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24 November 2023 — With a focus on innovation and efficiency, the recently launched partnership between the Italian botanical extract manufacturer Indena and dsm-firmenich is to develop new products that combine phytonutrients with essential nutrients backed by science.
Nutrition Insights sits down with Martin Dos Ramos, Vice President of dietary supplements at dsm-firmenich, to discuss the role of science and innovation in health solutions that the partners aim to develop.
“Our strategic partnership with Indena will provide next-generation botanical solutions for nutritional supplements. Together, we plan to create science-backed product formulations for delivery in market-ready nutrient premixes and solutions, helping our customers innovate faster with botanicals and streamline their operations .”
“In addition to bringing together the scientific expertise of both companies, this new partnership will leverage dsm-firmenich’s taste, taste masks and product formulation capabilities to enhance the taste of nutritional science.”
According to Dos Ramos, the partnership plans to launch new products immediately, after presenting the first samples of co-developed botanical solutions at this year’s SupplySide West trade show in the US.
Future supplement solutions will combine science-backed essential nutrients with phytonutrients with strong consumer appeal into new product formats that offer an enjoyable consumer experience.
R&D in supplements
The partnership is deeply rooted in science and innovation, says Dos Ramos.
“Indena has a rich history of pioneering research and development in the botanical space. Dsm-firmenich is a science-based company with a broad portfolio of essential nutrients (vitamins, dietary lipids, biotics, carotenoids and nutraceuticals), best-in-class flavor and coating capabilities and expertise in premixed and market-ready solutions .”
New supplement solutions will combine essential nutrients backed by science with phytonutrients.The Italian botanical extract manufacturer brings its extracts, its expertise in extraction technologies and phyto-nutritional science to the Solutions dsm-firmenich business, emphasizes Dos Ramos.
He also says that the two companies will also collaborate on research programs.
“Together, we will advance science and progress to take dietary supplement solutions to the next level. For our customers, this will open up new avenues of innovation and the opportunity to design nutritional solutions in previously challenging formats to create a better user experience with even stronger science-backed health benefits.”
Mix herbs for health
Dos Ramos highlights that it is challenging to combine botanical extracts with essential nutrients – such as omega-3s, vitamins, carotenoids and pre, pro and postbiotics -.
“Introducing ingredients at the levels needed to provide health benefits tends to compromise sensory experience, limiting applications to traditional capsules and tablets. This new strategic partnership enables us to challenge this and offer effective solutions in a variety of attractive formats that consumers appreciate.”
“Our understanding of botanical ingredients continues to expand, with promising research showing their benefits for immunity, digestive health, mental well-being, heart health and more.”
He adds that the partnership aims to “create human health solutions backed by rigorous science, clinical testing and cutting-edge delivery technologies. We are exploring novel avenues by exploring combinations of essential nutrients and essential herbs.”
Co-developed solutions
The prototypes presented at SupplySide West included solutions for health benefits, such as brain health, women’s health, gut health, healthy aging, immunity and eye health, shares Dos Ramos.
He says all the prototypes contained high concentrations of active ingredients and were offered in palatable product formats, including gummies, ready-to-mix powder stick packs and swallowable gels.
“We plan to work closely with our customers to develop customized botanical nutritional supplements in all corners of the world to support our customers’ innovation efforts and elevate the consumer experience around the world.”
“For example, we designed a brain health nutritional supplement solution – available in a gummy format – that provides fast-acting brain support to help optimize cognitive performance.”
Dos Ramos explains that the solution contains a combination of Virtiva Plus – a trademark of Indena – with DHA of life and vitamin Quali B12, both dsm-firmenich brands.
Indena and dsm-firmenich will also collaborate on research programs.“Another example is our new nutritional supplement solution for immunity, which contains ampli-D, Quercefit and zinc in a convenient, on-the-go powder stick format. ampli-D [from dsm-firmenich] is an innovative and more bioavailable form of vitamin D that has been shown to increase vitamin D levels in weeks rather than months.”
“Quercefit is a unique formulation of quercetin that provides improved bioavailability (up to 20 times more) thanks to Indena’s pioneering Phytosome technology.”
He added that the ingredient, traded by Indena, has antioxidant properties, provides immune support and may reduce the body’s response to allergens.
“The Age of Nature”
Today’s consumers are interested in effective ingredients backed by science, natural solutions and pleasant formats over tablets and capsules, asserts Dos Ramos.
He adds that dsm-firmenich and Indena have come together to lead innovation in the global nutritional, botanical market to provide solutions relevant to the needs of these consumers.
“The initiative represents the emergence of a new era – an era we have called a new ‘Age of Nature’,” says Dos Ramos.
The jointly developed solutions will target specific areas of health, such as brain, gut, eye and women’s health, as well as healthy aging and immunity support.
“We are excited about the scientific possibilities this partnership will achieve, especially within the field of nutritional supplements,” concludes Dos Ramos.
By Jolanda van Hal
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