Danone acquires Akkermansia Company investing in gut health

BELGIUM – Danone, a dairy manufacturer, has acquired the Akkermansia Company (TAC), a Belgian company with nearly 20 years of history and science, specializing in biotics.

This move underscores Danone’s commitment to science-driven nutrition and its ambition to lead in the development of clinically validated health solutions.

Founded by Professors Willem M. de Vos and Patrice D. Cani, TAC is renowned for its pioneering work on Akkermansia muciniphila MucT, a unique biotic strain discovered in 2004.

This strain has been clinically shown to reinforce the gut barrier, reduce inflammation, and help counteract metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

With broad patents and a growing presence in Europe, North America, and Asia, TAC has positioned itself as a global leader in microbiome innovation.

“We are very excited about becoming part of the Danone family. It provides us with the resources to accelerate global growth of the pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT strain and develop our brands faster,” said Michael Oredsson, CEO of TAC.

Professor Willem M. DeVos, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of The Akkermansia Company, expressed his confidence that the partnership with Danone would accelerate their mission to offer the metabolic health benefits of Akkermansia to billions of consumers worldwide.

Danone delivers anaemia screening tools to Bangkok

In 2024, Danone Specialized Nutrition (Thailand) delivered Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) screening tools to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), to advance in the city’s health initiatives. 

The partnership seeks to enhance early detection of IDA among children, a crucial step in preventing the long-term health impacts of this condition, which can affect brain development and overall growth.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 24.9% of Thai children aged 6 to 59 months suffer from anaemia. 

Recognizing the serious risks associated with IDA, Danone is committed to improving public health through early detection and intervention. 

The company has provided screening tools capable of testing 3,000 children, which is particularly relevant given the rise in Bangkok’s birthrate from 82,169 births in 2022 to 85,582 in 2023. 

“Danone has long been committed to raising awareness and expanding IDA screenings,” Danish Rahman, General Manager of Southeast Asia and ISEA Lead at Danone SEA said.

“Providing these non-invasive screening tools to BMA is a crucial step in ensuring that children receive timely screening and intervention, helping to prevent both short- and long-term effects of IDA.” 

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