Aker BioMarine, with U.S. headquarters in Seattle, WA, has asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reexamine a new patent Neptune received for its krill oil extraction process. “Aker BioMarine shows in its request that extractions of krill performed before Neptune’s purported invention produced oils containing these phospholipids, although the USPTO was not previously informed of these facts, was not provided with copies of the relevant publications, and was not informed of proceedings in the European patent office in which Neptune’s related European patent was ruled invalid,” according to an Aker press release.

Thorne Research, Inc., of Sandpoint, ID, and Indena of Milan, Italy entered into an agreement whereby Indena will offer some of its current products and develop new botanical ingredients for dietary supplements to be made by Thorne.

Eagan, MN-based Biothera worked with the United States Pharmacopeia to create the first official monograph for beta glucan from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae). The monograph was included in the Third Supplement of the Seventh Edition of the Food Chemicals Codex.

Santa Fe Springs, CA-based NHK Laboratories, Inc. was recertified by Quality Assurance International as an organic processor.

Ingredients By Nature completed the first phase of its new manufacturing facility in Montclair, CA. The new plant features state-of-the-art, manufacturing equipment for processing ingredients to customers’ specifications.

Eugene, OR-based Yellow Emperor, Inc. is now certified organic and can offer clients the certified organic claim (and the Oregon Tilth Organic Certification label review process).

Horphag Research, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has launched Horphag Research Nutrition, a new division focused on developing opportunities for Pycnogenol in the functional food and beverage sector. Markus Beba and David Johnston were hired to run the division.

Sabinsa Corporation’s Payson, UT facility was audited and International Food Standard (IFS) certified by Det Norske Veritas for the second year.

Cyanotech of Kailua-Kona, HI filed a new dietary ingredient (NDI) notice with FDA for 12-mg daily dosage of BioAstin natural astaxanthin and it is now permitted.

DSM Nutritional Products, headquartered in Switzerland, formed Nutritional Lipids, which will combine Martek’s algal DHA omega-3 and ARA omega-6 products with DSM Nutritional Products’ polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) portfolio.

Zug, Switzerland-based WILD Flavors GmbH acquired some assets of the A.M. Todd Group, Inc. of Kalamazoo, MI.

Kaneka Corporation has dropped a court challenge against Zhejiang Medicine Co., Ltd. (ZMC) pending in Texas. The company is currently suing ZMC for patent infringement and sent letters to distributors notifying them of its infringement claims against ZMC. ZMC felt the letters cost a loss of business, and the courts told Kaneka to withdraw the letters. Kaneka, however, felt its action were legal and brought the case to court. In a press statement, Kaneka stated it was “far more expedient” to dismiss this lawsuit.

Lonza is celebrating 40 years of niacin production in Visp, Switzerland. A new vitamin B3 manufacturing facility will open in Nansha, China late next year.

Vancouver, WA-based Bergstrom Nutrition has FSSC22000 registration for food safety and quality management systems.

In a survey of 374 diabetes educators, Zychrome brand chromium dinicocysteinate came out on top over chromium picolinate. After looking at research data, over 88% of the group felt this branded ingredient (from InterHealth Nutraceuticals of Benicia, CA) was better than chromium picolinate for insulin management. More than 70% would recommend it for this purpose.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, November 2011