Dairy Dialog 40: Inficon, Chobani and PanTheryx

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

Dairy Dialog 40: Inficon, Chobani and PanTheryx.  Bacterium pic: ©Getty Images/gaetan stoffel
Dairy Dialog 40: Inficon, Chobani and PanTheryx. Bacterium pic: ©Getty Images/gaetan stoffel

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In this week’s podcast, we discuss leak detection technology with Bill Burnard, package integrity sales & business development manager, North America, Inficon, regarding the company’s new Contura S600 equipment. We also speak with Mark Braman, president and CEO of PanTheryx, which has received $50m in financing for novel biologics and medical foods development.

We also have an interview with Peter McGuinness, the chief commercial and marketing officer of Chobani, on the launch of their new Milk Matters program.

And we have our weekly look at the global dairy markets with Liam Fenton from INTL FCStone.

Inficon to unveil leak detection technology with large capacity chamber at Pack Expo Las Vegas 2019

Swiss-headquartered Inficon is expanding its portfolio of non-destructive leak detection equipment to include the Contura S600, which features an oversized test chamber.

Designed to reliably and cost-effectively test products sold for bulk retail and foodservice applications as well as large format Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and flexible packages, the system helps manufacturers extend shelf life, prevent costly recalls and returns, and reduce waste. The Contura S600 will debut at Pack Expo Las Vegas 2019 from September 23-25.

Just like the recently launched Contura S400, the S600 model relies on a proprietary differential pressure method to detect both gross and fine leaks, and offers a faster, easier and quantifiable alternative to methodologies like water baths and gas-based testing.

With the new test chamber, food manufacturers can increase efficiencies by testing multiple products at the same time. The Contura S600 is designed for a variety of food applications including cheese, pet food, meat and poultry, baked goods, snack foods, confectionery, candy, grains and cereals, prepared food and produce.

“Identifying package leaks, however big or small, is a necessity for food manufacturers looking to catch faulty packages before they make it to store shelves,”​ said Bill Burnard, package integrity sales & business development manager, North America, Inficon.

“As bulk and oversized packages continue to proliferate the market, the Contura S600 gives manufacturers additional flexibility to test their large size products and protect food quality, enhance safety and maximize consumer satisfaction. The addition of the S600 to the Contura family also ensures that Inficon is well-equipped to meet the varying needs of today’s food manufacturers.”

Inficon staff will be available during the show to discuss attendees’ specific application needs and how to choose the right leak detection method.

The company also has an e-book on leak detection​. 

About Inficon           

Inficon is a provider of instrumentation, critical sensor technologies and advanced process control software that enhance productivity and quality in sophisticated industrial vacuum processes. These analysis, measurement and control products are essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration, and automotive manufacturing.

Inficon has manufacturing facilities in Europe, the US and China, as well as subsidiaries in China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK and the US.

PanTheryx receives $50m financing for novel biologics and medical foods development

US-based PanTheryx, a biotechnology company focused on addressing serious GI related health conditions, has received $50m in new financing with Perceptive Advisors.

Proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate development of novel medical foods and biologics in the company’s pipeline as well as support expansion of its existing line of nutritionals, including its flagship product, DiaResQ.

“Many of the most debilitating diseases in the world are multifactorial, with challenges from pathogen exposure further confounded by immune dysregulation and imbalances within commensurate microbiota in the GI tract,”​ said Mark Braman, CEO of PanTheryx.

“With this new backing from Perceptive, one of the leading healthcare investors, we have the resources to rapidly bring to market therapeutics that will greatly improve the standard of care and dramatically enhance the quality of life of patients suffering from GI conditions.

PanTheryx’s pipeline includes novel candidates for addressing C. difficile infections, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, and managing GI related side effects of cancer therapies. Rather than developing de novo molecules with a single target, the company’s candidates are being developed with bioactive backbones that contains multiple molecules with complementary mechanisms of action.

“PanTheryx’s approach of leveraging the immuno-therapeutic, anti-inflammatory and restorative fractions of bovine colostrum has the potential to revolutionize the way practitioners approach many of the difficult to treat GI conditions patients face today,”​ said Sam Chawla, portfolio manager, Perceptive Advisors.

“Partnering with PanTheryx at this exciting time in the company’s lifecycle will allow them to accelerate the development of truly innovative therapies that we believe will fill significant unmet needs for many patients worldwide.”

The Perceptive transaction brings the total financing raised by PanTheryx to $170m.

Founded in 2007, PanTheryx, which is a leading supplier of colostrum, is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado and has production facilities in Phoenix, AZ and Ripon, CA.

Chobani unveils Milk Matters program

US yogurt manufacturer Chobani, LLC, has launched its Milk Matters program, which the company says will encompass Chobani's commitment to its milkshed as well as efforts to support greater transparency across dairy farms.

Milk Matters was designed to address the challenges being faced by today's dairy industry. Many current industry programs and certifications, while well-intended, address single issues in isolation and haven't gone far enough to truly provide relief for struggling farms, according to the company.

The program will include co-op partners, dairy farms and third-parties such as Fair Trade USA, the World Wildlife Fund, National Milk Producers Federation, Cornell University, state programs and community foundations in Idaho and New York to validate the continued progress. Milk Matters is working towards 100% implementation by 2025.

Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani, said, "Proud to share our vision for the future of dairy — from cows to people to planet. It's a small step with a big message: the future of dairy farmers matters to all of us.

"Dairy farms are the backbone of the communities we call home, but the current model is broken and it's leaving consumers questioning everything, including the treatment of animals, farm workers and the land itself. Our solution is simple but powerful. We all have a responsibility to support the farmers who make our business and our vision possible."

Paul Rice, CEO, Fair Trade USA, said, "This is a big move for one of the important sectors of agriculture in the US — creating shared trust, partnership and value between consumers, farms and brands with a Fair Trade USA standard for dairy.

"By funding the exploration and development of a standard that will be available to the entire dairy industry, Chobani is taking a real leadership position. We're thrilled to support an initiative that will drive continued progress, value, and transparency across the dairy industry."

Sandra Vijn, dairy director at World Wildlife Fund, said, "Working with over 900 dairy farmers, Chobani can help the dairy industry reduce its environmental impacts. WWF will work with Chobani and its supplying cooperatives to identify and promote better management practices that use natural resources more sustainably. Chobani has further committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, using science-based targets in line with the goals of the Paris climate agreement​.”

Chobani said Milk Matters will have six critical pillars: Worker well-being; Environmental stewardship; Animal care; Local sourcing; Investing in dairy communities; and Freedom and Flexibility for dairy farms.

Bacterium pic: ©Getty Images/gaetan stoffel

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