Ingredia acquires bioactive peptides startup
The company said the acquisition of 100% of the pharmaceutical startup’s shares was part of a move to strengthen its position within bioactive milk peptides and enter the pain management market.
Bioactive peptides are natural milk components, and the subject of research for possible functional qualities and health benefits. Ingredia said such products hold potential since, unlike some pharmaceutical molecules, they do not generally have associated side effects.
Active in bioactives
Discussing the take-over, Ingredia’s CEO, Matthieu Arguillère, said: “This acquisition is going to enable Ingredia to strengthen its position as a market leader in bioactive milk peptides by highlighting two of our recent patents.”
The startup, established in 2011, specialises in the commodification of bioactive peptides for the pharmaceutical industry. Ingredia added that after further clinical trials, the acquisition of Galactis Pharma would allow Ingredia to enter the pain management market.
The company sites digestive health, stress management and anti-microbial qualities as areas for consideration for bioactive peptides. Meanwhile the firm said other peptides display a cholesterol-lowering action, offer immunomodulating properties and facilitate minerals transportation.
Functional dairy
The takeover would fall within the company’s nutrional business unit which already contains its patented stress-management ingredient Lactium. At the end of 2012, Ingredia bought all its added-value dairy and functional foods under one unit called Ingredia Functional in an attempt to be “nearer to customers’ expectations and activity”.
