NutriLeads lands €4.5M in dsm-firmenich led series C funding for BeniCaros prebiotic fiber

19 Dec 2023 --- Biotech company NutriLeads successfully raised €4.5 million (US$4.9 million) in a Series C investment round led by nutrition player dsm-firmenich. The round aimed to expedite the commercialization of NutriLeads’ innovative precision prebiotic fiber, BeniCaros, a prebiotic fiber recognized for enhancing immune and gut health.

Additionally, BeniCaros has generated attention due to its proven ability to stimulate innate immune responses, improve microbiota composition and bolster gut health.

“BeniCaros offers health benefits for consumers of all ages,” says Dr. Joana Carneiro, CEO of NutriLeads. “This funding will enable us to move into key market regions with strong consumer demand for natural immune and gut health solutions and drive research to substantiate additional differentiating product claims.”

Transition and restructure
In tandem with this Series C funding, NutriLeads introduces a new single-tier board structure with Carneiro as CEO and two new board members, including an investment director at dsm-firmenich Venturing and a specialist in the nutrition value chain.

Furthermore, NutriLeads reveals a pivotal transition as its founder moves from chief scientific officer to lead its newly formed Scientific Advisory Committee. The company says the committee will guide its research and development efforts.

BeniCaros is derived from upcycled carrot pomace and can support immune health and the gut microbiota composition.“The financing and Board changes support the transition of NutriLeads into a fully commercial company with an emerging global brand of tremendous potential in the health ingredients market,” Carneiro explains. “Combined with the additional capital, NutriLeads is well positioned for strong sales growth and profitability.”

Expanding reach
Carneiro highlights that with this latest injection of capital, the company will expand BeniCaros into new consumer markets and geographical regions.

The prebiotic is derived from upcycled carrot pomace and, according to the company, the research conclusively demonstrates that BeniCaros enhances the innate immune responses more rapidly and robustly while improving the composition of gut microbiota.

Earlier this year, NutriLeads told Nutrition Insight that its BeniCaros prebiotic product employs a dual strategy to enhance immunity. Firstly, it boosts the efficiency and resilience of the body’s innate immune responses.

Secondly, it systematically and selectively modifies the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota, contributing to a robust gut ecosystem and a strengthened immune system. This leads to a stronger and more resilient intestinal ecosystem, which is crucial for maintaining overall health and wellness.

Additionally, NutriLeads states that the science behind BeniCaros, combined with its minimal daily dosage requirement of only 300 mg and its appealing formulation characteristics, offers a wide range of possibilities for innovation in products related to food, beverages and supplements.

“We will continue to develop additional health applications for BeniCaros in human health and nutrition and look for development partnerships with pet and animal nutrition companies,” Carneiro concludes.

Edited by William Bradford Nichols