Hofseth Biocare expands international distribution deal with IMCD

16-Apr-2021 - Last updated on 16-Apr-2021 at 08:50 GMT

HBC's ingredients are produced by upcycling the cast-offs from its parent company’s salmon business: Hofseth International is a major player in the global salmon business and the largest exporter of Norwegian salmon to the US. Image: © Richard Ernest Yap / Getty Images

Norways’s Hofseth BioCare (HBC) has expanded its internation distribution deal for its salmon-derived portfolio of ingredients with IMCD, headquartered in the Netherlands.

As reported by NutraIngredients-USA, HBC is eying significant global growth in 2021 for its three flagship ingredients: ProGo (bioactive peptides); OmeGo (salmon oil); and CalGo (collagenic hydroxyapatite calcium).

The ingredients offer solutions for a range of health end-points, including iron status, weight management, inflammation, bone and joint health, and heart health.

The company had originally inked a deal with IMCD for the distribution in 16 countries, including the USA and Canada. IMCD has already successfully developed a taste masked formulation concept for OmeGo. The new agreement extends IMCD’s exclusive distribution of HBC’s marine branded products to include most of Europe.

“I’m pleased that this partnership is set to increase the availability of European consumers to our all-natural, non-GMO and additive-free products,” commented Roger Hofseth, Chief Executive of Hofseth Biocare ASA. “Our large investments in both manufacturing and scientific research made over the past few years continue to bear fruit.”

Bora Turan, Nutraceuticals Director from IMCD, added: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with HBC to the European market. HBC’s innovative, holistic, and science-based product portfolio combined with IMCD’s strong formulation expertise, such as OmeGo gummies and ProGo gel formula, will enable us to serve well our customers while meeting their aspirations for a healthier lifestyle.”

Garden of Life deal

HBC recently received its first purchase orders from Garden of Life for ProGo, with the Nestlé-owned brand planning to launch new ProGo consumer protein products online and in the North American markets later this year.

Structure-function claims for ProGo in the US include: “supports healthy levels of ferritin and hemoglobin levels”, “helps maintain iron-rich blood”, “promotes energy utilization”, “supports red blood cell production”, “supports gastrointestinal and immune system health” and “assists in iron absorption from your daily diet”.

The protein hydrolysate upregulates a gene called FTH1, and this work helped the company achieve a label claim from Health Canada around ferritin and hemoglobin.

Published data also supports ProGo’s potential for weight management, muscle growth, sports nutrition, and perhaps even anti-sarcopenic effects.

OmegGo is positioned for heart, cognitive, eye and joint health, with data from HBC studies showing that the oil may reduce levels serum levels of oxLDL-GP, an independent biomarker of cardiovascular risk.

CalGo, a microcrystalline hydroxyapatite form of calcium that also contains phosphorus and collagen, is positioned for bone and joint health.

HBC works with DKSH for distribution of its products in China, India, Japan and Korea.