Pioneering the future of human health through biosolutions – article

In a landmark merger that marks the largest in Danish history, Novozymes and Chr. Hansen have joined forces to create Novonesis, a global leader in biosolutions. This powerful combination brings together more than 100 years of innovation and expertise, positioning Novonesis to address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges through biological solutions.

The newly combined Novonesis human health division particularly stands out in the biosolutions landscape with its comprehensive Strain to Solution^™ approach. This unique capability enables Novonesis to partner with customers from the initial stages of product ideation all the way through to shelf-ready products, offering condition-specific benefits across the demographic spectrum that are backed by rigorous research and verified data.

“We are able to provide an end-to-end product based on our probiotic portfolio,” noted Mette Winning, senior director of product development and application at Novonesis. “We know that competitors can deliver the strains or contract manufacturers can create and produce finished products for customers, but we are unique as we can do both.”

Bigger is better for biosolutions

Novonesis’ extensive biological toolbox includes prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to support various life stages and health conditions. From women’s health to healthy aging, the company is at the forefront of addressing the evolving needs of consumers worldwide. It is also leading the way in one of the most complex and intriguing areas of microbiome research today — the gut-brain axis. Numerous studies suggest a connection between the brain, gut, and microbiome that affects both physical health and mental well-being.¹

For instance, Health Canada recently approved a number of functional claims for one of Novonesis’ newest probiotic strains, CLEPIUS^™ L. plantarum, which include statements not only about gastrointestinal support but also stress relief. The combined portfolio also features ProbioBrain^™, a unique psychobiotic using Bifidobacterium longum 1714^® strain. Clinical studies have shown B. longum 1714^® can alter brain activity and stress responses, as well as reduce perceived stress.²

Consumer awareness and interest around probiotics and mental health is at an all-time high. About 45% of consumers associate brain health with probiotics.³  And more than 40% of supplement consumers are interested in probiotics for mood and mental health support, according to Nutrition Business Journal.⁴

The Novonesis merger will further enhance the company’s research capabilities into innovative solutions like psychobiotics and other products that influence the gut-brain axis. The combined business now boasts 2,000 employees focused on R&D and invests more than $350 million annually in research and development, representing at least 10% of annual revenues.

“We can now do deeper research with a combination of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen, where you have enzyme expertise, you have biotics expertise, and we do that all the way from the initial thoughts on the lab bench, through preclinical data, through clinical data, real-world evidence, through microbiome analysis,” explained Linda Neckmar, senior vice president for human health at Novonesis.

Focused on customer success

While Novonesis is research driven, the customer is at the center of everything the company does. It partners with brands and manufacturers throughout the entire product development process, from identifying market gaps to creating tangible condition-specific concepts to ensuring viability of the finished goods with premium production and packaging.

Buster Fox, vice president of global sales in the human health division at Novonesis, explained the company’s customer-centric approach. “It starts by understanding the desires, needs, and requirements in the regional markets. We have human health biosolutions team members sitting in nearly 20 countries around the world, and our product development and R&D leadership are regularly in innovation sessions with customers to hear directly from them.”

This global presence enables Novonesis to tailor solutions to specific market needs, recognizing that every region has unique requirements. As Fox explained, “Being close to the customer is essential in order to produce relevant innovation. When we conduct our strategic planning sessions we start with our customers and the local markets and work backwards from there.”

Andrew Collis, senior director of human health Americas sales, added more context on how the merger benefits Novonesis customers. “When approaching customer projects, we’re not just a sales organization, but rather a global network of sales, scientists, product developers, project managers, regulatory experts, and supply chain mavens all working toward a common goal of success for our customers.”

Making the most of market opportunity

This global-local approach enables Novonesis to develop products that resonate with consumers in different regions while maintaining consistent quality and efficacy, according to Fox.

“Every region of the world and every population is not identical. We have similarities, but there are differences in Asia compared to differences in a North American diet or the different life stages,” he said. “We have aging populations in some parts of the world that are much, much more quickly aging than in other parts of the world that are more emerging. And so, I think being able to address the needs in those individual markets from a global perspective is something that we bring to the market.”

This is where vertical integration of Novonesis really shines. The company can leverage its cutting-edge research to match the market trends that matter most, especially as the industry sector heads toward more customized and personalized solutions.

“Today, we know much more. We know that the different life stages are influenced by our microbiome and our microbiome solutions,” Neckmar observed. “You will see more and more products coming out in metabolic, in gut, brain, in women’s health, in infants, in the elderly. Healthy aging is a big category that’s growing. And by having that broader research capability that we now have in Novonesis, combined with the consumer insights, we feel we are very well equipped to grow into the next stage of the market.”

By merging its extensive research capabilities, a customer-centric approach, and a global perspective, Novonesis is well-positioned to develop innovative, effective and targeted health biosolutions with its Strain to Solution^™ approach. Or, as Ester Baiget, president and CEO of Novonesis, put it: “The combination of two strategically complementary companies with a shared purpose and advanced capabilities will show the world the true power of biosolutions.”

References:

1. Chakrabarti A et al. “The microbiota-gut-brain axis: pathways to better brain health. Perspectives on what we know, what we need to investigate and how to put knowledge into practice.” Cell Mol Life Sci. 2022 Jan 19;79(2):80.

2. Wang H et al. “Bifidobacterium longum 1714™ Strain Modulates Brain Activity of Healthy Volunteers During Social Stress.” Am J Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul;114(7):1152-1162.

3. Lumina Intelligence. “The Gut-Brain Axis Psychobiotic Opportunity in 25 countries.” 2022.

4. Nutrition Business Journal. “Mood and Mental Health Report 2024.”