Our heritage
Biocodex is a family-owned company founded 70 years ago to market the world’s first probiotic yeast strain, Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745®. Biocodex has since expanded its expertise in gut microbiota, evolving from French pioneer to an international player in the microbiota realm.
Today, Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745® is available in 95 countries and is the first probiotic drug worldwide
(*Source: IQVA in volume 2023).
Biocodex’s history
The history of Biocodex started in the 1920’s with the discovery of the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii in Indochina by Henri Boulard, a French biologist. At that time, cholera epidemics were common in Asia. Henri Boulard took a strong interest in tropical diseases.
The agronomist observed that to treat the infectious diarrhea caused by cholera, Indochinese people consumed a drink based on lychees and mangosteens. Henri Boulard decided to study in detail the composition of the lychee and mangosteen skins. He then identified a specific yeast from the Saccharomyces family, the unique Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745® strain Biocodex produces today.
Henri Boulard at the roots of probiotics
This docufiction film takes us back to the early 20th century, when agronomist Henri Boulard discovered a passion for plants and yeast, the living microorganisms capable of provoking fermentation. The film traces Boulard’s journey in Indochina, leading to his discovery of the world’s first probiotic yeast strain for human medicine.
Biocodex’s unique strain
In 1953, Biocodex acquired the rights to Henri Boulard’s yeast strain and fermentation process, and in 1961, the company registered lyophilized Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745® as a drug. This unique strain was deposited at the Institut Pasteur (Paris) in 1989.
- More than 100 scientific studies have proven the efficacy of our unique strain
- Recommended by doctors 460 MILLION people have been treated with Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745® since its launch on the market
In addition to gastroenterology, Biocodex has developed scientific expertise in other therapeutic areas such as pain, neurology, general medicine and orphan diseases. Biocodex focus on three areas of expertise: microbiota care, women’s health and orphan diseases.
*Source: IQVIA, 2023 (based on sales volume).
