Immunoglobulins for digestive health: PanTheryx’s bovine colostrum gains GRAS status

12 Dec 2019 --- Biotechnology company PanTheryx’s bovine colostrum has received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after being reviewed by an independent expert panel of scientists. This opens opportunities in expanding the ingredient’s use into new applications for the food and beverage industry globally, the company says. PanTheryx also notes it is committed to realizing the potential of bovine colostrum-based therapies to address a wide range of health conditions. The launch is a significant step in this direction as well and further affirms immunoglobulins’ potential in digestive health.

“GRAS is a US-specific regulatory designation for ingredients in foods and beverages, but it also carries international relevance. It will allow us to enter new countries and categories to broadly market our proprietary bovine colostrum,” George Stagnitti, Executive Vice President of PanTheryx., tells NutritionInsight.

However, he notes that colostrum has already made its way into consumer products globally. Recently, PanTheryx announced a multimillion-dollar agreement between its wholly-owned subsidiary APS BioGroup and VitaDairy, the leading Vietnamese nutritional dairy company. Colostrum already serves as an ingredient in VitaDairy’s ColosBaby portfolio of products for children and mothers across Vietnam.

Bovine colostrum is a beneficial and nutritionally active ingredient containing immunoglobulins, as well as immune and growth factors.“We are actively engaging with partners to develop functional foods and beverages containing colostrum. This marks a significant milestone for the development of new, natural and safe solutions for gut and immune health,” Stagnitti adds. 

Gut health is no longer taboo among consumers and increased awareness over digestive health has led to innovations in NPD to cater to the demand. Innova Market Insights reports a 14.5 percent average annual growth in food and beverage launches with a digestive health-related claim (Global 2017-2018). Moreover, a 17 percent CAGR was noted in launches with a “probiotic” claim (Global 2014-2018). 

Bovine colostrum is a milky fluid that comes from the udders of cows the first few days after giving birth. It’s a highly beneficial and nutritionally active ingredient containing immunoglobulins, as well as immune and growth factors that provide gastrointestinal (GI), immune and other important health benefits. Bovine colostrum has an extensive history of safe use and has played a vital role in both human and animal health, the company notes. 

“It's suitable for a number of food and beverage applications. We are actively engaging with partners to develop functional foods and beverages containing colostrum, including in growing-up milks, yogurts, nutrition bars and other products,” Stagnitti notes.

PanTheryx commercializes “first-in-class” therapeutics, with products developed from its patented technology platform spanning the range of nutritional interventions to biologics. “The recent affirmation by the independent expert panel of scientists shows that colostrum is safe to use in food and beverage products; a recognition that consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands will find helpful in moving forward with incorporating colostrum into their products,” Stagnitti concludes.

By Kristiana Lalou