Avestha Gengraine Technologies Pvt Ltd (Avesthagen), India's first discovery-based biotech company has announced that it has signed an agreement with the Raisio Group of Finland which gives the company exclusive marketing rights to Raisio's top-selling product, Benecol, in India.

Benecol is widely used as a food ingredient in products such as yoghurt, yoghurt drinks, other milk-based drinks, ready-to-eat casseroles, mayonnaise-based salads, cheese and cheese spreads in the US and the EU.

According to Tehmaas Gorimaar, senior vice president Aquas, Benecol will be marketed by Aquas, the services and sales arm of Avesthagen. "Avesthagen is rolling out its functional food programme with the marketing of Benecol. We are in talks with several potential customers to make Benecol available in India. Our target market is the large number of food and dairy companies that are developing new products or line extensions that incorporate nutraceuticals of proven value," he added.

Intekhab Mufti, VP, Business Development, Natural Products, Avesthagen stated that it was part of an overall strategy of the company to introduce a line of scientifically proven nutritional bio-actives that are effective in addressing health-related problems and can be added to food and beverages."

Benecol has received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the US, and Benecol margarine has received FOSHU status in Japan. It has also been evaluated by food authorities in several EU countries prior to its launch.

Benecol lowers levels of serum cholesterol and LDL (the bad cholesterol) by 10 and 15 per cent, respectively within two weeks at consumption levels of two grams of per day. The cholesterol-lowering action is independent of the fat content of the background diet, and additive to the effect of statins. If consumption is continuous, the effect is permanent. Benecol is lactose-free and vegetarian.

Elaborating on the company's long-term plans Dr. Villoo Morawala-Patell, Founder & CEO, Avesthagen said, "By 2010 we will bring to market a range of clinically validated nutritional compounds which will be licensed to large food companies for use as nutraceutical supplements and functional foods."