Pharmaceutical Industry Veteran Will Lead Company in Development of 'Next Generation' Dietary Supplements and Functional Food Ingredients
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 19 2009 — Valensa International has appointed Dr. Rudi E. Moerck as President & Chief Executive Officer of the company. The move to add CEO duties for Dr. Moerck comes on the heels of Valensa's partnership with Parry Nutraceuticals (Division of E.I.D. Parry (India) Ltd, Chennai, India) announced last November. In a career that spans more than 25 years, Dr. Moerck has held senior management positions in the pharmaceutical and specialty chemical industries, as well as research and commercial development positions. In his new role, Dr. Moerck will lead Valensa's move into the next generation of high-performance plant-derived dietary supplements and functional food ingredients, which includes Valensa's "Direct to Marketers" product development and business strategy. He will lead Valensa's new management team that includes executives from both Valensa and Parry.
According to Dr. Moerck, the market opportunities for dietary supplements and functional food ingredients are greater than they have ever been. "Health and well-being have become lifestyle decisions for a rapidly growing population segment in the United States and worldwide. A focus on staying healthy and preventing the chronic illnesses that have become so common in our society is a part of emerging healthcare strategies. Simultaneously, the desire for natural products is still increasing throughout all age, income and gender demographics," he said. "We feel that our strategy at Valensa – to use the most scientifically important natural materials, to use the best technology and quality control, to optimize the product forms in terms of stability and efficacy, and to create compelling messages around our products – will position us as a 'next generation' leader to the industry and the consumer."
In his previous two years as President, Moerck positioned Valensa as the industry's leading US-based astaxanthin oleoresin and beadlet producer. Moerck also spearheaded Valensa's technology development effort aimed at increasing the bioavailability and efficacy of natural compounds via extraction optimization, dispersion and stabilization technologies and through optimized synergistic ingredient combinations. Under Moerck, Valensa also expanded their intellectual property position with US Patents for USPlus(R) saw palmetto prostate formulas, including Certified Organic USPlus(R), and Zanthin(R) astaxanthin for use in eye health.
Prior to joining Valensa, Dr. Moerck was President of Altair Nanotechnologies. While at Altair, he was the principal inventor of RenaZorb(TM). RenaZorb(TM) was in-licensed by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (Irvine, CA) in January 2005. While at Altair, he was also the chief innovator of a new drug delivery system called TiNano Spheres(TM) for enhanced and timed release of pharmaceuticals. His work in the pharmaceutical industry includes postings at Catalytica Pharmaceuticals as Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing, V.P. and General Manager API manufacturing and R&D. He also served as President of the Fine Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Group at Cambrex Corporation.
For further information, contact:
Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, President and CEO
Voice: 210-632-0695
Fax: 352-483-2095
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