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Jeremy Xu

Jeremy Xu

CEO
ABF Ingredients
03 February 2025

Can you give us an overview of ABFI’s focus inside the dietary supplement sector and where it has a foothold globally?

The parent company ABF is a gigantic and diversified company, spanning retail, grocery, sugar and other ingredients. The ABF Ingredients division consists of seven businesses globally, collectively serving industries like food, health and nutrition, pharmaceuticals, animal health, and various industrial sectors. Each business includes health and nutrition elements. 

For instance, AB Enzymes specializes in producing enzymes for protein optimization and technical applications, while ABbiotek Health focuses on microbiome modulation. A recent addition to our portfolio is Fytexia, acquired in 2022, which develops scientifically validated bioactive nutrients for dietary supplements. Fytexia’s focus on natural, plant-based bioactives aligns very much with our company vision and direction.

Can you give examples of health and nutrition innovations that have come out of ABFI’s companies?

Fytexia offers two main types of innovation. First, it develops botanical extracts—purified active ingredients derived from plants. For example, green tea is well-known for its antioxidant properties, but we isolate the active components to make them more accessible, eliminating the need for brewing or special equipment. This technology allows us to purify and deploy active ingredients in small, concentrated quantities suitable for dietary supplements or health-supporting products. Secondly, our innovation extends to evidence generation. Fytexia leads the research of bioactive compounds together with a global team of scientific professionals from academic and private institutions. They conduct pre-clinical and clinical trials to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products.

What areas of dietary supplements is ABFI planning to develop in the future?

We are currently refining our strategic focus but are emphasizing three primary areas. First, immune and respiratory health, where we have products like brown propolis, a natural bee extract with anti-inflammatory properties that support immunity—a growing consumer focus post-COVID. Second, digestive health, including probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, which not only support gut health but also mental well-being, given the gut-brain connection. Lastly, metabolic health, where we aim to develop products for managing blood sugar and other metabolic functions. We are also exploring women’s health and bone health, expanding our portfolio to address diverse health needs.

Increasingly, the pharma- and nutraceutical industry are converging on the same molecules, such as GLP-1s. In some cases, patenting success in one industry can limit product development options in the other. How do you navigate this as an ingredient producer?

It is true; the boundaries between food, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals are increasingly blurring. Nutraceuticals, by nature, stem from pharmaceuticals, but they serve different purposes. Pharmaceuticals address illnesses in clinical settings, while nutraceuticals target those who are not sick but seek to enhance their health. 

Nutraceuticals tend to have fewer side effects and are more cost-effective. For example, in the U.S., GLP-1 treatments can cost over $1,000 per month, making them inaccessible to many. Nutraceuticals can fill this health security gap by offering alternatives that are more affordable and accessible for those who need preventive care or wellness support.

ABFI’s operational base is in the U.K., but its products are global. How do you navigate clinical trial regulations globally?

Our clinical trials depend on the product and region. We partner with renowned universities and research institutions for study execution, complementing our scientists’ involvement in the design phase. While we may have stronger relationships in specific countries for commercialization, we work with multiple groups globally to ensure data relevance in various markets. Our regulatory professionals collaborate closely with local regulatory bodies, and we tailor clinical studies to meet the needs of the regions where the products will be sold. This ensures our results are meaningful and applicable to the customers and markets we serve.

In addition, we partner with institutions for discovery and validation.

In today’s world, no single company can achieve everything alone, no matter how strong or resourceful. Collaboration and open-mindedness are essential for innovation.

With shifts in geopolitical dynamics straining global supply chains, how is ABFI adapting to ensure operational security?

One challenge in the nutraceutical sector is that much of the source material comes from developing countries. To address this, we diversify our sourcing. For instance, we partnered with a startup to produce a pharmaceutical product in South America, a non-traditional manufacturing location in this industry. 

Another solution is leveraging biotechnology to replicate active molecules without relying on traditional sources. For example, we are exploring enzyme technology to create products that detoxify histamine. By employing biotechnological methods, we can produce the same active molecules while reducing reliance on specific regions. Our expertise in enzyme technology is what enables us to innovate in solving supply chain issues in this way.