The Slovenian natural extracts supplier yesterday announced an agreement with the pharmaceutical company based on its method of extracting lutein esters from marigolds, which will be used in a new over-the-counter product.
Vitiva CEO Ohad Cohen was unable to share with NutraIngredients.com the precise application for which Bayer will use the esters, but he did say that it does not make use of its antioxidant properties for eye or skin health - common applications for lutein esters in nutraceuticals.
Cohen told NutraIngredients.com that although the agreement with Bayer prevent it from offering the same product and application to other companies, it is not precluded from selling the lutein extract to other companies, for other purposes.
"Vitiva has made repeated investments in its manufacturing facility to meet Bayer Pharma's strict standards and requirements for high quality products and on-time delivery," said the company.
However Matjaz Mohar, supply chain manager at Bayer Pharma, said that Vitiva's existing facilities, advanced technologies and extraction expertise were key factors in his company's choice of supplier.
Mohar added that agreement is an indication of how natural products are influencing the pharma sector and, together with intellectual property protection, are "the foundation for the growth and success of [the pharmaceutical] industry".
