DSM TAKES LIPID TECHNOLOGIES: Meuse-Rhine Journal

DSM TAKES LIPID TECHNOLOGIES

[BIZ: Heerlen, October 2]
Royal DSM N.V. has announced the acquisition of Lipid Technologies Provider AB (LTP), a Swedish company with a technology platform based on formulated lipids. LTP develops lipid delivery systems for functional foods (including dietary supplements) and pharmaceuticals, using lipids extracted from natural resources such as oat oil. LTP’s main product is a satiety ingredient branded Olibra® which, according to substantiated evidence, has the effect of reducing calorie intake. In the area of weight management, satiety products are gaining in importance. Eating healthier and less is increasingly seen as a natural and credible way to manage weight.

‘The acquisition of Lipid Technologies Provider fits seamlessly with DSM’s strategic drive, Vision 2010 – Building on Strengths, in which we focus on market driven growth and innovation, with nutrition being one of the main areas,’ says Feike Sijbesma, member of DSM’s Managing Board.
Rob van Leen, DSM’s Chief Innovation Officer: ‘LTP and DSM are already researching new products and solutions in the area of weight management. This step, in combination with DSM’s other activities in this market, lays a broad foundation to create more innovative products that help consumers in changing their lifestyle towards a sustainable healthier life.’

DSM Venturing invested in LTP in September 2003 and gained 27% ownership over time. Mid 2005 DSM Food Specialties entered into a global Marketing and Sales agreement with LTP, which gave DSM the exclusive right to market Olibra® (branded Fabuless™ by DSM) in the dairy foods market. In line with the company’s ambition to further grow in innovative health ingredients and build leadership in the area of weight management, it was a natural step for DSM to acquire the remaining shares of LTP, at a purchase price of EUR 18m. Moreover, LTP’s technology platform will support future opportunities for new applications, including outside weight management. DSM Venturing’s LTP investment is considered as a ‘proof-of-principle’ of the added value of corporate venturing to DSM’s open innovation strategy.

Fabuless™ / Olibra® is a revolutionary weight management ingredient. Using the concept of satiety – the body’s natural appetite control mechanism – it helps consumers manage their food intake, and hence makes weight management that little bit easier. Its patent-protected combination of oat oil and palm oil (both naturally occurring dietary lipids) is thought to give a satiety feeling lasting for hours after a meal.

What makes Fabuless™ / Olibra® unique is that it is clinically proven to reduce calorie intake. So far, four positive studies on Fabuless™ / Olibra® have already been published.

Fabuless™ offers food manufacturers the ability to add a new health dimension to their products. Products containing Fabuless™ help consumers reduce their calorie intake without the efforts or sacrifices usually involved when dieting or eating slimming products.

The first dairy product containing Fabuless™ – Action Calorie Control – was launched onto the Italian market in August 2005. In April this year, the largest Portuguese dairy company (Lactogal) launched a Fabuless™containing product called AdagioVersus as part of its Adagio range of healthy dairy concepts.

In addition, LTP has been very successful in introducing this innovative ingredient in the food supplements industry, where it is sold in individual cups, to be added to a meal by the consumers themselves. This concept has been introduced in a large number of countries, including the USA (under the brand name Reduce), France and Spain (Slim 10/10) and Scandinavia (ProAim).

LTP’s current total annual sales amount to approximately EUR 5m.