Bioprospecting in the Arctic - UNU-IAS - United Nations University

30
Table 3: Companies involved in research and development and marketing of products derived from Arctic
Genetic Resources. 168
Company Product(s) and areas of Research and
Development interest related to Arctic genetic
resources
A/F Protien Inc
& A/F Protein
Canada Inc.
Amundsen
Omega3 AS
Arctos
Pharmaceuticals
Inc 169
Develops antifreeze proteins for the control of coldinduced
damage in medical, food, and cosmetic
products. Anti-freeze proteins are derived from Cold
Ocean Teleost Fish including Antarctic notothenioids,
Northern Cods, Atlantic and Greenland Cod, Shorthorn
Sculpin.
Amundsen Omega3 markets a range of health products
containing Omega 3 fatty acids sourced from various
Arctic marine sources including Arctic fish and seals.
The products are marketed as having a “preventative
effect” in relation to cardio vascular diseases and a
range of other purported medical benefits.
Natural products with value in pharmaceutical,
nutraceutical and other biotechnology application. Focus
on plants and microbes. Research and development has
included work on an organism with both antibacterial
and anti-fungal properties. Reliant on assistance
provided by local indigenous communities to source
appropriate plants based on indigenous traditional
knowledge.
Aromtech Oy Focused on research and development of novel
nutraceutical, medicinal and cosmetic uses of plant
species from Northern Arctic Finland/Lapland. Markets
a range of nutraceutical and other products derived
from plants such as Arctic birch and peat and wild
berries. These products are sold under trademarks
including ArcticCare (nutricosmetics including berry
seed oils, plant derived lipophilic active ingredients and
natural fragrances), Omega-7® and Membrasin® food
supplements, Ribesin (“a food supplement intended
for use to control “bad” LDL-cholesterol in blood and to
support heart health and the health of the cardiovascular
system”), and a range “of special plant derived lipidic
substances characterised by exceptionally high content
of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids.”
Aqua Bounty
Technologies
The main focus of on-going research and development
is on the following research areas:
- Supercritical Fluid Extraction technology
- Extraction of functional lipids
- Natural aromas & fragrances
- Customer orientated projects
- Lipid chemistry and nutrition
- Lipid analysis
- Health effects of functional lipids
- New raw materials for health and personal care
Collaboration with universities, industry and research
institutes is an elemental part of the company’s R&D
strategy.
Initially established in 1993 as a division of A/F Protein
as a biotechnology company specialising in the
commercial development of products exploiting the
unique properties of anti-freeze proteins in Arctic and
Antarctic fish. Now has much broader operations in
aquaculture including transgenic fish.
Location, Country Web address
Waltham
Massachusetts USA
(Administration)
and Newfoundland,
Canada
(Manufacturing and
R & D)
Based in Bergen,
Norway but derives
raw materials from
the Arctic.
Based in Anchorage
Alaska, USA.
Natural materials
sourced from
Alaska and Adak
Island in the
Aleutians
Rovanienmi.
Lapland, Finland.
www.afprotein.com
www.amundsenomega3.
com/
www.aromtech.com
Canada and USA www.aquabounty.com