Israel’s Frutarom acquires AB-FORTIS technology patent

Spanish biotechnology company AB-BIOTICS has agreed to sell its AB-FORTIS patent, a two-layered iron microencapsulation technology, to Israel-based flavour firm Frutarom for an undisclosed price.

AB-FORTIS is a powder form food ingredient, which can be used to enrich beverages and food products such as yoghurts, milk, meat, and cereals without altering taste and appearance.

It can also be used in the pharmaceutical industry in infantile syrups and food supplements, avoiding the oxidation of folic acid or omega-3 fatty acids.

Frutarom Natural Product Solutions Unit president Yoni Glickman said: “The acquisition of the AB-Fortis technology continues the fulfilment of Frutarom’s broad strategic drive to strengthen its position as a leading, innovative global supplier of natural speciality products and functional food components in the fields of taste and health.

“AB-Fortis’ unique micro-encapsulation technology expands Frutarom’s diverse product portfolio in the growing field of speciality health ingredients.”

“Delivering iron supplementation in a bio-available and palatable manner is an important objective for many of our food and supplement customers and we continue to work with them closely to bring this and other innovative solutions that combine our core competencies in taste and health.”

The deal will enable AB-BIOTICS to prioritise probiotics as its core business, representing 87% of its total sales. Frutarom licensed AB-FORTIS in 2012.

It will also allow the company to focus on the most important over the counter (OTC) countries such as Italy, the US, France, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, Russia, the UK, and Japan.