Biome Signs Australian Manufacturing Agreement
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT
03 June 2026
Biome signs Australian manufacturing agreement to bring Activated
Probiotics production onshore
Highlights
● Biome Australia (ASX: BIO) has signed a commercial manufacturing
agreement with Specialty Probiotics Australia (SPA) to bring production
of its Activated Probiotics range onshore.
● The agreement is binding and does not require Biome to make any
upfront capital investment.
● Biome's strong gross margin of approximately 61% is expected to
progressively increase to 65%+ as a result of onshore production over
the next 18 months, commencing from the first commercial batch.
● A meaningful working capital benefit is expected through lower
inventory days, faster stock turn and the elimination of extended
international sea freight.
● The first commercial batch is targeted for September 2026, with the full
range to progressively transition over approximately 18 months, subject
to commercial scale-up.
● Australian-made production adds a point of difference across global
markets and furthers Biome's positive impact as a certified B
Corporation.
● Biome will retain its European supply partnerships to service EU
markets, providing supply chain diversification and de-risking.
● The agreement forms phase one of Biome's Vision 27 strategy to take
greater control of its supply chain.
Biome Australia (ASX: BIO) is pleased to announce it has entered into a
commercial manufacturing agreement with Specialty Probiotics Australia
(SPA), an Australian GMP-licensed manufacturer specialising in probiotic
production. The partnership will see Biome progressively transition
manufacturing of its Activated Probiotics® range to Australia, adding a locally
made, competitive advantage to its product range as it continues to scale
internationally. A summary of the key terms of the agreement is set out in
Appendix A to this announcement.
SPA is led by Craig Silbery, co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of
Life Space. Mr Silbery brings significant expertise in probiotic manufacturing
and commercialisation, and SPA and Biome will work closely together to
support Biome's ongoing growth across its domestic and international
markets.
Commenting on the partnership, Specialty Probiotics Australia Chief
Executive Officer, Craig Silbery, said:
"We are excited to be working with Biome and to support them strategically
as they scale, by removing barriers in production and the supply chain and by
supporting new opportunities in product development. Biome and its
Activated Probiotics brand are among the most exciting, high-growth brands
in the Australian market, and increasingly in global markets, and we look
forward to the journey ahead together."
Working capital and margin benefits
The transition to onshore manufacturing is expected to deliver meaningful
improvements to Biome's working capital position. Producing in Australia in
smaller, more frequent batches is expected to reduce inventory holdings,
improve stock turn and remove the extended international freight lead times
currently associated with each batch. This is expected to reduce capital tied
up in inventory and in-transit stock, while also improving the usable shelf life
of finished product before it reaches customers.
Onshore manufacturing is also expected to progressively lift Biome's gross
margin from the first commercial batch, with the financial impact
summarised by the CFO below. Importantly, the agreement requires no
capital expenditure from Biome.
Commenting on the financial benefits, Biome Australia Chief Financial
Officer, Lauren Dwyer, said:
"Our current gross margin of approximately 61% is already strong and has
been delivered without a single retail price rise since we launched Activated
Probiotics in 2019. From a financial perspective, we believe this partnership
will progressively lift our gross margin to 65%+ over the next 18 months as the
range transitions to Australian production. This will be achieved while
reducing the working capital tied up in larger inventory orders as well as
inventory in transit, and importantly without any capital expenditure from
Biome, allowing us to capture these benefits while maintaining a disciplined
approach to the balance sheet."
Australian made and positive impact
Australian-made production is expected to provide Biome with a meaningful
point of difference across key export markets, particularly with consumers and
practitioners who value product origin and quality manufacturing standards.
The transition also reduces the international freight footprint associated with
Biome's supply chain, supporting Biome's commitments as a certified B
Corporation.
Supply chain diversification
Biome will maintain its supply relationships with its European manufacturing
partners to continue servicing its European markets. Retaining this capability
alongside new Australian production further de-risks Biome's supply chain
and provides the Company with greater optionality and flexibility as it scales.
Timing
The first commercial batch is targeted for September 2026, with the balance
of the range targeted to progressively move onshore over approximately the
following 18 months, subject to successful commercial scale-up and transition
of production.
Commenting on the agreement, Biome Australia Founder and Chief
Executive Officer, Blair Vega Norfolk, said:
"This move has been under consideration for more than two years and
represents phase one of Biome's journey to take greater control of its supply
chain, manufacturing inputs and product intellectual property. As one of the
cornerstones of our Vision 27 strategic plan, we are pleased to begin
onshoring with SPA while continuing to assess further manufacturing
opportunities over time."
– ENDS –
Approved for release by the Biome Australia board of directors.
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About Biome Australia Limited
Biome Australia develops, licences, commercialises and markets innovative,
evidence-based live biotherapeutics (probiotics) and complementary
medicines, many of which are supported by clinical research. Biome aims to
improve health outcomes and quality of life, and make its products accessible
to all.
Incorporated in Australia in 2018, Biome distributes locally and abroad. In
partnership with some of the world's leading organisations in microbiome
research and development, Biome produced several unique live biotherapeutic
(probiotic) products with innovative delivery technologies that improve their
stability and efficacy to create its flagship range of complementary medicines:
Activated Probiotics®.
Supported by clinical research, including randomised double-blind placebo-
controlled trials, Activated Probiotics and Activated Therapeutics help prevent
and support the management of various health concerns, including low mood
and sleep, bone health, iron malabsorption, mild eczema and IBS. Through
practitioner-only distribution, Biome is committed to educating health
professionals on the newfound systemic health effects of the gut microbiota,
helping them to provide innovative, evidence-based natural medicines for the
management of some of humanity's most prevalent and chronic health
concerns.
For more information visit: www.biomeaustralia.com
Investor Relations
Lauren Dwyer
corporate@biomeaustralia.com
(03) 9017 5800
Forward Looking Statements
This release may contain forward looking statements, including but not limited
to projections, guidance on future revenues, earnings, other potential synergies
and estimates and the future performance of Biome (Forward Looking
Statements). Forward Looking Statements are provided as a general guide only
and should not be relied upon as an indication or guarantee of future
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materially from those expressed or implied in such Forward Looking
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Looking Statements are based. Such statements may assume the success of
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Forward Looking Statements.
The Forward Looking Statements are based on information available to Biome
as at the date of this release. Nothing in this release is a promise or
representation as to the future. No representation or warranty, express or
implied, is made as to the accuracy, likelihood of achievement or
reasonableness of any Forward Looking Statements contained in this release.
Patent applications are subject to examination processes and grant is not
guaranteed. Clinical trial results cannot be predicted and may not support
commercial development. Except as required by law or regulation (including
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assumptions, new information, future events or results or otherwise.
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contains all material information about Biome or which a prospective investor
or purchaser may require in evaluating a possible investment in Biome or
acquisition of securities in Biome.
Appendix A: Summary of key terms of the Commercial Supply
Agreement
The following is a summary of the material terms of the Commercial Supply
Agreement between Biome and SPA. It is a summary only and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the agreement.
Term Detail
Parties Biome Australia Limited (ASX: BIO)
and Specialty Probiotics Australia Pty
Ltd (SPA).
Scope SPA will manufacture, test and
package Biome's Activated
Probiotics range in Australia. Biome
supplies the active ingredients and
SPA carries out domestic
manufacture and finishing.
Effective date 2 June 2026.
Term Initial term of two years from the
effective date, with the parties to
review the agreement's operation,
pricing and renewal at least once in
each 12-month period. Customary
early-termination rights apply.
No upfront capital The agreement requires no upfront
capital investment by Biome, and
Biome is not obliged to purchase any
minimum volume.
Exclusivity During the term, Biome will source
domestic manufacture of the
products from SPA on an exclusive
basis within Australia, subject to
carve-outs for Biome's existing
suppliers and for alternative
suppliers where SPA fails to meet
agreed quality or delivery standards
and does not remedy. Biome retains
its European supply partnerships to
service EU markets.
Delivery EX WORKS (Incoterms 2020) from
SPA's facility.
Liability and insurance Each party's aggregate liability is
capped, subject to customary carve-
outs (including personal injury, fraud,
Term Detail
intellectual property and
confidentiality breaches, and
indemnities). Mutual indemnities
apply and SPA maintains public and
product liability insurance of not less
than $10 million per event.
Intellectual property Biome retains ownership of its
intellectual property and
formulations. Improvements to
Biome's IP vest in Biome, and SPA's
licence is limited to manufacturing
the products for the term.
Termination Either party may terminate for
uncured material breach (60-day
cure period), insolvency, or force
majeure exceeding three months.
Biome may also end exclusivity
without terminating the agreement
if SPA fails to meet quality or delivery
standards.
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