Avesthagen, an integrated systems biology platform company has announced a license agreement with AvestaDHATM for animal feed application. The agreement is non–exclusive and Avesthagen stands to earn $30 million over the next decade.
Dr Villoo Morawala Patell, Founder and Chairperson, Avesthagen said, “This is one step towards our continuing commitment to discovery and commercialisation of science-based products that promote health and well-being throughout life. AvestaDHA will serve as an acceptable and safe source of DHA for the much neglected field of animal health.”
DHA is naturally found in different types of fish oil and marine plankton, but it is anticipated that the supply from this source will be insufficient to meet growing demands. As per industry analysts, just the algal DHA/EPA market for 2013 is expected to exceed $525 million while growing at an annual rate of 24 per cent. The total global market for products containing DHA exceeds $26 billion (Source: Frost and Sullivan, 2011) Avesthagen’s innovative patented and trademarked technology allows commercial production of superior quality, 100 per cent vegetarian AvestaDHA derived from microalgae found in the Indian Ocean.
Adds Patell, “Avesthagen is open for global licensing, manufacturing and marketing alliances for human and medical nutrition, animal feed and many other applications. AvestaDHA is targeted at improving the nutritional health of the bottom of the pyramid and Avesthagen invites like-minded government, private organisations and civil society to join in the mission.”
Avesthagen developed AvestaDHATM with a grant from CSIR under the New Millennium Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) scheme for production of cost effective and renewable sources of DHA and other long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The project also involved the National Institute of Oceanography, the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, and the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad.
DHA is a polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the human body. More specifically, DHA is a major structural component found in the brain grey matter, eye retina and the heart. DHA Omega-3 fatty acid is an essential nutrient for people of all ages and known to promote healthy brain, eye and heart and in treating certain cancers. It is also used as an additive in animal feeds as well as aquaculture. It can help overcome the nutrition deficit faced by a majority of the population in India and can be especially effective for overcoming physical and mental stunting prevalent among nutritionally deprived children.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai
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