There were up to three finalists in each category and winners were chosen based on submissions demonstrating the company’s scientific merit, market potential, innovation and ability to increase market credibility.
Winners were announced at the NutraIngredients reception during Vitafoods Europe 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Eric Meppem, cofounder and director of Pharmako Biotechnologies, graciously accepted the award along with R.V. Venkatesh, Managing Director of Gencor, who is Pharmako’s North American distributor and partner.
“Receiving this prestigious industry recognition is a great honour,” said Meppem.
“Pharmako specialises in scientific research and innovative product development. As a company, we are creating and providing advanced delivery systems that help increase the solubility and bioavailability of clinically studied ingredients.”
Pharmako provides several innovative technologies to improve the functionality of poorly absorbed raw materials.
Technologies such as AquaCelle, a Self-Micro-Emulsifying Delivery System, CPO or compressible powdered oils, a material which allows oily liquid active ingredients to be converted into powders, and LipiSperse, a dispersion technology that improves the bioavailability of lipophilic ingredients and is currently used in HydroCurc.
HydroCurc is a branded curcumin ingredient developed in partnership with Gencor and delivers nearly 90% of active and absorbable curcuminoids with only 10% excipients.
HydroCurc was also a finalist in two categories for this year’s NutraIngredients awards; Editors Awards for Innovation and Botanical Product of the Year.
“Pharmako’s technology LipiSperse is positively changing how ingredients such as curcumin can be used in finished products. The low absorption rate of curcumin is well-known within the industry and Pharmako has created a solution,” said Venkatesh.
“We are honoured to be partners with Pharmako and provide innovative ingredients such as HydroCurc to manufacturers across North America."
"We applaud Pharmako on this industry recognition, and for the technological advancements they are bringing to the nutraceutical and functional food and beverage industries.”
The finalists for each category were required to give a 10-minute presentation on their submission for the final stage of judging, and winners were selected based on a weighted vote from the selection committee made up of independent industry judges.
