Weekly Roundup: Nestlé launches petcare start-up accelerator program, Stada acquires 15 GlaxoSmithKline healthcare brands

28 Feb 2020 --- In nutrition news this week, Nestlé launched an accelerator program for petcare start-ups under its Purina umbrella program to help animal health-oriented start-ups’ businesses successfully take off sustainably. Stada is set to acquire 15 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) healthcare brands within the next few months in a bid to strengthen its growth and expand into more markets. To avoid false marketing, the US National Advertising Division referred CannaPure’s cannabidiol (CBD) oil advertising claims to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Meanwhile, research from the Quadram Institute, UK, revealed pork cuts have less fat than they did 30 years ago, but a US study found drinking dairy milk can potentially increase the risk of breast cancer.

In brief: Launches and releases
As part of its Purina innovation program, Nestlé launched a new petcare accelerator program called Unleashed. The program aims to identify and support dynamic and creative start-ups that integrate science and technologies into innovative products and services for pets. Starting in July 2020, the program will provide start-ups access to pet health and nutrition expertise, proof of concept funding, as well as established commercial networks. With its programs starting in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Nestlé is currently calling for additional start-ups to join its ranks, which will then be evaluated for the relevance of their business idea, scalability and business model sustainability. Each selected start-up will receive funding up to CHF 50,000 (US$51,853). Applications for the first call will close at the end of March. 

Life Extension's Geroprotect Stem Cell. In partnership with Insilico Medicine, Life Extension used artificial intelligence (AI) to formulate Geroprotect Stem Cell, a dietary supplement that helps promote cell signaling pathways to support healthy tissue maintenance and longevity. Life Extension sharpened its focus on the use of cutting-edge technologies to identify a combination of phytonutrients – the piceatannol from passion fruit, trans-resveratrol and garcinol from kokum fruit – that support stem cell health. Geroprotect Stem Cell also encourages the body’s natural process for managing senescent stem cells, which supports normal stem cells function.

Sibelius Natural Products introduced its branded ingredient “Sibelius: Sage” as a milled format to extend the ingredient’s application profile. The dried sage extract is touted as helping enhance memory and maintain cognitive health. Its new milled format will enable manufacturers to utilize the sage in the formulation of beverages, powder drinks, jellies, gummies and other products. This allows consumers to get their brain boost from a wide variety of finished products. Milled Sibelius: Sage is delivered in smaller particles for increased dispersion and is also available as a raw extract or formulated product.

In brief: Business news
Stada expects to close 15 acquisitions of GSK healthcare brands in Q2 2020. The move is pegged as strengthening Stada’s position as a consumer healthcare player and supporting its growth acceleration. The new portfolio includes cold and flu, pain and skincare brands, with the 15 brands hailing from across 40 countries and multiple therapeutic areas from GSK. The proposed transaction comes after Stada snapped up five of GSK’s over-the-counter skincare brands – Ceridal, Eurax, Oilatum, Polytar and Savlon. No financial details will be disclosed of the asset-purchase agreement for full rights.

CannaPure CBD oil made a host of medical claims that may mislead and misinform consumers.Grade A Nutraceutical came under fire by the FTC for making claims about how its CannaPure CBD oil can treat a host of medical conditions. Some of the advertising claims subject to FTC review and “possible enforcement action” include “fighting cancer cells”, “helps patients with diabetes” and “increases brain function,” while also being referred to as “miracle medicine.” Meanwhile, the FTC continues to distribute warning letters to companies making claims about the potential for CBD to prevent, cure or treat a disease. 

Barrington Nutritionals will distribute GC Rieber Oils’ VivoMega omega 3 fish oils to the US and Mexican markets. Having recently expanded its production capacity by 60 percent, GC Rieber Oils, which is based in Norway, produces potent, stable and pure omega 3 concentrates for the supplements market. Its expansion also includes a new concentration production facility to deliver high DHA and EPA fish oils, up to 800 mg per g. CG Rieber Oils considers the partnership with Barrington Nutritionals ideal given the latter’s multiple warehouse locations and logistical expertise.

In brief: Research and studies
Fat levels in UK pork have dropped in the last 30 years, new research from the Quadram Institute, UK, revealed. This may have been caused by new breeds, changes in diet and supplementation, as well as by newer cuts like pork medallions, which were not previously tested. Moreover, modern pork cuts remain a source of a wide range of nutrients like vitamins E and B12, as well as niacin, selenium and thiamin. Public Health England (PHE) affirms it will use the results to update McCance and Widdowson’s Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset, which is the “go-to” reference for food composition information in the UK. Meanwhile, the researchers plan to extend their research to a wider nutritional review of all red meats in the future.

Fat levels in pork cuts have dropped in the past 30 years, the UK study found. Even relatively moderate amounts of dairy milk can increase the risk of breast cancer. This is according to a new observational study conducted at Loma Linda University Health, US, which found that higher intakes of calories from dairy and dairy milk itself were associated with greater risk of breast cancer, independent of soy intake. “By drinking up to one cup per day, the associated risk went up to 50 percent. For those drinking two to three cups per day, the risk increased up to 80 percent,” says Dr. Gary Fraser, the study’s lead author. He notes that this might be explained by the sex hormone content of dairy milk, as often about 75 percent of the the lactating dairy herd is pregnant. The study’s data further raises the possibility that dairy milk alternatives may be a more healthy choice for some people.

Bergacyn, a patented, clean label botanical extract blend produced by DolCas Biotech, can reduce liver steatosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in Type 2 diabetes, according to a new clinical study. The 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study divided 80 participants into four treatment groups: placebo, 600 mg Bergacyn, 600 mg of a stand-alone bergamot extract blend and an equivalently dosed cynara extract blend. It found that Bergacyn differentiated itself from the other interventions by more substantially reducing both aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase – liver damage enzymes that define the more destructives stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages daily was linked to a 98 percent higher incidence of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), also known as “good” cholesterol, and a 53 percent higher incidence in high triglyceride levels, compared to those who drank less than one serving per month. This is according to the American Heart Association, which also found that drinking up to 12 oz of 100 percent fruit juice per day was not associated with adverse changes in blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels. This research reinforces industry’s current understanding of the potential negative impact sugary drinks have on blood cholesterol. 

By Anni Schleicher