A Researcher's Quest:
From Over Seas and Over Qualified to Overall Success
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Enzymotec develops and manufactures innovative biofunctional ingredients to address health needs associated with the entire human life cycle. The company develops and produces novel , lipid-based ingredients. Its key product categories are: SharpPS™ - phosphatidylserine for improving cognition, CardiaBeat™ - for reducing several CVD-risk factors simultaneously and InFat™ - baby and infant nutrition. |
Enzymotec was founded in 1994, when award-winning, biotechnology researcher Sobhi Basheer was looking for a job. As a scientist returning after many years abroad, he was overqualified for the positions available at the time. In the absence of real options outside the academic world, he became an entrepreneur.
Milestones:
| 1994 |
Dr. Basheer establishes Zeitouna, supported by Regional R&D Center. The venture develops a technology to turn raw materials into biofunctional ingredients. |
| 1999 |
Zeitouna shows great potential for the alternative industry and becomes a Naiot portfolio company under the name Enzymotec. |
| 2002 |
Gala’am, invests in Enzymotec and becomes a strategic partner. |
| 2004 |
Sales reach the $1M mark |
| 2006 |
Sales reach $15M |
| 2007 |
Enzymotec forms a joint venture with $1.6 B, specialty fat producer AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) Sweden for the production, sales and marketing of specialty functional ingredients for the infant nutrition industry. |
Sharp.PS™ GOLD receive a NBJ's Product Merit Award for 2007
CardiaBeat™ wins the NutrAward Prize at the SupplyExpo 2007. Criteria included efficacy, safety, innovativeness, scientific merit and market potential.
"Naiot has believed in me and in my venture from the very beginning. Thanks to their support, I was able to spend two years developing the technological platform for Enzymotec's three product categories. Naiot jumpstarted my concept and helped me make it a globally active company".
Dr. Basheer Sobhi has a clear vision about where he wants to see his company: "We aim to gain market leadership by leveraging basic raw materials into high-value, biofunctional ingredients through the combination of sophisticated processes, novel clinical trials and broad patent protection. So far we've accomplished our goals and we are committed to constant innovation in the alternative industry".
