DSM Establishes Nutritional Lipids, Sells Personalized Nutrition to Viocare

Nutritional Lipids will leverage Martek’s technology and market position in the U.S., and DSM Nutritional Products’ unique global asset footprint, marketing and sales, and premix network.

Sep 13 2011 --- DSM Nutritional Products has announced the formation of Nutritional Lipids that will combine Martek’s algal DHA omega-3 and ARA omega-6 products and DSM Nutritional Products’ polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) portfolio, making DSM the world’s leading innovator and supplier in this category.

Nutritional Lipids will focus on developing and positioning innovative nutritional lipids products. The business will leverage Martek’s technology and market position in the U.S., and DSM Nutritional Products’ unique global asset footprint, marketing and sales, and premix network to capture significant global growth opportunities and accelerate international expansion.

In a large and growing body of scientific evidence nutritional lipids have shown significant health benefits and support brain, eye and cardiovascular health throughout life. Leading experts around the world have noted that healthy lipids such as DHA, EPA and ARA are important nutrients for health throughout the life cycle, yet many consumers do not include enough in their daily diets. The nutritional lipids category of health and nutrition ingredients is science-based, fast growing and in an early stage of development, with significant growth opportunities. Products from DSM’s Nutritional Lipids portfolio can already be found in more than 400 brands of infant formula, nutritional supplements, functional foods and animal feeds sold worldwide.

Peter A. Nitze, who joined Martek in 2005 and held the position of COO at the time of the acquisition, will lead Nutritional Lipids as President and will be based in Columbia, Md. (United States). Steve Dubin, Martek’s CEO at the time of acquisition, will also be assuming a new role at DSM to be announced at a later date. David Abramson, Martek’s President at the time of acquisition, has been appointed Senior Executive Advisor for DSM Nutritional Products.

The announcement was followed by news that Royal DSM has sold DSM Personalized Nutrition, LLC to Viocare, Inc. (Princeton, New Jersey, United States). DSM will remain involved in the business as a minority shareholder in Viocare through DSM Venturing. Financial details of the transaction will not be disclosed.

Personalized Nutrition was an Emerging Business Area in the Innovation Center. As announced in September 2010, the focus was moved to other EBA’s and Personalized Nutrition activities were to be partnered, exited or transferred to other parts of DSM. DSM Personalized Nutrition’s corporate wellness business will become part of Viocare’s operations, and a representative of DSM Venturing will join Viocare’s Board of Directors.

Rob van Leen, Chief Innovation Officer of DSM, commented: “Our investment in Viocare in conjunction with the divestment of our corporate wellness business allows Viocare to further expand and mature this business, while concurrently enabling Viocare to continue to advance its leadership position as a supplier of scientifically validated software tools for the nutrition and wellness community.”

Rick Weiss, Founder and President of Viocare, said: “This investment further validates our vision that by deploying technology solutions that personalize diet and fitness recommendations based upon the latest scientifically validated advancements in nutrition and behaviour change we can make a real difference in the long term health and wellness of the global population.”

Viocare, Inc. is a privately-held company dedicated to improving global wellness. Working for 15+ years with leading institutions and leveraging more than $10M in National Institutes of Health funded research, Viocare brings the benefits of cutting edge knowledge in the nutrition, physical activity and behavior change disciplines to the development of breakthrough technology solutions that serve the wellness industry. Viocare provides wellness and nutrition-based technology platforms for corporate, community and health care provided wellness programs.