EPAX AS, Trygg Pharma Combine, Form New EPAX AS

OSLO, NorwayThe omega-3 lipids corporation formed by Trygg Pharma and EPAX AS is now named EPAX AS, and the company has added two facilities to increase production. The reorganization and expansion means EPAX AS can serve a larger customer base and new markets, and allows it to pursue other business opportunities and products, according to Thomas Gulbrandsen, director of sales and marketing EPAX AS.

In addition to the existing omega-3 facility in Ålesund, Norway, the company now has a resource centre in Hovdebygda, Norway, and a recently acquired a manufacturing plant in Seals Sands, England.  The new plants form an additional expansion for EPAX that will be doubling the production capacity in the Ålesund plant by the end of 2011.

With the new corporate structure in place, our main areas of focus are still the processing and sales of concentrated, marine-based omega-3 ingredients to the global dietary supplement industry," Gulbrandsen said. It will be business as usual and Epax AS is still committed to providing the dietary supplement industry with the same high quality fish oil they have come to know and trust."

The new CEO of EPAX AS is Terje Bakken, former SVP head of Supply and Trade Yara ASA, and member of Yaras executive team since 2004. Bakken has been heading the new EPAX Group since July of this year.

The company formerly known as EPAX AS is now named Epax Norway AS and is a fully owned subsidiary and the key operating company of the EPAX group. The condition-specific EPA/DHA blends manufactured by Epax Norway AS will continue to be marketed to the B2B dietary supplement industry under the name Epax.

EPAX was acquired at the end of 2010 by Trygg Pharma, which is a joint venture between biotechnology company AkerBiomarine and Manhattan-based investment firm Lindsay Goldberg.

Epax Norway AS will exhibit at SupplySide West at the Exhibit Hall of the Venetian and Sands Expo, Las Vegas, from Oct. 12-13.  Company spokespeople Baldur Hjaltason and Gunilla Traberg will be available at booth #20050 to talk about the restructuring, as well as the companys new sports nutrition indication for the Epax 4020 formula. Bakken will also be in attendance.