Asia Sherman

Holobiome emerged from a growing recognition that the gut microbiome is both profoundly influential and deeply understudied—and that more tools were needed to unlock its vast complexity.

Unilever has announced plans to develop a new global innovation center in New Haven, CT, opening by spring 2029. The multinational consumer goods company says that the $270-million investment reflects its belief in science-led growth and the increasingly central role of the United States in driving innovation across its business.

An investigation into one of aging research’s most closely watched molecules has found that NAD+, a compound central to cellular metabolism, may not decline in human blood the way many researchers once expected. Published in Nature Metabolism, the study reported that whole-blood NAD+ levels remained stable across age groups and lifestyle interventions, challenging the idea that a blood test could use the molecule as a reliable marker of aging.

Ingredient supplier PLT Health Solutions has teamed up with the Alethios decentralized clinical trial platform to provide customers access to faster, scalable clinical research to substantiate competitive science-based claims.

Ingredion Incorporated has added Benicaros, a patented, prebiotic fiber made from upcycled carrot pomace to its portfolio.The acquisition is an asset deal that includes full ownership of all intellectual property, trademarks, human clinical trials and know-how related to manufacturing the product.

Nammex Mushrooms is adding a 100% pure freeze-dried lion’s mane mycelium powder standardized to 1% of neuroactive compound erinacine A to its portfolio of functional mushroom extracts. It is the company’s first official foray into mycelium, the vegetative, root-like network of thin thread-like hyphae strands responsible for absorbing nutrients and connecting the entire fungal network.

Emerging clinical evidence continues to strengthen the case for krill oil as a differentiated omega-3 delivery format, with a recently published study suggesting it may raise circulating EPA and DHA more effectively than conventional fish oil even when the dose is matched.

Pet supplement science is widening well beyond traditional multivitamins, with new studies spotlighting a more diverse ingredient mix that includes postbiotics, host-adapted microbial strains, plant extracts, beta-glucans and specialty compounds such as palmitoylethanolamide.

The Western diet is killing us, environmental contaminants are contributing to the disease burden, and our separation from the natural world has reduced our contact with the beneficial bacteria that once helped protect us. These themes, among others, emerged at this year’s Probiota Americas conference in Vancouver, as academia and industry continued to fine tune the role biotics might play in countering the modern insults that have contributed to a global metabolic and mental health crisis fed by chronic inflammation.

In the span of just a few years, the dietary supplement industry has weathered whiplash, existential threats and promises of a golden age but is recalibrating its approach to risk and opportunity in a shifting regulatory and policy landscape to prepare for the what ifs. Lawyers, regulators and industry stakeholders convened last week at the 14th Annual ACI-CRN Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Forum on Supplements to compare notes on how to navigate a landscape with few bright-line legal rules while adapting to tariffs, supply chain pressures, evolving compliance requirements, litigation and artificial intelligence.