Weekly Roundup: FrieslandCampina introduces Friso TrackEasy in Singapore, Bayer leads funding in dermatology company

16 Oct 2020 --- In nutrition news this week, FrieslandCampina provided Singapore parents with tracking technology that outlines its Friso infant milk supply chain journey. Meanwhile, Bayer’s investment arm invested in biotech company Azitra Inc. to develop solutions that move the paradigm from treatment to cure in dermatology. Nestlé Health Science (NHSc) completed its acquisition of Aimmune Therapeutics and OptiBiotix launched OptiBiome in Australia and New Zealand under the Optislim brand.

In brief: Business news
Leaps by Bayer, the investment arm of Bayer, invested US$8 million in US-based clinical-stage medical dermatology biotech company Azitra. The partnership will focus on developing skin products using engineered and wild-type bacteria for biotherapeutic, over-the-counter and cosmetic applications, leveraging Azitra’s technology platform for live therapeutic products and consumer programs. Existing investors, Bios Partners and Connecticut Innovations, also participated in the round, bringing the Series B financing round to US$17 million.

Aimmune Therapeutics has now joined NHSc as a stand-alone business unit called Aimmune Therapeutics, an NHSc company, and now manages the nutrition giant’s global pharmaceutical business. Aimmune’s development program – which consists of the potential use of Palforzia in toddlers and adults, multiple clinical development programs in other allergies, and the development of the monoclonal antibody AlMab7195 – will proceed as planned. The acquisition was first announced in August.

Swedish health and beauty company Nutrinovate acquired all shares of A to K, a Stockholm-based consumer healthcare company. The brand “A to K” stands for the vitamins from A to K and its product series consists of functional vitamin oral sprays. “[A to K] has built a business in Sweden in recent years and has a growing presence, especially on Amazon’s UK platform. A to K complements Nutrinovate well, both in terms of geographical presence, sales channels and product range,” says Magnus Nilsson Vall, CEO of Nutrinovate.A to K’s functional vitamin sprays are available at Swedish pharmacies and Amazon UK.

In brief: Launches and releases
Addressing consumer demands for heightened traceability, FrieslandCampina introduced Friso TrackEasy in Singapore. The smart packaging allows parents to follow Friso’s infant formula supply chain, starting from Dutch-owned farms to its arrival in Singapore. The scannable QR codes on-pack provide insights on the products’ journeys, including Friso’s dairy farming, milk collection, production process, quality auditing and export. 

Life sciences company OptiBiotix Health will incorporate its weight management ingredient OptiBiome into the Optislim range of premium meal replacement shakes and bars. Optislim is the flagship product from leading health and beauty firm OptiPharm and is available in a variety of applications, including soups, shakes, bars and meals. Australian consumers can purchase the Optislim products at the Chemist Warehouse, Woolworths and OptiPharm’s online store.

The launch of TrackEasy in Singapore enables parents to experience the full supply chain journey of FrieslandCampina’s Friso infant formula milk.Newly-formed licensed cannabis company Pabst Labs regards its Pabst Ribbon Cannabis Infused Seltzer launch as a “major milestone” for the “burgeoning cannabis drinks industry.” Each 12 oz can contains just 4 g of sugar, 25 calories and contains no preservatives. With 5 mg of THC per can, Pabst Labs provides a “responsible dosage” designed for both casual and experienced cannabis users. The lemon seltzer will be the only flavor available during the initial launch, but additional flavors are already in development.

In brief: Regulatory news
Aker BioMarine received its third consecutive certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for its sustainable Antarctic krill fishery following an independent assessment. The report notes that Aker BioMarine’s key sustainability strengths include the minimum amount of bycatch, its 100 percent observer coverage on its vessels and the active partnerships with NGOs and scientific institutes that contribute to increased knowledge and raised standards in the fishery. The company was initially certified in 2010, being the first krill company ever to carry the MSC label.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to five dietary supplement companies whose product labelings declare cesium chloride as a dietary ingredient. The FDA considers these products to be “adulterated” because they have not satisfied the conditions required to lawfully market a dietary supplement containing a new dietary ingredient. Cesium chloride is sometimes promoted as an alternative treatment for cancer, the FDA highlights, but it has “never been proven to be safe and effective” to treat cancer or for any other use. 

Pabst Labs revealed Pabst Blue Ribbon Cannabis Infused Seltzer (Credit: Pabst Labs.com).In brief: Research and studies
Sanobiotec joins a “minor group” of players in the cannabis production market to have successfully produced tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), a naturally occurring minor cannabinoid. THCV has been explored for the treatment of multiple diseases. Notably, it can decrease appetite, induce satiety and enhance metabolic rate, thus making it a viable candidate for weight loss. The development of a stable and pure THCV has “filled a critical gap” in the cannabis market, says Sanobiotec. 

Oral supplementation of Bifidobacterium breve PB04 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus KL53A in neonates delivered by cesarean section (CS) immediately after birth can enrich gut microbiota composition with lactic acid bacteria. A Nutrients-published study tested if probiotics to 150 newborns born via CS at 38 to 40 weeks alter the pattern of early gut colonization by lactic acid bacteria versus potential pathogens. The infants’ stool samples showed a “quick and abundant colonization” of the beneficial bacteria in their guts. After one month of life, the applied bacterial strains were present in the majority of neonates.

In brief: Appointments
Lycored appointed Shirley Cohen as its new CEO. She will oversee the company’s significant expansion of doubled tomato-based lycopene production to “meet unprecedented demand.” Cohen replaces Rony Patishi-Chillim, who joined Lycored in 2014, and will be assuming the position of vice president of finance at ADAMA, Lycored’s parent company.

By Anni Schleicher