Danisco and TNO Look to Probiotic Strains for Weight Management
TNO conducted, in collaboration with the Dutch University of Groningen, a multi-yearly R&D program on exopolysaccharides. This program led to the discovery that some exopolysaccharides could be used in weight management applications.
07/09/07 The Dutch Research Institute TNO signed an exclusive licensing global agreement with the leading food ingredient manufacturer Danisco for the use of TNO’s results and patents on exopolysaccharide-producing probiotic strains for weight management.
Over the past few years, TNO conducted, in collaboration with the Dutch University of Groningen, a multi-yearly R&D program on exopolysaccharides. This program led to the discovery that some exopolysaccharides could be used in weight management applications. These findings were eventually assessed in a GCP (Good Clinical Practice) human study conducted on 65 adults in 2006 at TNO premises in Zeist, Netherlands.
“We are very pleased that our research effort and expertise in health-promoting bioactive ingredients will result in commercial applications creating value for the food industry which is TNO’s mission”, says Dr. Hans Boumans, Product Manager Food Ingredients at TNO.
“This agreement is the achievement of a long-term relationship between Danisco and TNO and we hope to see many new food applications in the expanding weight management business” states Mark Kats, Business Developer at TNO.
“Danisco Cultures has build a core competency platform on Cultures producing exopolysaccharides as well as HOWARU probiotics for Health. We are now looking forward to opening new perspectives to food and supplement manufacturers with innovative applications in the near future”, confirms Didier Carcano, VP Marketing Innovation for Danisco Culture division.
Overweight and obesity are one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. In America more than 60% of the population is obese and in some European countries this percentage is almost similar. Obesity is one of the contributing causes to a large number of diseases: cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome and arthritis. Considering the large numbers of obese people and the risks involved, there is great attention from both governments and the food industry to look for solutions to these problems.
