Immune Health Claims Symposium Set for 2012 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo

Press release courtesy of Biothera

EAGAN, Minn., June 7, 2012 – A panel of experts from regulatory, scientific and industry vantage points will present their perspectives on the scientific evidence required to substantiate an immune health claim during the 2012 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Expo in Las Vegas on Wednesday, June 27.

 The session will examine both why it is difficult to develop credible science to support claims that are compelling to consumers and acceptable to regulatory agencies and potential solutions.

•  “Substantiating an Immune Health Claim: Three Perspectives” will feature the following speakers and topics:

• “Substantiating Immune Health Claims: Perspectives of Scientific/Regulatory Authorities in North America and Europe” -Lina Paulionis, M.Sc., MHSc, RD, senior scientific and regulatory consultant, Intertek Cantox’s Food and Nutrition Group.

• “Challenges in Defining Appropriate Immune Function Biomarkers” -Simin Nikbin Meydani, D.V.M, Ph.D., director of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University.

• “Designing a Claim Substantiation Research Program: An Industry Perspective” -Don Cox, Ph.D., senior vice president, Research & Development, Healthcare Group, Biothera.

“Finding the right combination of credible science to support claims and to meet the needs of stakeholders from regulatory agencies through product development and manufacturing to consumers is a significant challenge, especially given the complexity of the immune system and the rapidly evolving regulatory framework,” said Dr. Cox. “This session will illuminate key challenges from a global perspective in developing the scientific data to support a commercially viable and meaningful claim and provide best practices in claims substantiation.”

 Two members of Biothera’s Healthcare R&D group are involved with this IFT symposium. Biothera’s flagship immune health ingredient, Wellmune WGP®, has earned broad regulatory approval as an immune health ingredient for foods, beverages and supplements. The clinically proven immune health benefits of Wellmune WGP have won accolades from the food and beverage industry including a prestigious IFT Innovation Award in 2007.

The session is from 10:35-11:35 a.m. in Room N117 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information stop by the Biothera booth, #1829.

About Wellmune WGP
Wellmune WGP is a natural beta 1,3/1,6 gluco polysaccharide that is clinically proven to prime key immune cells that keep the body healthy. This unique food, beverage and supplement ingredient has regulatory approval around the world, including GRAS status in the U.S. and novel foods approval in Europe and China. It is also patented, Kosher, Halal, non-allergenic and GMO-free. In addition to receiving an IFT Innovation Award, Wellmune has received a SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and a Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award. Wellmune WGP is a product of Biothera, a U.S. biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune health.