiotic and postbiotic¹¹.

Learn more about ADM’s microbiome capabilities here.

References

¹Nishida et al., 2017 Journal of Applied Microbiology 123:1561-1570 (2)

²Nishida et al., 2017 Journal of Functional Foods 36:112–121 (3)

³Nishida et al., 2019 Nutrients 11:1859 (4)

⁴Nishida et al., 2021 Journal of Functional Foods 80:104426

⁵Sawada et al., 2016 Food Research International 79:33-39

⁶Sawada et al., 2019 Journal of Functional Foods 57:465–476

⁷Sawada et al., 2022 Nutrients, 14:1695

⁸Sugawara et al., 2016 Microbial Ecol Health Dis.

⁹Euromonitor Retail Sales Data, Retail Value RSP, USD Million, Fixed 2023 Ex Rates, 2018-2023

¹⁰Srivastava, S., et al., 2024 Gut Microbes. 16(1):2338322

¹¹Pedret, A., et al., 2019 Int J Obes (Lond). 43(9):1863‐1868

*Bifidobacterium longum CECT7347 (ES1) is used by ADM Biopolis under license from CSIC.
**BPL1™ is a trademark registered for Biopolis S.L. in the EU and other countries.

This communication is intended for B2B use and no statements are meant to be perceived as approved by regulatory authorities. Local regulations must be reviewed to confirm permissibility of ingredients and claims for each food category.

About ADM
ADM unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. We’re an essential global agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. We’re a premier human and animal nutrition provider, offering one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of ingredients and solutions from nature. We’re a trailblazer in health and well-being, with an industry-leading range of products for consumers looking for new ways to live healthier lives. We’re a cutting-edge innovator, guiding the way to a future of new bio-based consumer and industrial solutions. And we're leading in business-driven sustainability efforts that support a strong agricultural sector, resilient supply chains, and a vast and growing bioeconomy. Around the globe, our expertise and innovation are meeting critical needs from harvest to home. Learn more at www.adm.com.

About Asahi Group Holdings
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. is a global leader offering a diverse collection of brands centered on beer, alcohol and non-alcohol beverages, and food. Our mission is to deliver on our great taste promise and bring more fun to life. Established in Japan in 1889, the Group has always been committed to innovation and quality. This dedication has brought together iconic brands and the expertise of renowned breweries from around the world, including those with a rich heritage spanning over centuries. Our approach has culminated in a globally recognized portfolio of brands that includes premium beers such as Asahi Super Dry, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Kozel, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch. “Make the world shine” articulates Asahi Group’s commitment to build connections among people, thereby paving the way for a sustainable future together. Through these connections, we can contribute to a brighter world, both today and in the future. With a global presence primarily in Japan, Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, we provide over 10 billion liters of beverages to consumers worldwide and generate revenues of over JPY 2.7 trillion annually. Learn more at www.asahigroup-holdings.com. 

 

ADM Media Relations
Jackie Anderson
media@adm.com 
312-634-8484