Valensa will use the omega-3 phospholipids of Aker BioMarine’s Superba krill oil, in conjunction with several of its own proprietary ingredients such as Zanthin Natural Astaxanthin to extend its current platform of patented and patent-pending formulations.
Dr Rudi Moerck, Valensa’s president and chief executive officer, told NutraIngredients-USA.com: “We could find nothing in the plant world that would perform as well as Aker BioMarine’s krill oil."
Joint and eye health
Moerck identifies significant potential for his company to launch products based on krill formulations. “Joint and eye health are major concerns for many people including the aging baby-boomer population who want small dosage forms that are easy to use on a regular basis,” he said.
“The increased potency of formulas containing krill allows formulators and marketers to substantially reduce the size of their softgels and dramatically reduce the overall pill burden on people. Incorporating enriched krill into exciting new proprietary products for joint health and eye health, allows Valensa the opportunity to address a range of market and consumer needs,” he said.
Both companies have pledged to jointly perform clinical studies to document the properties of Superba Krill Oil as an ingredient in Valensa’s patented and patent-pending formulations.
Matts Johansen, Aker BioMarine’s executive vice president of Sales and Marketing said: “We are very excited about the opportunity to work with Valensa, and this agreement marks the entry of Superba Krill Oil into the joint health market, the largest category of dietary supplements, representing $3.4bn in US alone.
“As such, joint health is close to 300 percent larger than the cardiovascular health category.”
Valensa Omega-3 brands include Tresalbio Supercritical Chia Seed Extract ChiaGold Stabilized Chia Seed Oil, ChiaMax Low-Fat Whole Grain, Z-Omega, 3-6-9, Cranberol Cranberry Seed Extract and AstaCran and Astaxanthin-Cranberry Seed Extract.
The Valensa/Aker BioMarine partnership follows Valensa’s decision last month to end a similar agreement with Neptune Technologies & Biorresources following what the company describes as, “… irreconcilable differences between the two companies over the ability of Neptune to deliver the product it had promised and differing interpretations of agreement language.”
Discussions with Aker began after the agreement with Neptune ended, stressed Moerck.