An extract of three herbal roots, Cynanchum wilfordii, Hemsley, Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. and Angelica gigas Nakai (EstroG -100™) just received a novel food authorization under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 (21st March 2018). This novel food ingredient can be used in food supplements intended for post-menopausal women. Prior to the authorization, there was a safety assessment by EFSA [...]
Borderline cases in medical devices are considered to be those where it is not clear from the outset whether a given product is or is not a medical device. The European Commission released recently an update of the manual on borderline cases. Despite the fact that this is not legally binding, there is a high [...]
Let's meet at Vitafoods Europe 2018 – Booth E75! Do you have questions regarding regulations, scientific marketing, strategic innovation, licensing and matchmaking, or clinical research? Our team is passionate about the power of natural health products. We bring our expertise, enthusiasm, and creativity to delivering tailor-made innovation solutions that make [...]
a&r’s News Digest – We dedicate this month’s issue to borderline cases for substance-based medical devices, novel food authorization for triple root extract, corrections to the Union List of Novel Foods and proof of tradition after UK’s withdrawal from the Union. […]
However, nine years after its enforcement in 2009, an evaluation by the EU Commission brought to light that, in practice, this regulation does not work satisfactorily. The EU has now agreed on an action plan to facilitate the Mutual Recognition process. The Mutual Recognition regulation EU 764/2008 was set up to support the free [...]
Due to the lack of action from the EU Commission defining maximum levels for vitamins and minerals, as was foreseen in the directive 2002/46/EC, more and more Member States are setting their own maximum levels. After Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy, and France, now the Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a decree containing maximum [...]
A large clinical trial with 900 subjects included over three winter seasons has been successfully completed for the Swedish company Probi AB to investigate the immune enhancing impact of the probiotic immune concept Probi Defendum®. For more information, please click here. Immune health is one of a&r's core competencies – please contact us if you are interested [...]
a&r’s News Digest – We dedicate this month’s issue to the mutual recognition guidance and EFSA’s scientific opinion on health claims. […]
Infant nutrition is regulated under the same ruling as FSMPs ((EU) No 609/2013). Due to the strict regulations, innovation in infant nutrition formulations is a complex and lengthy process. The requirements for safety and tolerability of the ingredients and final products are in a tough regulatory environment, as we are dealing in most cases [...]
With the aim to improve the enforcement of the regulatory framework and finally to protect the consumer, the Food for Specific Groups regulation (EU) No 609/2013 abolished the previous PARNUT concept in 2016. Later, the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/128 was published with updates for the specific requirements for the labelling and composition of [...]
MeriCal, a contract manufacturer and packager of high quality probiotics and nutritional supplements, has recently signed a final commercial agreement to acquire Global Health Industries (GHI).
GHI is highly specialized in the manufacturing of probiotics. MeriCal’s acquisition of GHI will increase market competitiveness and will drive international expansion.
In September, color-ingredients manufacturer Roha (India) completed the acquisition of New Foods Industry S.p.A., an Italian company.
Roha is a leader in the color-ingredients market worldwide, and New Foods Industry is specialized in dry ingredients for the food and beverage industries.
This is the third acquisition for Roha during this year, enabling its further consolidation in the color business.
Relevium has signed a non-binding agreement to acquire an American nutraceutical e-brand that sell their products mainly through Amazon.
Relevium is a publicly traded company focused on growth through the acquisition of businesses, products and/or technologies with a focus on e-commerce in the growing health and wellness market. The value of this transaction is currently estimated at 1,15 mill EUR and it is foreseen to be closed on the 30th of November this year.
Last summer, Relevium completed the acquisition of BioGanix, another e-commerce brand and they have plans to conclude more transactions with e-retail brands in the future.
Frutarom licensed AB-FORTIS in 2012 and now is buying the patent. AB-Fortis is a micro-encapsulation system that allows delivering 100% of the recommended daily amount of iron in a single dose, with high bioavailability and no adverse effects in taste or during digestion. “AB-Fortis expands Frutarom’s diverse product portfolio in the growing field of specialty healthy ingredients,” says Dr Raimund C. Hoenes, General Manager of Frutarom Health. With this transaction, AB-BIOTICS will focus on its probiotics business, which represents 87% of its total sale. In addition, the sales of AB-FORTIS will support the great R&D investment that AB-BIOTICS has done to reinforce their current probiotics concepts.
Walgreens has announced that it will invest $416 million to acquire 40% stake in Sinopharm Holding GuoDa Drug Store Co., Ltd (GuoDa). Walgreens is the second-largest pharmacy store chain in the US behind CVS Health. GuoDa retails pharmaceutical and healthcare products across China.
Walgreens was already present in China through Alliance Boots. This new investment highlights the interest of Walgreens in the Chinese fast-paced retail pharmacy business.
Walgreens investment took place in the same week that CVS announced to spend $69 billion to buy Aetna, the third largest health insurer in the U.S. CVS also has international operations but has not revealed interest in China yet.
Earlier this month, Nestlé announced that it agreed to acquire Atrium Innovations (transaction to be completed Q1 2018). Atrium is globally recognized for the development, production, and commercialization of innovative and scientifically-proven natural health products. Its strategy is complementary with Nestlé science-based natural solutions for consumers and health care professionals. With this acquisition, Nestlé will extend its consumer healthcare nutrition portfolio, and Atrium will compete more effectively in the global market place.
A clear evidence that silos between industries will be breaking down in the future.
Global ingredients company DSM has acquired Biocare Copenhagen, expanding their gut health portfolio for an undisclosed price. With this acquisition, DSM will increase its gut health portfolio with probiotics. The company has showed interest in gut health ingredients beyond the well-known indications for digestive and immune health.
It has been reported by Bloomberg that Nestle is currently the top bidder for Merck KGaA’s, offering up to $5 billion. According to the sources, companies previously interested in this business have dropped out of the bidding, including Perrigo and Bain and Cinven, while Reckitt Benckiser and Mylan are still in the running. Nestle, frontrunner at the moment, has been strengthening its health business, and acquired Atrium Innovations for $2.3 billion last month.
