BioGaia signs exclusive dealership agreement with Nippon Access

BioGaia has signed an exclusive dealership agreement with Japan's food and supplement wholesaler Nippon Access, a subsidiary of Japan's fifth largest trading company, Itochu Corporation.

Access will distribute BioGaia's existing branded products, except for the chewable tablet, in Japan and will develop and launch BioGaia branded products for dairy, functional food, beverages, infant formula, baby food and food for elderly in collaboration with BioGaia Japan.

Itochu and Access are focusing on the preventive health care business by building a supply chain in collaboration with ‘convenience store’ chains, daycare centers and hospitals.

BioGaia products will be flagship products in this business strategy.

"Since BioGaia Japan was founded in 2006, we have focused on finding the best partner to build our own brand in this big and competitive market,” says Keitaro Nomura, president, BioGaia Japan.

“Our top priority has been to create a sustainable business in Japan with our own brand sold directly to the trade and not through license agreements.”

“We finally entered into this agreement with the company we judge to be the best partner in Japan, who has sufficient business resources for marketing and distribution."