Weekly Roundup: Lonza and IBF create framework agreement, Kemin expands operations to Mexico

27 May 2022 --- This week in nutrition news, Lonza and Israel Biotech Fund (IBF) have partnered for a two-year agreement to support Israeli-based companies with biologics and small molecule development. Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, opened new offices and a distribution center in Mexico based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Meanwhile, GOED created a new consumer infographic highlighting European omega 3 health claims as part of its efforts to educate consumers about omega 3s.

In brief: Business news
Venture fund IBF and Lonza have created a framework agreement that aims to broaden the scope of services provided by Lonza to pharmaceutical companies in the Israeli ecosystem. Lonza will assist IBF by providing pre-investment due diligence support and customized guidance, flexibility and services for developing and producing biologics and small molecules for IBF’s portfolio firms. The agreement will grant Lonza access to IBF’s major network and allow IBF to benefit from Lonza’s manufacturing expertise and knowledge in its due diligence review of potential targets.

Kemin is expanding to Mexico with new facilities that will support Kemin Food Technologies, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health and Kemin Pet Food & Rendering Technologies. The new 36,000 square-foot building has 5,800 square feet of office space that can accommodate up to 40 team members and includes conference rooms that allow Kemin customers, stakeholders and partners to collaborate at the facility. The new product distribution warehouse can hold more than 1,000 metric tons of product and features a dedicated Kemin Application Solutions (KAS) area to build, pilot and demonstrate customer-tailored systems for optimal product application. To help support the growth in Mexico, Kemin made strategic shifts in their leadership team. In addition to Romero and Garcia, Kemin has promoted Gloria Noriega to Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager for Mexico and Central US.

The Vitamin Shoppe is the first retail partner to bring Mooless products to in-person shopping.The Global Organization for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid DHA omega 3 (GOED) created an infographic to assist omega 3 companies that follow the European Food Safety Authority guidelines in communicating the health benefits of EPA and DHA omega 3. The infographic handout uses language directly from the Commission Regulations on the nine health claims on EPA and DHA omega 3s approved in the European Union.

Stratum Nutrition extended its patent portfolio to Europe and Canada, following ESM Technologies (the company’s brand) receiving Notices of Allowance for two different patents in these two regions. The European Patent Office approved the patent titled “Methods for Treating NF-kB Dysregulation in a Host in Need Thereof Using Eggshell Membrane Compositions,” first issued in the US in 2019. This invention addresses various NF-kB dysregulation-related disorders and diseases, including those affecting the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, and brain system. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office allowed the other patent, titled “Method for Evaluating Articular Joint Therapeutics,” first issued in the US in 2018. This invention relates to a clinical trial strategy for evaluating articular joint treatments for chondroprotective efficacy using the cartilage degradation biomarker CTX-II.

Contract testing laboratory Alkemist Labs introduced an Alkemist Assured seal, Transparency Reports and a two-tiered botanical and fungal transparency program that showcases testing accuracy for plant and mushroom testing. The two-tiered program helps ingredient suppliers and finished product companies showcase their ingredient and product transparency through reports and the Alkemist Assured seal. The first tier will enable companies to display test results and certificate of analysis reports in Next Generation Transparency consumer-friendly formatting on their website for either B2B customers or consumers to see and refresh them at least every six months. The second tier will involve the application of the Alkemist Assured seal on product marketing materials, website and sales materials. The requirements for using the seal require that participant companies utilize Alkemist identity, potency and contaminant testing services for raw material and blended ingredient quality. A minimum one-year commitment is required for each product in the program to be permitted to use the Alkemist Assured seal.

In brief: Environmental moves
ADM released its 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report unveiling its 100% traceability of direct and indirect soy suppliers in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The report details the company achieved the industry’s “first” net carbon neutral status of its scale for ADM’s US flour milling operations. ADM also received its third consecutive recognition by Ethisphere as one of the “world’s most ethical” companies. The report also detailed ADM’s sustainability bond, representing US$750 million in capital to support efforts ranging from sustainable agriculture and energy efficiency to food security and socio-economic empowerment. In 2021, ADM additionally committed to a new, aggressive environmental goal to reduce scope three greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2035 while accelerating its target date to achieve an utterly deforestation-free supply chain from 2030 to 2025.

Plantwise introduced a product line of supplements that address muscle pain, immune health, alertness and sleep improvement.The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has unveiled a Genetic Technology – precision breeding – Bill to address the nutritional deficiency in crop-based foods. Researchers from the UK-based Quadram Institute have welcomed the legislation that will support the efforts of scientists to develop the future foods we need to help overcome the global challenges around food security and the climate emergency. The gene-editing tools this legislation covers allow researchers to make precise changes to the genomes of plants to give them beneficial traits or characteristics. This could include crops that are more drought-resistant or need less fertilizer or pesticides. Additionally, it could open the way to more nutritious crops, providing vital missing nutrients to diets or making staple foods that are healthier and more environmentally sustainable for the planet.

In brief: Launches and releases
Wellness company Natreve’s Mooless animal-free whey protein powder is now available in over 690 store locations of US-based Vitamin Shoppe and on the store’s website. The Vitamin Shoppe is the first retail partner to bring animal-free whey protein powder to the in-person shopping experience. The Mooless whey protein powder is made through precision fermentation. Each serving contains 20 g of protein, 4.6 g of branched-chain amino acids and a full spectrum of digestive enzymes. Natreve details that when compared to standard whey protein manufacturing processes, making animal-free whey protein saves up to 99% of water, 97% of greenhouse gas emissions and 60% of energy.

Wellness company Plantwise introduced five products designed to promote performance and overall health. The products will be rolled out this spring and summer and they will include Plantwise Probiotics and Postbiotics, Plantwise Mind Spark, Plantwise Relax and Rest, Plantwise Immune Prime and Plantwise Pain Support. Plantwise Probiotics and Postbiotics may support the gut, brain and immune system. The product has an acid-resistant capsule that protects the colony of good bacteria, including 12 DNA-verified probiotic strains that supply good bacteria to support gut, brain and immune system function. The Plantwise Mind Spark may enhance energy and improve focus and reaction time, while the Plantwise Relax and Rest may improve and promote sleep quality. Lastly, the Plantwise Immune Prime supplement helps balance the immune system, while the Plantwise Pain Support may offer pain relief associated with overexertion and exercise by helping to reduce inflammation.

Eating up to one egg per day may help lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.Netherlands-based Intoleran created a line of digestive enzyme supplements that may tackle digestive issues and food intolerances. The supplements contain lactase which aids in the breakdown of lactose and fibractase, which helps with the digestion of wheat products, beans and lentils. Intoleran notes that although its products will not cure every stomach problem, they can help people dealing with food intolerances daily feel more at ease. Consumers can “eliminate” their digestive disorders and enjoy their meal by taking the enzyme supplement when eating a troublesome cuisine, the company says.

In brief: Research and studies
A National Natural Science Foundation of China-funded study found moderate egg consumption can increase the amount of heart-healthy metabolites in the blood. The study findings suggest that eating up to one egg per day may help lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study involved 4,778 participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank, of whom 3,401 had cardiovascular disease and 1,377 did not. The researchers used targeted nuclear magnetic resonance to measure 225 metabolites in plasma samples taken from the participants’ blood. Their analyses showed that individuals who ate a moderate amount of eggs had higher levels of a protein in their blood called apolipoprotein A1 – a building block of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as ‘good lipoprotein.’ These individuals especially had more large HDL molecules in their blood, which help clear cholesterol from the blood vessels and protect against blockages that can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

Japan-based Tokyo University of Science research analyzed the potential of bony fish head cartilage as an alternative source of proteoglycans and chondroitin sulfate for healthy food formulations. According to researchers, proteoglycans from salmon nasal cartilage demonstrate biological properties such as anti-aging, inhibition of angiogenesis and reduction of inflammatory responses. Commercially available chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) have only been prepared from salmon nasal cartilage. Although the head cartilage was found in other edible bony fishes, there is little information on the composition of core proteins and their CS structures in the head cartilage. All the fish examined contained abundant CSPGs in the head cartilage. Comprehensive analysis of CS structure in PGs derived from 10 bony fishes revealed that the structure of CS derived from Perciformes was similar to that of CS derived from cartilage of terrestrial animals. Furthermore, compositions of other PGs, collagens and matrix proteins in the skull of sturgeons were similar to that of salmon nasal cartilage.

By Nicole Kerr