Epax earns grant to research the health benefits of lesser known fatty acids

Image courtesy of Epax

Epax (Norway) was awarded a $900,000 grant from the Norwegian Research Council to research the potential of new fatty acids for human health over the next four years. Epax not only offers omega-3 products, but, in more recent years, it has identified, analyzed and learned to concentrate less well-known fatty acids from marine oils for areas such as brain health, eye health, skin health, and fertility.

Epax has already established collaborations with universities and research institutions, providing test materials for pre-clinical research. Research with project partner Nofima is linked to an Epax-sponsored PhD, with the first scientific publication due in 2021. The research will support the wider Epax “Oceans of Possibilities” initiative investigating novel, bio-active marine products. Ultimately, it will also be the foundation for the first products in the new Epax NovusLipid range, which is currently in development.

“There are thousands of papers and clinical studies demonstrating the health benefits of marine lipids,” said Iren Stoknes, research and development manager at Epax, in a press release. “Most of these have focused on the well-known omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, but there are more than 30 different fatty acids that occur naturally in marine oils. In recent years, Epax has worked to expand understanding of these sometimes-overlooked nutrients and to unlock their potential for human health. This award from the Norwegian Research Council is an endorsement of our vision. We’re honored to receive it and excited to start exploring the opportunities it offers.”

A $35 million investment Epax made last year in an expansion to its main production facility in Ålesund is expected to increase output by more than 50% by 2021.