WAGENINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS — NutriLeads BV, a developer of plant-based, precision prebiotic fibers, closed its series C funding round, raising €4.5 million ($4.91 million USD) to accelerate the commercialization of its prebiotic fiber BeniCaros®. The company plans to develop additional applications for BeniCaros for both human and animal nutrition.

The funding round was led by the company’s existing investor dsm-firmenich Venturing and received additional support from current investors. NutriLeads plans to use the funds to expand into new markets and geographies, as well as create a global brand for its ingredient.

“BeniCaros offers health benefits for consumers of all ages,” said Joana Carneiro, Ph.D., chief executive officer of NutriLeads. “And this funding will enable us to move into key market regions with strong consumer demand for natural immune and gut health solutions and drive research to substantiate additional differentiating product claims.”

BeniCaros is a prebiotic made from upcycled carrot pomace. According to NutriLeads, the ingredient is clinically proven to support immune response and improve microbiota composition to support gut health in humans. With its functional benefits, BeniCaros offers a variety of applications for the food, beverage, supplement, and even animal nutrition industries.

“We will continue to develop additional health applications for BeniCaros in human health and nutrition and look for development partnerships with pet and animal nutrition companies,” Carneiro said.

In addition to the funding round, NutriLeads announced a new board structure consisting of Carneiro, Alexander Belderok, chair, Florentine Fockema Andreae and two new members — Akshat Kshetrapal, investment director at dsm-firmenich Venturing, and Bibilotte Duyvesteyn, specialty nutrition value chain consultant.

“The financing and board changes support the transition of NutriLeads into a fully commercial company with an emerging global brand of tremendous potential in the health ingredients market,” Carneiro said. “Combined with the additional capital, NutriLeads is well positioned for strong sales growth and profitability.”

The company’s founder, Rudd Albers, Ph.D., will transition from his current role as chief scientific officer to chair of its newly established Scientific Advisory Committee, which will provide guidance for the company’s research and development operations.

“I’m extremely proud and thankful of what we have accomplished together; from the original discovery of an active compound to the production and commercialization of BeniCaros,” Albers said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to advise NutriLeads on relevant technological and scientific matters while also pursuing new personal adventures. I wish Joana and the team success in driving NutriLeads to the commercial success it deserves.”

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