Pharma vitamins are the next big thing: DSM

“Vitamins and minerals in pharmaceutical applications are coming fast,” ​André Bos told us, in reference to firms the world’s biggest nutrient supplier was working with – and the macro-trend of governments cutting back on unsustainable healthcare costs as chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity spiral around the world.

He said a constant was widespread micronutrient deficiencies and that higher-dose products were gaining appeal to bridge them – along with food supplements and regular food.

A greater use of vitamin and mineral products in hospitals was one example, with more hospitals in Japan and China giving patients vitamin C for instance to boost immune systems.

“The world needs to reduce healthcare costs,” ​Bos said. “It’s a new era for vitamins. We are engaged in some trials, we are working with start-ups, because the big pharma companies need a lot of data – they need the drug master file.”​

“But the trend is clear – big pharma is coming to vitamins. It’s a fascinating arena.”​

Dutch-Swiss DSM had sales of about €4bn​​ in the first half of 2016.