Weekly Roundup: Nestlé Health Science partners on microbiome therapeutic, Kadenwood raises US$50M for CBD

02 Jul 2021 --- In nutrition news this week, Seres Therapeutics joined Nestlé Health Science to commercialize what could become the first-ever FDA-approved microbiome therapeutic. Phynova Group and Lus Health Ingredients partnered to promote mulberry leaf extract Reducose, and CBD company Kadenwood raised US$50 million of cash and media value in a series B fundraising round. 

In brief: Business news 
Seres Therapeutics entered into an agreement with Nestlé Health Science to jointly commercialize SER-109, Seres’ investigational oral microbiome therapeutic for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, in the US and Canada. If approved, SER-109 would become the first-ever FDA-approved microbiome therapeutic. Under the terms of the agreement, Nestlé Health Science will utilize its global pharmaceutical business Aimmune Therapeutics and will assume the role of lead commercialization party. Seres will receive license payments of US$175 million upfront and an additional US$125 million upon FDA approval of SER-109. The agreement also includes sales target milestones that could total up to US$225 million if achieved. 

Phynova Group and Lus Health Ingredients entered a partnership for Reducose, Phynova’s clinically researched white mulberry leaf extract. The product assists reduction in glucose uptake from carbohydrate-rich meals with a 40 percent higher value than other market products, according to the company. Reducose has no reported side effects, is vegan, natural, allergen-free and is backed by six human clinical studies. Lus Health will help connect consumers with the product. 

New Zealand researchers are investigating kiwifruit’s potential impact on sleep quality.Lonza published a restated financial report for 2020 before its upcoming half-year 2021 report. The restated results reclassify the company’s Specialty Ingredients business following its decision to divest the segment in July last year. As of January 2021, the former Pharma, Biotech & Nutrition segment was also split into four divisions - Small Molecules, Biologics, Cell & Gene1 and Capsules & Health Ingredients. The restated financials for 2020 at a divisional level are now provided for sales and core EBITDA.

Univar Solutions expanded its distribution agreement with Tata Chemicals, making Univar Solutions the exclusive distributor of Tata’s range of prebiotic dietary fibers. This will include distributing Fossence and Gossence across the Eastern and Central US. The addition of these two products to Univar’s portfolio, which is produced using Tata’s proprietary in-house developed fermentation technology, is intended to help provide food and nutraceutical manufacturers in the US with a greater range of prebiotic options.

CBD company Kadenwood raised US$50 million of cash and media value in a series B fundraising round. The round is led by global, purpose-led investment house The Craftory and Arcadian Capital Management and follow-on investments from existing investors. Earlier this month, Kadenwood acquired the pioneering UK-based CBD wellness brand, Healist Advanced Naturals, and Social CBD to create the largest retail CBD distribution network in the US. 

In brief: Launches and releases 
US-based Envisionary Life launched a product line using Proprietary Liposomal Nutrient Delivery Technology (LNDT), a technology that encapsulates liposomes and produces 15-times more nutrient absorption in its products. Based on the work of a Nobel laureate-led team, the company is using LNDT to produce highly bioavailable plant protein powder, sleep-inducing supplements and antibacterial hand cream. 

US-based myLab Box launched an at-home food sensitivity test to offer personalized information on how consumers’ bodies react to 96 common foods. myLAB Box’s test offers five levels of sensitivity, two more than standard food sensitivity tests on the market, the company claims. A telehealth consultation service is also provided to any customers who receive an “abnormal” test result. 

In brief: Associations and regulations 
Lallemand Health Solutions joined the 23 members of the Alliance Promotion Microbiote, a newly formed association aimed atEnvisionary Life’s LNDT technology makes its products 15 times more bioavailable than market standards, says the company. “placing the microbiome at the heart of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for better health.” This initiative brings together key players in the microbiome sector to solidify France’s position in the segment. The coalition is committed to developing and securing access to therapies for patients through new therapeutic perspectives and technological advances (such as AI).

Pullulan was added to the US Department of Agriculture’s National List of Allowed Substances. The rule, which enters into effect on July 26, 2021, permits the continued use of pullulan in encapsulated herbs marketed as “made with organic [specified ingredients or food group(s)].” Pullulan is a natural extracellular polysaccharide excreted by the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans, which has seen common use in the manufacture of dietary supplement tablets and capsules. Pullulan is also the only non-synthetic substance available for vegetarian dietary supplement capsules certified under the USDA National Organic Program. 

The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that neuropathy treatment group Life Renew discontinue claims for its NerveRenew dietary supplement, following challenges issued by the Council for Responsible Nutrition. Claims included “100 percent Stabilized R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) is our most important ingredient;” “Three times Greater Bioavailability;” and “It contains the most powerful and clinically studied forms of B vitamins, Stabilized R Alpha Lipoic Acid, anti-oxidants and herbal extracts. All the ingredients have been included in clinical studies and provide a synergistic effect when taken together.” NerveRenew is touted as an alternative treatment for people who have suffered from nerve damage. The NAD determined that insufficient evidence and lack of proper clinical studies warranted discontinuation of the claims. 

In brief: Research and studies 
Microbiome scientists from the Quadram Institute (QI) in the Norwich Research Park, UK, unveiled a website detailing “Best Practice in Microbiome Research.” The website contains freely accessible protocols developed for microbiome studies, which will be updated to keep pace with the rapidly evolving field of microbiome research. The site’s creators note a “staggering lack” of reproducibility among the more than 50,000 microbiome research articles produced over the past 20 years. To address this, QI is providing protocols on automation and informatics, sampling size, data collection and other areas through the site. 

A study examining the effects of green kiwifruit on sleep quality and the sleep-wake cycle in healthy males has been awarded US$31,800 in funding over 12 months by the High-Value Nutrition (HVN) Ko Ngā Kai Whai Painga National Science Challenge in New Zealand. The study builds on previous research, which showed that sleep quality is improved with the daily consumption of two Aotearoa New Zealand green kiwifruit for four weeks. The team will investigate whether the consumption of fresh green kiwifruit (without skin) will improve sleep quality outcomes and increase the urinary concentration of metabolites central in regulating sleep-wake cycles.

By Louis Gore-Langton