IMCD and HBC extend agreement to include Europe

European Biotech and consumer health company HBC has confirmed plans to extend an exclusive distribution agreement for its marine branded products with leading speciality chemicals and ingredients distributor IMCD.

The current relationship will now be expanded to include most of Europe and is effective immediately. It marks a significant step in increasing HBC's potential market opportunities and the ability of consumers to access the recognised benefits of HBC nutritional and nutraceutical grade salmon protein products such as OmeGo®, ProGo® and CalGo®.

An important element to this comprehensive commercial relationship is a focus on how to ensure HBC products are best able to satisfy local needs and expectations in each potential consumer market. IMCD has already successfully developed a taste masked formulation concept for OmeGo®.

Work is now underway on developing similar formulations for CalGo® and ProGo®. ProGo® is the first and only non-iron containing product on the US market to “support healthy levels of ferritin and hemoglobin” for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia, one of six structure function claims acknowledged by the FDA last year.

Roger Hofseth, Chief Executive of Hofseth Biocare ASA welcomed the news by saying, “I’m pleased that this partnership is set to increase the availability of European consumers to our all-natural, non-GMO and additive-free products. Our large investments in both manufacturing and scientific research made over the past few years continue to bear fruit.”

Bora Turan, Nutraceuticals Director from IMCD says: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with HBC to the European market. HBC's innovative, holistic, and science-based product portfolio combined with IMCD’s strong formulation expertise, such as OmeGo gummies and ProGo gel formula, will enable us to serve well our customers while meeting their aspirations for a healthier lifestyle.”

Two weeks ago, HBC announced Nestle-owned organic health supplement firm will launch a range of new products with ProGo® later this year in US retail and online markets.

The partnership with IMCD, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, provides HBC with the benefits of its market insights and intelligence and access to its well-established international sales and distribution infrastructure. The ultimate aim of the agreement is to develop a comprehensive and complementary HBC specialty product range for all nutraceutical markets around the world.