This week’s big news across the global nutrition and supplements industries includes TopGum’s acquisition of Island Abbey, Nestlé R+D Accelerator’s recent women’s health Innovation Challenge and HealthTech BioActives' (HTBA) €25 million investment in flavonoid and B12 production site.
North America: TopGum acquires Island Abbey for $20 million plus
Israeli gummy supplement manufacturer TopGum Industries acquired Island Abbey Nutritionals, a contract developer and manufacturer specializing in gummy and lozenge supplements located in Prince Edward Island, Canada for $20 million plus an earn-out payment based on Island Abbey’s 2025 results.
The strategic acquisition is expected to significantly expand TopGum’s manufacturing and technological capabilities to drive the growth of the “enjoyables” supplement segment and “deepen its foothold in the U.S. market,” according to the company.
“Island Abbey brings a unique combination of strategic customers, advanced technologies and a professional, experienced team,” said Eyal Shohat, CEO of TopGum, following the announcement. “Together with TopGum’s longstanding expertise, this partnership opens new horizons for innovation and growth. Our combined teams will continue to develop advanced solutions that deliver a wellness experience that is fun, easy and tasty.”
Global: Nestlé R+D Accelerator’s Innovation Challenge for women’s health
The Nestlé R+D Accelerator recently held an Innovation Challenge targeting women’s health for the first time, inviting start-ups around the world to propose nutrition-based solutions that address current unmet needs.
“We have seen increased awareness globally about the importance of women’s health, yet many health needs remain unaddressed. Addressing those needs is part of Nestlé’s ambition to support healthy longevity,” a Nestlé spokesperson told NutraIngredients.
“That is why we are seeking to identify and bring to market innovative nutrition-based solutions that help women maintain physical and mental fitness throughout their adult lives. This includes addressing needs related to fertility, menstruation and hormonal changes experienced during perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.”
Established in 2019, the Nestlé R+D Accelerator is an open-innovation program aimed at empowering entrepreneurs to bring food and beverage innovations to life.
With a network of 14 Accelerators embedded in its global R&D centers, the latest scientific discoveries, advances in technology, and data on consumer needs and preferences are brought together to “enable the development of next-level solutions across the full range of Nestlé’s business categories and beyond.”
Spain: HTBA invests €25 million in flavonoid and Vitamin B12 production site
Barcelona-based citrus flavonoids and vitamin B12 innovator HealthTech BioActives (HTBA) announced the completion of a €25 million investment project modernizing its research, development and manufacturing center in Murcia, Spain.
The new production plant makes the company the “only one in Europe capable of producing all active forms of vitamin B12”, according to Alexandre Valls-Coma, CEO at HTBA.
“Our origins in citrus flavonoids and vitamin B12 date back more than 45 years, and this innovation project marks a huge milestone for HTBA.”
HTBA produces three types of vitamin B12: MecobalActive, its methylcobalamin (MeCbl) ingredient; HydroxylActive, a hydroxocobalamin ingredient; and adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), branded as AdenoActive.
HTBA’s investment involves advancing vitamin B12 production through ‘green-chemistry’ processes and also enabled the modernization of the company’s existing citrus flavonoid production plant.
