Natraceutical Group Acquires Viscofiber from Cevena Bioproducts Inc.

12/11/07 Natraceutical Group, a biotech multinational holding company based in Europe, has agreed to purchase the assets and operations of Cevena Bioproducts Inc. Recognizing that Viscofiber is the only high-viscosity and high-concentration oat beta-glucan soluble fiber commercially available, Natraceutical has moved to further consolidate its functional food business with the acquisition of Viscofiber (www.viscofiber.com). All Viscofiber products will now be manufactured and distributed by Natraceutical Canada Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Natraceutical Group) and sold worldwide by the Natraceutical Group of companies. The team that manufactured and marketed Viscofiber at Cevena will remain in place at Natraceutical Canada. 

Beta-glucan is a natural grain-based soluble fiber mainly from oat and barley.  The viscosity of beta-glucan is believed to be extremely important for its physiological efficacy. Today Viscofiber is the only viscous and high concentration beta-glucan commercially available in a multi-functional ingredient.  Dietary fiber is collectively acknowledged to be one of the key factors in a health promoting diet as the link between intake of dietary fiber and the reduced risk of many diseases is established in several studies.  No longer is fiber considered solely beneficial for digestion.  With an enhanced concentration of soluble fiber – up to 12 times more than oat bran – Viscofiber offers a new solution for heart healthy consumers.  In fact, Viscofiber delivers a multitude of health benefits, including improved cholesterol, improved glycemic response, glucose management and increased satiety for weight loss formulations.

“The need to incorporate fiber into our diets has never been higher,” said Mr. José Vicente Pons Andreu, CEO of Natraceutical Group. “Food manufacturers are scrambling to respond consumer demand for healthier, minimally processed food products. Viscofiber’s high concentration and superior viscosity is ideal for dietary supplement manufacturers, while its great flexibility in product formulations is appropriate for functional food products.  The ingredient can be incorporated into such products as breads, drinks, nutritional bars, yogurts, ice cream, soups, pasta and breakfast cereals. Viscofiber also offers great potential for introduction in the beauty and pet food sectors”.  After the launch of soluble cocoa fiber last year, the purchase of Viscofiber is a further step for Natraceutical Group to lead the global functional food sector by developing and manufacturing healthy ingredients and services to help their customers to achieve optimal performance in the market-place.