PharmaNutra partners with Sigma Lifesciences to distribute patented iron supplements in Canada

PharmaNutra has closed an international distribution agreement with pharmaceutical producer and distributor Sigma Lifesciences for the sale of four iron supplement products in Canada. 

Specifically, Sigma Lifesciences will handle the Canadian distribution of PharmaNutra’s SiderAL Forte, SiderAL Folic and SiderAL Drops.

The dietary supplements are based on Sucrosomial Iron, developed using the patented Sucrosomial Technology, a delivery system that protects the molecules of micronutrients like iron, enhancing absorption and improving tolerability.

“The agreement with Sigma Lifesciences is important from several perspectives, starting with the fact that with Canada we complete our presence in North America,” says Carlo Volpi, PharmaNutra COO.

“We are talking about a market with considerable potential, so we are truly confident about the impact that our products, based on innovative patented technologies, can have in the region. The contribution of our partner, Sigma Lifesciences, a renowned and relevant player, will play a crucial role in the development of our business in Canada.”

Growing Sucrosomial Technology literacy

The deal builds on PharmaNutra’s network of 80 countries.

As part of the marketing plan for SiderAL products, scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, PharmaNutra’s scientific and commercial management hosted a training session for the Sigma Lifesciences team last week in Toronto, Canada.

During this event, a focus group took place with more than thirty Canadian pharmacists and doctors from various therapeutic areas — gynecology, hematology, internal medicine and oncology — aimed at developing the knowledge of Sucrosomial Technology and understanding the specific needs of the local market.

In addition to the three SiderAL products, Sigma Lifesciences’ product portfolio will include Ultramag, a dietary supplement based on Sucrosomial Magnesium.

Ultramag and the SiderAL products have received official registration from Health Canada for commercialization in the country.

Enhancing iron

Iron’s importance as an essential mineral is frequently underscored by nutritional research, such as Cochrane’s most recent investigation into its role beyond ensuring healthy pregnancies. However, formulators in iron supplements encounter two common challenges, stability and taste. These can be overcome with targeted solutions.

Earlier this year at Vitafoods 2024, gummy supplement manufacturer TopGum launched IronGum — high-dose iron gummies with a sensory appeal, specially formulated to eliminate the typical metal-like taste.

Tackling bioavailability, Lubrizol Life Science offers a microencapsulation technology that solves iron’s stabilization issue encountered when formulating it into baby formulas.