Zooca and Lehvoss partner to distribute zooplankton-based Calanus oil on the European market
Zooca, the Norway-based biotechnology research company behind Calanus oil, has signed an agreement with the UK Lehvoss Group to distribute the product in Europe. The oil is based on the zooplankton Calanus finmarchicus and may benefit metabolic health and healthy aging.
“We are thrilled to partner with a leading group such as Lehvoss, whose distribution expertise, client base and excellent reputation in Europe will help us meet increasing demand and realize the potential of Zooca Calanus oil on the European market,” says Ole Kristian Sakkestad, chief sales officer at Zooca.
Marianne Maehlum, chief marketing and innovation officer at Zooca, adds: “We have always been dedicated to maintaining the nutritional value of our products, and several clinical trials have revealed significant health benefits from consuming our Calanus oil products.”
The enterprise specializes in the development, production and sale of unique functional health and nutrition products — Zooca Calanus Oil, Zooca Original for human consumption, Zooca Hydrolysate, Zooca Powder and Zooca Sea frozen (a feed ingredient in the aquaculture industry, including for salmon, marine fish and shrimp).
Teresita Rudà, head of marketing and brand positioning for Lehvoss Nutrition, comments: “We are excited to add Zooca’s unique and nutritious Calanus finmarchicus-based products to our science-based portfolio, bringing even more value to our customers in Europe and making our offering of high-quality, sustainable ingredients even more attractive and distinctive.”
Health benefits
Calanus is an oil derived from Calanus finmarchicus, a type of zooplankton with a natural composition that may be beneficial to metabolic health and promote healthy aging. Zooca states that this source material is “highly sustainable,” as the Calanus finmarchicus are the largest renewable animal resource in the Norwegian Sea.
The company has conducted clinical trials that support the efficacy of Calanus. It now sets out to bring this product to the European market, targeting the metabolic health for healthy aging space.
The oil offers a unique and broad spectrum lipid profile with 40 different fatty acids (omega-3s, omega-7s, omega 11s), marine policosanols and a high concentration of naturally occurring astaxanthin.
The newly announced partnership will make Zooca available to a broader audience, and help Lehvoss UK’s Nutritional Business Unit to expand its portfolio with the Zooca Calanus oil ready-made capsules and bulk oil formats.
Zooca further asserts: “This distribution agreement marks a significant milestone for both companies and reinforces our shared commitment to delivering high-quality, science-backed, unique functional health and nutrition products to customers and consumers in Europe.”
