Epax lands nearly US$1M for research into lesser known omega 3 fatty acids

16 Dec 2020 --- Norwegian marine oil manufacturer Epax has been awarded an 8 million Norwegian Kroner (US$918,000) grant for research into applications of omega 3 fatty acids in eye health, skin health and fertility products. 

With the grant from the Norwegian Research Council, Epax says it has begun providing test materials to universities and research institutions for pre-clinical research. Clinical trials are due to take place at a later stage.

This will also form the foundation for the first in a series of products dubbed the Epax NovusLipid range, currently in development.

The research institute Nofima is partnering with Epax on research linked to an Epax-sponsored PhD, says the company. The first scientific publication is due in 2021.

“There are thousands of papers and clinical studies demonstrating the health benefits of marine lipids. Most of these have focused on the well-known omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, but there are more than 30 different fatty acids that occur naturally in marine oils,” says Iren Stoknes, research and development manager at Epax.

“In recent years, Epax has worked to expand understanding of these sometimes overlooked nutrients and to unlock their potential for human health. This award from the Norwegian Research Council is an endorsement of our vision.”

Epax will use the funding to explore the more than 30 lesser-known fatty acids in omega 3 for their human health potential.The research will support Epax’s wider “Oceans of Possibilities” initiative, which is investigating novel, bio-active marine products. 

Epax expanding 
Last year, Epax invested US$35 million into doubling its production capacity and boosting its research programs. 

At the time, the company told NutritionInsight demand for omega 3 supplements was massively outstripping supply and that finding new sources besides fish, such as algae, was critical in meeting demand. 

An industry roundtable recently emphasized the lack of consumer knowledge on omega 3 supplements despite their enormous popularity. Key suppliers noted widespread misconceptions on dosage requirements and called for greater personalization.

New research on omega 3 
While Epax intends to explore the possibilities surrounding the more than 30 other fatty acids in omega 3, recent research has revealed key differences between the most well-known of its elements, DHA and EPA.

US researchers found that DHA carries the significant anti-inflammatory qualities associated with omega 3, while EPA performs a regulatory function between proteins. 

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton

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