Weekly Digest: Plant-based diet boosts healthy hearts, GMP registration for OmniActive health ingredients plant

08 Jun 2018 --- This week in nutrition, OmniActive has had its Hosur plant, that manufactures natural extracts, gain Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) from NSF and Omya International had its orally disintegrating tablets confirmed by a scientific study. The benefits of a plant-based diet for a healthy heart were touted by researchers, including lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Lastly, NattoPharma and its pharmaceutical spin-off Kaydence Pharma appointed new CEO's amid positive growth results and Lycored appoints a new SVP as it seeks to grow R&D capabilities.

In brief: Product & ingredient launches and certifications
OmniActive Health Technologies has received notice that its Hosur, India, manufacturing facility has attained Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) registration by NSF International. OmniActive’s Specialty Botanicals & Extracts division manufactures its authenticated and standardized natural extracts including garcinia cambogia, green coffee, valerian and natural caffeine, as well as turmeric, green tea, boswellia, fenugreek, senna, coleus and guarana. “Earning GMP registration demonstrates a real commitment to quality in dietary supplement manufacturing,” says Cheryl Luther, General Manager of Dietary Supplements, Sports Nutrition and Beverage Quality at NSF International. “OmniActive’s Hosur facility has the proper methods, equipment, facilities, and controls in place for compliance with dietary supplement GMPs.”

Omya International AG, a producer of calcium carbonates and special additives and solutions, has had their orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) confirmed by a recent study. The study asserted that the tablets were well accepted by volunteers and disintegrated fast in vivo. Additionally, the compactibility and the physical stability of the tablets were preserved, delivering the high porosity required to absorb the liquid necessary for a fast disintegration time. The findings, Omya states, lead to the conclusion that Omyapharm is suitable for ODT dosage forms and comes with a “pleasant mouthfeel.”

In brief: Research studies
A diet that includes plant protein, fiber, nuts and plant sterol comes with a host of healthy heart benefits, a meta-analysis published in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases has found. The diet is said to lower cholesterol, improve blood pressure and improve other markers for cardiovascular disease. The diet is based on the “Portfolio diet” which is plant-based and includes 42 grams of nuts (peanuts/treenuts), 20 grams of soluble fiber (e.g., oats, eggplant and berries), 50 grams of plant protein (e.g., beans, lentils) and 2 grams of plant sterols per day. The meta-analysis found that following the dietary pattern reduced LDL-cholesterol by 17 percent, while also reducing total cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and C-reactive protein. It also helped reduce ten year coronary heart disease risk by 13 percent.

In brief: Appointments & retirements
NattoPharma’s former CEO, Daniel Rosenbaum, who has served as the interim CEO of Kaydence Pharma – the pharmaceutical spin-off of NattoPharma – has been appointed as permanent CEO of Kaydence. Kjetil Ramsøy, who assumed the role of interim CEO for NattoPharma in Rosenbaum's absence, has been named permanent CEO of NattoPharma. Furthermore, in line with the company’s efforts to increase its global commercial activities, NattoPharma has named Christopher Speed its Senior Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing. Speed comes to NattoPharma from Wiley’s Finest Fish Oils, where he worked as Vice President of Sales

“With all the pieces falling into place, it is clear we have chosen wisely with our leadership, and we want to see them proceed on their current trajectory, continuing to exceed expectations,” says Forde Bohan, NattoPharma Chairman of the Board. 

Lycored has appointed Dr. Etgar Levy-Nissenbaum as its new Senior Vice President of Global Research and Development. The appointment comes as the global carotenoid company looks to strengthen and grow its R&D capabilities. Before joining, Dr. Levy-Nissenbaum served in numerous R&D management positions, most recently at Teva Pharmaceuticals. “I’m very excited to be joining a company that is committed to innovation. I look forward to working with Lycored’s outstanding team of professionals and strive to build and strengthen the company’s reputation and capabilities. I hope my scientific background and industrial experience will help Lycored continue to make a difference as it seeks to cultivate wellness,” says Levy-Nissenbaum.

By Laxmi Haigh