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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NEOCANTAL (New Oleocanthal-based functional ingredients with anti-inflamatory properties obtained from olive pomace valorisation)

Teaser

Summary

Over the last few decades, there has been a significant increase of chronic inflammatory diseases (CID) incidence. Currently, there is no solution to reverse the patientâ€™s situation for pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis or osteoarthritis, so treatments are applied to mitigate some of the pain, directly fighting inflammation by using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. It is estimated that 40% of people age 65 years and older fill one or more prescription for a NSAIDs each year. The intake of NSAIDs over long periods has serious adverse side-effects.

Connections have been made between diet and chronic diseases, making the development of healthy foods increasingly necessary. Numerous research works have attributed the human health benefits of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to different phenolic compounds that are present in it. Among them, oleocanthal is considered the most important one due to its healthy properties. Studies have associated an anti-inflammatory activity similar to the ibuprofen to the long-term ingestion of small chronic doses of oleocanthal.

The main drawback of the oleocanthalâ€™s ingestion through commercial EVOOs is its low concentration, with a high variability among oils of different olive varieties, as well as non-homogeneity and non-phenol selectivity. Thus, achieving the optimum oleocanthalâ€™s effects by olive oil consumption involves an extremely high and insane calories intake.

Santa Cruz IngenierÃaâ€™s NEOCANTAL will be the first oleocanthal-based functional ingredient in different commercial forms (first ones being liquid and soft pills) for being added to food supplements or functional food with natural anti-inflammatory effects. NEOCANTAL is obtained exclusively from biological sources (olive), through a self-developed extraction protocol to produce a highly purified and concentrated oleocanthal extract. Through a Circular Economy approach, we will produce and commercialize a breakthrough nutraceutical natural ingredient with a vital outcome on human health.

Within VECTOR HORIZONTE Group, Santa Cruz IngenierÃa (SCI) is the company related to the agronomic field, and we are currently engaged in two different but complementary services: (1) agronomic management, as technical consultants focused on olive cultivars, and (2) our own R&D activities to leverage this expertise.

The key goal of this project is to assess all the resources and activities needed to successfully commercialise NEOCANTAL products. Therefore, our objective is threefold: (1) to analyse the commercial, (2) technical and (3) financial viability of NEOCANTAL

Work performed

This Feasibility Study comprises four main tasks:

Task 1: Market Study update. (1) We have updated our preliminary market data, by approaching the global nutraceutical market and two of its main segments, food supplements and functional food. We have collected and analysed in depth information from various market and research studies. Based on this information, we have concluded that the forecasts are optimistic, with a notable growth trend just coinciding with the market launch of NEOCANTAL. (2) Besides, we have estimated our market size. We have followed the TAM-SAM-SOM methodology, resulting a Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) of almost â‚¬91M yearly. (3) We have refined NEOCANTALâ€™s value chain, by leveraging our coaching sessions and our coachâ€™s knowledge of this industryâ€™s insights, and have identified the key stakeholders for the successful commercialization of NEOCANTAL. A first approximation to the basis of a future Engagement Plan has been issued. (4) Finally, we have performed an in-depth analysis of the different sales schemes functioning in the market. For NEOCANTALâ€™s business line, our preliminary choice is a mixed solution: during the first penetration stage, we will use distribution partners as a market entry strategy. Then, we will create our own local sales offices.

Task 2: Freedom to Operate (FtO) analysis and IPR Strategy: A thorough patents search has been performed to guarantee that NEOCANTAL commercialization can be addressed without infringing valid IPR of others. In view of the results, we conclude that the novelty of NEOCANTALâ€™s features is not already protected by any published patent. However, there is an outstanding current trend in this field to advance in the upgrading of functional foods and dietary supplements based in the phenolic compounds, sometimes including oleocanthal. We are currently working in the patenting procedure for our products and processes to protect our results and overcome competitors.

Task 3: Technical Work Plan. We have finally selected two definitive commercial forms (NEOCANTAL liquid and soft pills). There is a complete and soundly structured technical work plan designed to achieve NEOCANTALâ€™s transition from TRL6 to TRL9, with a detailed definition of 6 Work Packages, tasks and main outcomes from all phases, as well as a temporal schedule and preliminary budget. Subcontracting needs have been identified in tasks where they are critical. The most important are included in WP3, which is devoted to the development of a transversal population-based study to test the anti-inflammatory effects of NEOCANTAL.

Task 4: A thorough Business Plan for NEOCANTAL has been issued. Results are optimistic for NEOCANTALâ€™s commercialization, which will result on an increase of our international dimension and will positively impact our commercial and financial indicators.

Final results

Our FtO analysis shows that there are several patents regarding to the oleocanthal properties and its uses in different functional food matrices and in the dietary food sector. However, our NEOCANTAL technology, extract formulation, and end products are totally different from the existing patents till date, so we can assure that we overcome the current state of the art.

NEOCANTAL line (liquid, soft pills and olive oil generated as by-product) will create a business opportunity for SCI with an accumulated turnover of â‚¬33 million and a net profit of â‚¬18 million in the five years after market introduction (2022-2026), reaching a market share of 6.37% in SOM terms.

NEOCANTAL project will position SCI as technological reference and a world leading company within our market, in the field of functional ingredients, contributing to our scale-up.

In view of these conclusions, we will pursue the project. We have decided to submit a proposal for an EIC Accelerator Instrument, for applying to a 70% grant over the budget.

Social impact: CID have an extensive burden on society, them representing a major pan-European public health issue, with additional public health services costs that are difficult to calculate. NEOCANTAL will help reduce the ingestion of chemical anti-inflammatories pills (mainly ibuprofen), while improving the overall wellbeing of the patients.