Cell Biotech to Lead Kimchi-Derived Probiotic Research Through Partnership with the World Institute of Kimchi

Cell Biotech, the company behind DUOLAC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Institute of Kimchi (WiKim) to jointly develop kimchi-derived probiotics with stress-relief functionality.

The signing ceremony, held on June 17 at the World Institute of Kimchi, was attended by Dr. Sanghyun Lim, Vice President of the R&D Center at Cell Biotech, and Dr. Hae-Choon Chang, President of the World Institute of Kimchi. Through this partnership, the two organizations will combine their research expertise and technological capabilities to identify functional probiotic ingredients for stress relief and accelerate the commercialization of next-generation K-probiotics with global competitiveness.

As part of the collaboration, the two organizations will jointly conduct a research project on stress-relieving probiotic strains. The project will include preclinical studies and human clinical trials to evaluate the stress-relief efficacy of selected probiotic strains. The research will utilize Lactobacillus plantarum CBT-LP3 (KCTC 10782BP), a kimchi-derived probiotic strain developed by Cell Biotech, and Lactococcus lactis WiKim0254, a kimchi-derived probiotic strain developed by the World Institute of Kimchi with demonstrated stress-relieving properties.

The organizations will also explore the application of Cell Biotech's globally patented Dual Coating technology to further enhance the survivability and competitiveness of the probiotic strains. Developed to minimize the loss of probiotics during digestion, the Dual Coating technology protects probiotics against harsh gastric acid and bile conditions, enabling them to survive and reach the intestine more effectively.

Beyond this joint research project, the MOU establishes a broader framework for collaboration, including joint R&D, academic information exchange, technical consulting, and researcher exchange programs. Cell Biotech has maintained the No. 1 position in probiotic exports for 12 consecutive years and exports K-probiotics to 55 countries, including Denmark, the birthplace of probiotics. The World Institute of Kimchi is Korea's only government-funded research institute dedicated exclusively to kimchi, leading research on kimchi-derived functional microorganisms while advancing the scientific understanding and global recognition of kimchi.

A Cell Biotech representative said, "This partnership marks an important first step toward scientifically validating the health benefits of kimchi-derived probiotics and developing them into functional ingredients for health functional foods. By combining the research capabilities of both organizations, we aim to develop scientifically validated kimchi-derived probiotics with stress-relief benefits and further strengthen the global competitiveness of K-probiotics through innovative functional ingredients and products."