Beyond The Headlines: Pharmavite’s US$425M acquisition, Univar Solutions’ exclusive distribution deal

01 Dec 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, Pharmavite acquired Bonafide Health to expand its women’s health products offering. Meanwhile, Univar Solutions Canada became the exclusive distributor for Chemi Nutra’s portfolio of nutraceutical ingredients in Canada, and Kyowa Hakko Bio received authorization to sell three human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in the US. 

Industry news 
Pharmavite, the nutrition company behind Nature Made vitamins, acquired women’s health company Bonafide Health for US$425 million. Bonafide creates scientifically formulated, nature-inspired products with clinical evidence and doctor support, focusing on delivering long-term, sustainable support of menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The acquisition complements Pharmavite’s women’s health business, consisting of Uqora, a urinary tract health brand, and Equelle, a supplement with S-equol, clinically shown to naturally address the root cause of symptoms related to estrogen decline. Bonafide will continue to operate out of its current headquarters in Harrison, New York, US. 

The Canadian subsidiary of Univar Solutions was named the exclusive distributor for Chemi Nutra’s complete portfolio of specialty, functional and nutraceutical ingredients in Canada. The US-based nutraceutical and dietary ingredient company produces a range of novel, branded ingredients used in F&B and supplements, targeting cognitive health, active nutrition, women’s health, active aging and sports and performance nutrition. Chemi Nutra’s portfolio includes ingredient compounds such as SerinAid Phosphatidylserine, Mediator Phosphatidic Acid and AlphaSize Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline.

Kyowa Hakko Bio is authorized to sell three US HMOs, which can be included in infant formula.Regulatory approvals 
Kyowa Hakko Bio, a subsidiary of Kirin Holdings, received authorization to sell three HMOs in the US, which can be included in non-exempt infant formula and various conventional foods. The company received a no question letter from the US FDA for its Generally Recognized as Safe Substances (GRAS) notices for 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), 3’-Sialyllactose sodium salt (3’-SL) and 6’-Sialyllactose sodium salt (6’-SL). Kyowa Hakko Bio started production of the three HMOs in its facility in Thailand last year and aims to expand the availability of the ingredients in countries where applications have been approved.

The biotechnology company Enveric Biosciences has received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application on its EVM301 series of molecules, indicating that the patent should be granted. The EVM301 molecules are being developed as potential treatments for mental health disorders. The company will soon issue the patent “Glycosylated Psilocybin Derivatives and Methods of Using,” which contains composition and methods of use claims for novel prodrug derivatives of glycosylated psilocybin. The objective of these molecules is to generate a therapeutic benefit without inducing hallucinations associated with most psychedelic molecules. If successful, these molecules might be administered without requiring a healthcare professional during treatment. 

The FDA cleared BrainSpec, a software platform that enables virtual biopsies of the brain. Its Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy platform provides non-invasive measurement of brain chemistry. This “first-ever” brain chemistry database allows clinicians to quickly infer brain biomarker data to support the diagnosis of brain-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and brain tumors, which the company expects may save US$98,000 per patient in healthcare costs compared to current standard care. Through traditional MRI scanners, BrainSpec measures the chemical composition of brain tissue to create a virtual biopsy. The platform supports precise diagnosis and treatment as it can detect metabolites at much lower concentrations than standard MRI. The platform uses advanced signal processing methods to generate multidimensional data that can be fed into AI models.

BrainSpec has been cleared by the FDA to provide a non-invasive measurement of brain chemistry.Nutrition news 
Project representatives co-financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) joined governments, partners and other stakeholders in Côte d’Ivoire to explore solutions that optimize the contribution of agriculture to nutrition in food systems in West and Central Africa. Children under five in the region have high rates of stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies, while the adult population also faces high rates of micronutrient deficiencies. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are often underweight, and the growing rates of obesity contribute to non-communicable diseases. The three-day workshop focused on nutrition-sensitive interventions and approaches, using IFAD’s nutrition action plan and capacity development plan for mainstreaming nutrition in IFAD investments. 

The Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation joined the Go Red for Women movement by the American Heart Association (AHA) to empower a new generation of women to take charge of their health. The foundation’s support of AHA’s campaign will focus on three pillars — promoting awareness of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as the leading killer of women, educating and empowering Miss America’s participants at local, state and national levels and raising funds to support the movement, which calls for equitable research and treatment for women. The AHA cautions that younger generations are less likely to be aware of the health threat CVD poses to women, including the warning signs of heart attack and stroke. 

At the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), Carrefour opened a store with an eco-conscious shopping experience. The brand, operated by Majid Al Futtaim in the UAE, also launched its “Choose Better” program at the store, aiming to educate, empower and reward customers by making healthier and more sustainable choices accessible, affordable and appealing in-store and online. The program is built on three pillars — choosing better “For You,” “For the Planet” and “For Communities.” The Carrefour store at COP28 employs a circular design with repurposed material and smart lighting, prompting product sustainability. Moreover, Carrefour is the first retailer in the Middle East to partner with HowGood, an independent research database that assesses ingredients and the environmental and social impact of products. 

Greater adherence to cancer prevention recommendations such as healthy diets was linked to lower cancer risk.Scientific studies 
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry revealed that six patients who received the obesity drug semaglutide during treatment for weight loss demonstrated a significant reduction of alcohol use disorder symptoms. The researchers observe a growing attention to the possibility that semaglutide may have broader applications, with pre-clinical research indicating the drug’s link to reductions in drug and alcohol consumption. Moreover, patients using the medicine for diabetes or weight loss have reported reductions in the urge to drink alcohol. Conducted by the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, the researchers note that additional randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies are needed to fully assess the efficacy of semaglutide in treating alcohol use disorder. One such clinical trial is currently underway in Oklahoma, called Semaglutide Therapy for Alcohol Reduction. 

Published in BMC Medicine, new research supports the validity of cancer prevention recommendations by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Greater adherence to these recommendations, which encourage a healthy lifestyle, was associated with a lower risk of all cancers combined and individual cancers such as breast cancer. The recommendations encourage people to maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruit and beans but low in highly processed foods, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened drinks and alcohol. The researchers analyzed UK Biobank data for 94,778 adults, aged 56 years on average, and cancer registry data to calculate the incidence of new cancers during eight years. They used self-reported dietary and physical activity data — in addition to participants’ BMI and waist circumference measurements — to score participants’ adherence to the recommendations. However, the research team cautions that the study does not allow for conclusions on a causal relationship between recommendation adherence and cancer risk, as it was observational. 

By Jolanda van Hal