Merck KGaA has announced that Bion3, its premiere probiotics, multivitamin and mineral combination product, will be its first Consumer Health Care product in Japan. The world's second-largest market for over the- counter health remedies.

Merck Selbstmedikation GmbH, a subsidiary of Merck's wholly owned division Merck Consumer Health Care (CHC), has granted exclusive licensing and marketing rights in the Japanese market to SATO Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. for its Bion3, a patent protected probiotics, multivitamin and mineral combination product. The agreement covers the manufacturing, packaging, marketing, use and selling of Bion3 in Japan by SATO Pharmaceutical.

"We believe that Bion3, the first product to uniquely combine probiotics with multivitamins and minerals, will be well received in Japan, where consumers are discerning and health conscious," said Peter Shotter, Head of Merck's Consumer Health Care division. "Our partnership with SATO Pharmaceutical, a respected name in the Japanese OTC market, furthers our goal to make Bion3 a global brand."

Bion3 is already available in 30 countries around the world. Consumers recognize it as the first product to uniquely combine probiotics with multivitamins and minerals. Research has clinically proven that it boosts the natural inner immune defence and supplies the body with probiotics, vitamins and minerals.