Valensa International’s Dr. Rudi E. Moerck Appointed CEO

In his previous two years as President, Moerck positioned Valensa as the industry’s leading US based astaxanthin oleoresin and beadlet producer. Valensa is the only astaxanthin producer which operates its own super critical fluid extraction (SCFX) facility.

20/02/09 Valensa International has appointed Dr. Rudi E. Moerck as President & Chief Executive Officer of the company. The move to add CEO duties for Dr. Moerck comes on the heels of Valensa’s partnership with Parry Nutraceuticals (Division of E.I.D. Parry (India) Ltd, Chennai, India) announced last November.  In a career that spans more than 25 years, Dr. Moerck has held senior management positions in the pharmaceutical and specialty chemical industries, as well as research and commercial development positions. In his new role, Dr. Moerck will lead Valensa’s move into the next generation of high-performance plant-derived dietary supplements and functional food ingredients, which includes Valensa’s “Direct to Marketers” product development and business strategy. He will lead Valensa’s new management team that includes executives from both Valensa and Parry. 

According to Dr. Moerck, the market opportunities for dietary supplements and functional food ingredients are greater than it has ever been. “Health and well-being have become lifestyle decisions for a rapidly growing population segment in the United States and worldwide. A focus on staying healthy and preventing the chronic illnesses that have become so common in our society is a part of emerging healthcare strategies. Simultaneously, the desire for natural products is still increasing throughout all age, income and gender demographics,” he said. “We feel that our strategy at Valensa - to use the most scientifically important natural materials, to use the best technology and quality control, to optimize the product forms in terms of stability and efficacy - and to create compelling messages around our products will position us as a 'next generation' leader to the industry and the consumer," he said.

In his previous two years as President, Moerck positioned Valensa as the industry’s leading US based astaxanthin oleoresin and beadlet producer.  Valensa is the only astaxanthin producer which operates its own super critical fluid extraction (SCFX) facility.  Valensa’s new relationship with Parry Nutraceuticals provides additional security to its broad Haematococcus pluvialis (astaxanthin) biomass raw material sourcing.  Valensa has become the leading supplier of chia-derived ingredients, developing a specialty Omega-3 fortification platform with products under its Tresalbio, ChiaMax and ChiaGold brand names. Valensa’s specialty Omega-3 products offer the highest levels of Omega-3s available, while meeting consumer demands for taste, stability, shelf-life and efficacy.  Moerck also spearheaded Valensa’s technology development effort aimed at increasing the bioavailability and efficacy of natural compounds via extraction optimization, dispersion and stabilization technologies and through optimized synergistic ingredient combinations.  Proprietary technology platforms include DeepExtract ultra-high pressure supercritical CO2 extraction and the O2B Peroxidation Blocker Stabilization System.  Under Moerck, Valensa also expanded their intellectual property position with US Patents for USPlus saw palmetto prostate formulas, including Certified Organic USPlus, and Zanthin astaxanthin for use in eye health.  In addition, Valensa has filed provisional patents for numerous product formulations, including seven pertaining to chia Omega-3.

Prior to joining Valensa, Dr. Moerck was President of Altair Nanotechnologies While at Altair, he was the principal inventor of RenaZorb. RenaZorb was in-licensed by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals in January 2005. While at Altair, he was also the chief innovator of a new drug delivery system called TiNano Spheres for enhanced and timed release of pharmaceuticals. His work in the pharmaceutical industry includes postings at Catalytica Pharmaceuticals as Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing, V.P. and General Manager API manufacturing and R&D. He also served as President of the Fine Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Group at Cambrex Corporation.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Moerck worked at Degussa AG, a global chemicals and materials company where he held positions ranging from Senior Scientist and Pharmaceutical Plant Manager to Vice President where he was responsible for the development of Degussa's North American hydrogen peroxide business and the development of technology/services packages serving a wide range of industries.

Dr. Moerck was awarded his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Florida Southern College. He received postdoctoral fellowships from both the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Moerck taught pre-medical organic chemistry at Ohio State University and at Ohio Wesleyan University. He holds patents in the areas of amino acid technology and nanotechnology and is the inventor of RenaZorb, a new drug candidate for serum phosphate control in kidney dialysis patients with end stage renal disease.

Headquartered in Eustis, Florida USA (near Orlando), Valensa International is a leading science-based developer and provider of high quality botanically sourced products for nutritional supplements and functional foods.

Valensa Omega-3 brands include its O2B stabilized Tresalbio Supercritical Fluid Chia Seed Extract, ChiaGold Stabilized Chia Seed Oil, ChiaMax Low-Fat Whole Grain, Z-Omega3-6-9, Cranberol Cranberry Seed Extract and AstaCran Astaxanthin-Cranberry Seed Extract.  Condition-specific brands include Cran-Gyn Women’s Health UTI Formula, Nanocosanol Policosanol Dispersion, Zanthin Natural Astaxanthin, SpiruZan Organic Spirulina / Astaxanthin Complex, and USPlus Prostate Formula and Palmetto Rosso and Organic Saw Palmetto extract. Functional food brands include ChiaMax Omega-3 Low-Fat Whole Grain products.