Kerry makes two biotechnology acquisitions
The company has announced that it has reached agreement to acquire German biotechnology innovation company c-LEcta, while also confirming that it has acquired the Mexican based enzyme manufacturer, Enmex.
c-LEcta is a biotechnology innovation company specializing in precision fermentation, optimised bio-processing and bio-transformation for the creation of high-value targeted enzymes and ingredients. Based in Leipzig, Germany, and employing more than 100 people, Kerry said c-LEcta has established itself as an innovator in new sciences for the pharmaceutical market, with a strong pipeline of functional bioactives across food, beverage and other consumer markets.
Enmex is an enzyme manufacturer based in Mexico, supplying multiple bio-process solutions for the food, beverage and animal nutrition markets. Enmex has a complementary enzyme portfolio and a strong manufacturing infrastructure, which will extend Kerry’s fermentation and enzyme manufacturing capabilities into Latin America.
Dr Albert McQuaid, chief science and technology officer at Kerry, said, “The food and pharmaceutical industries are on the cusp of a new wave of innovation where new developments in biotechnology, synthetic biology and precision fermentation are radically transforming these sectors. c-LEcta is a leader in these new technologies, which includes fermentation-based products such as disruptive new enzymes, and the strategically compelling combination with Kerry will accelerate our innovation capabilities in enzyme engineering, fermentation and bio-process development.
“Our broad market reach across food and pharma markets, combined with our deep enzyme applications expertise and integrated ingredient technology design, will enable and accelerate the growth potential of c-LEcta’s strong portfolio and technology capabilities while also supporting us in the creation of tastier, more sustainable and healthier products.”
Neil Cracknell, CEO of Kerry Applied Health and Nutrition, said, “Enzymes are increasingly playing a vital role as biocatalysts in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, where they deliver many benefits including improved product quality, increased process efficiency, and reduced food waste, through both minimization of waste and valorisation of waste streams.
“This strategic acquisition of Enmex will complement Kerry’s existing enzyme portfolio and build on our strength in enzymes for modifying cereals and grains. We see enzymes playing a critical role in helping achieve Kerry’s vision to create a world of sustainable nutrition, which is about providing better nutrition, with better processes, which have less impact on our earth’s resources.”
