Biovit secures £1.5m funding to revolutionise the fortified foods industry

Biovit Secures £1.5m Funding to Revolutionise the Fortified Foods Industry

Biovit, a pioneering startup specialising in natural vitamin and mineral blends derived from organic plants and fungi, has successfully secured £1.5 million in funding. This strategic investment aims to disrupt the traditional fortified foods landscape, often dominated by synthetic nutrients.

Founded by Ky Wright, known for his ventures such as Lick and Human Food, Biovit focuses on providing entirely organic micronutrients, positioning itself as a leader in the emerging market of natural fortification. Through this funding, Biovit intends to advance its research and development initiatives significantly.

One of the pivotal projects earmarked for this financial injection is a groundbreaking trial in collaboration with Pharmatics and the NHS, set to commence next year. This trial will assess individuals’ micronutrient absorption levels and utilisation rates. Harnessing artificial intelligence, Biovit aims to profile participants’ metabolic types and nutritional needs to create an unmatched personalised nutrition product, touted as “the world’s most precise AI-powered personalised nutrition system”.

Furthermore, Biovit has allocated funds towards research at Swansea University, examining the disparity in bioavailability and efficacy between natural and synthetic vitamins and minerals. This research could offer crucial insights into the effectiveness of natural nutrients compared to their synthetic counterparts, which currently predominate in supermarket products.

Ky Wright, Biovit’s founder and CEO, emphasised the importance of this research, stating, “Although synthetic vitamins and minerals have been widely used, they often differ structurally and functionally from natural versions, impacting their bioavailability and efficacy.”

Supporting Wright’s vision is independent research commissioned by Biovit, revealing that a considerable portion of consumers (77%) were unaware that synthetic micronutrients are commonly used in fortifying foods. Furthermore, when informed, the overwhelming majority (90%) expressed a preference for natural over synthetic nutrients.

Wright shared that the forthcoming launch of organically fortified products on UK supermarket shelves, expected next year, marks a significant milestone for the industry. Biovit’s ingredients are currently under development with over 10 leading UK organic and natural food brands, indicating a growing shift towards natural fortification.

The company’s efforts come against the backdrop of a major observational study from the US, involving 400,000 participants, which found no significant impact on mortality rates from long-term synthetic multivitamin use. The research suggested that daily multivitamin users were somewhat more likely to die within the analysis period compared to non-users, highlighting concerns about the health implications of synthetic supplements.

Biovit’s UK clinical trial on the comparative efficacy of synthetic and natural micronutrients, scheduled for publication in 2025, promises to further illuminate these issues. Wright noted that the results might lead to significant shifts in consumer perceptions and acceptance of synthetic nutrients.

The funding sourced from Innovate UK underscores confidence in Biovit’s potential to reshape the fortified foods industry, leveraging natural, organic technologies and advanced personalisation to meet evolving consumer demands.

Source: Noah Wire Services