The biotechnology company aims to use natural food molecules to activate olfactory and taste receptors in the body that support healthy weight.
These include ingredients like coumarin, vanillin and cinnamaldehyde from the FDA-approved Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list for food formulation, Chris Hanson, chief strategy and development officer, Olfactive Biosolutions, explained to FoodNavigator-USA.
These food molecules attach to olfactory and taste receptors throughout the body, also known as ectopic receptors. For example, olfactory receptors in the gut can stimulate the production of GLP-1 and GIP, hormones essential for regulating weight loss and blood sugar levels. The ingredients can be integrated into CPG food products, such as condiments and pasta, to deliver a benefit of increased satiety, Hanson explained.
‘We are trying to take a natural approach’ to address illness
By activating these receptors, the molecules initiate physiological pathways that may reduce side effects of conventional pharmaceutical ingredients, Hanson said. They also could lower health care costs, he added.
“We are trying to take a natural approach to put the food molecules [in the body] to turn on these … olfactory receptors that pump out GLP-1 and GIP,” which result in less hunger pain and lowered blood sugar, he explained.
Because the company is using food molecules, the cost will also be lower than active pharmaceuticals, he added.
Currently, the company holds three patents for weight loss and hypertension using food molecules with plans to conduct more consumer trials in the next several months. Further, the company is exploring the potential of the same methodology to support the management of other chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s, muscle regeneration and bone remodeling, according to Hanson.
“The interesting thing is the same methodology where you take existing food molecules, and you activate or inhibit certain receptors … works for [a myriad of] different chronic conditions,” he said.
Third-party consultant to validate product benefit claims for manufacturers
The current patent is formulated to support the management of diabetes and obesity, Hanson said. To ensure accurate labeling, Olfactive Biosolutions hired a third-party claims consultant to provide clear guidance on how manufacturers can label their products using Protenx.
“We hired an outside claims company to help … with the FDA,” Hanson said.
While some clients have their own regulatory departments to handle this, the third-party consultant will remove the guesswork for companies that do not, he added.
