The agreement with Anagenix, a supplier from New Zealand, is for the distribution of the active ingredients, Actazin and Livaux, for the French market, where gut health remains its 3rd biggest segment.
Actazin, a green kiwifruit powder, is said to benefit bowel transit and has been demonstrated in clinical studies. In vitro studies also support the prebiotic activity of this ingredient.
The ingredient’s fibre 14-20% content allows for a good swelling of the stools, a change in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and a production of short-chain fatty acids which improve intestinal motility.
Meanwhile Livaux, a gold kiwifruit powder is said to restore the balance of the gut microbiota by promoting the growth of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prau), a butyrate-producing bacteria.
The bacteria represents 5-10% of the total intestinal flora and cannot be provided by probiotic supplementation. Its growth can only occur through prebiotics supply.
F. prau is linked with increased production of butyrate, a postbiotic that is associated with intestinal motility, reduction in inflammation, an increase in mucus production and improved gut barrier function.
EPI France buy
Seppic, a nutricosmetics firm based in Paris, France, are looking to strengthen and expand its product range after the recent acquisition of EPI France in a move to bolster its ‘beauty-from-within’ offerings.
The deal, struck in May, includes EPI's signature ingredient Ceramosides, a branded form of wheat-derived ceramides made for oral and topical skin beauty products, which Seppic has been distributing for over 10 years.
Jean Baptiste Dellon, CEO of Seppic, said the acquisition opened up "new growth opportunities for Seppic in the cosmetics and dietary supplements markets".
He added, "Our long-standing relationship and the values of expertise, quality and customer care that we share with EPI France will allow us to quickly realise synergies for the development and marketing of new ingredients.”
Valérie Bizot, President and co-founder of EPI France added, “Our partnership with Seppic has always been very successful and we are confident that with the innovative drive of Seppic, the know-how and the competences developed by EPI will be continue to be valued and to thrive.”
BioActor agreement
In 2018, Seppic partnered up with Dutch biotech firm BioActor to distribute dietary active ingredients in the US.
The ingredients developed by Bioactor, includes MicrobiomeX, a first-in-class Flavobiotic that protects the gut barrier and directly leverages the gut microbiome potential. Other ingredients include Bonolive, Watts'up and Actiful.
“With this agreement, we will continue to bring substantiated novelty to our customers and help them launch successful dietary supplements,” said Sebastien Merchet, Business Development Manager at Seppic.
“We will complement the key ingredients from our other partners, such as Ceramosides (EPI), Safr’Inside, Memophenol and SkinAx² (Activ’Inside), Givomag and Givocal (Isaltis).”