26 November 2007 - Friesland Foods, Newtricious, Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group Wageningen UR, University Medical Center Groningen and Angteq B.V. are jointly researching the health-promoting effects of proteins.
Friesland Foods Domo’s expertise in milk protein and Newtricious’s expertise in egg protein are combined with the know-how of the Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group, University Medical Center Groningen and Angteq. Together, they will be developing protein fractions that target the prevention of risk factors for obesity-related cardiovascular diseases.
This co-operation is a result of the Food & Nutrition Delta innovation programme, which stimulates the conversion of new and existing knowledge to new products and processes for the food industry.
Roelof Joosten, managing director of Friesland Foods Domo: ‘Friesland Foods Domo actively responds to the changing role of food ingredients, which are increasingly required to have a health-promoting effect. We keep a close eye on scientific developments and, together with our clients, investigate possibilities for application in their products. The co-operation of these five parties fits in perfectly with our strategy of developing and selling innovative functional ingredients.’
‘Newtricious has started developing valuable ingredients from egg protein. This co operation shows how, by sharing its knowledge, Newtricious intends to make great strides in the development of new food ingredients and products of natural origin that contribute to a better and healthier life. Food and health are our basic principles,’ says Jos Nelissen, managing director of Newtricious.
Dr Aart van Amerongen, Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group research institute (AFSG) of Wageningen UR: ‘This project is a typical example of a partnership in which our institute is responsible for the process from relevant biomarkers and protein sources to the development of biologically active components. UMCG/Angtec test the protein fractions in vivo and the companies market the functional foods/nutraceuticals.’
Prof Wiek H. van Gilst, Experimental Cardiology, Thorax Centre, UMCG:
‘We often work together with the pharmaceutical industry on medicines that present an optimum balance between efficacy and side-effects. The appeal of this project is that we are working on functional food in which effects must be combined and maximised. Side-effects are not really an issue.’
‘Angteq was co-founded two years ago by the UMCG to facilitate contract research for the pharmaceutical industry. In this project, Angteq and Prof Wiek van Gilst and Dr Hendrik Buikema of Clinical Pharmacology are developing experiments to test and select components for efficacy. It is a challenging project that has already yielded fascinating results,’ explains Dr Dirkjan Masman, director of Angteq B.V., Groningen, the Netherlands.
Friesland Foods Domo develops, produces and markets high-quality whey- and milk-based ingredients, which it supplies to food and pharmaceutical companies all over the world. Friesland Foods Domo has production facilities in Bedum, Borculo, Dronrijp and Workum in the Netherlands and sales offices in Zwolle (the Netherlands), Malaysia and Great Britain, as well as a worldwide network of sales representatives and distributors. Friesland Foods Domo is a subsidiary of Royal Friesland Foods.
Newtricious develops nutritional innovations that contribute to a better and healthier life. Its origins are the production and sales of eggs and egg ingredients. Newtricious’s working area stretches from research to consumer. Its core value is developing and leveraging knowledge. Newtricious pursues synergy through collaborating with leading scientists and innovative companies to develop concrete products and ingredients that can be successfully introduced to the consumer market. The company is based in Oirlo, the Netherlands.
The Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group research institute, part of Wageningen University and Research Centre, is an organisation for the development and transfer of knowledge on food products for a healthy lifestyle, sustainable food chains and biobased economy. Through ingenious combinations of expertise and based on applied research, AFSG creates inspiring options and concrete solutions, together with government organisations and companies. Consumer interest and market potential are key concepts.
With over 9,500 employees, more than 1,300 beds and over 300,000 days of nursing care, the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands, a major employer and an economic driver for the region. It is also the only university medical centre in the northern part of the Netherlands. UMCG's strength is the close interconnection between patient care, research, education and training – the best starting point for further improvement of patient care and building the future of health care.
Angteq B.V.’s objective is to act as intermediary between academic researchers and the business community. Angteq is responsible for contract research conducted by the UMCG. Angteq also manages and develops its own patent portfolio. In addition to independent private parties, the UMCG and parties affiliated with the University of Groningen also participate in Angteq, which is based in Groningen, the Netherlands.