The private Dunedin-based biotechnology company is focused on the research and development and global supply of bioactive food and nutritional health ingredients.
The company exports mainly to Asia, with exports exceeding $NZ20 million in the past three years - with products sold in Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Korea. It has developing markets in the EU.
Last month, the company was one of two finalists in the 2011 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association Award for best use of Hong Kong by a New Zealand company for its business.
In April, the company won the 2010 Cawthron innovation in science and technology award at the Natural Products New Zealand industry awards, for its bioactive marine extracts BioLex and BioLexLPlus.
Seperex Nutritionals was formed in 2004 to undertake research and development into bioactive ingredients.
Since then, significant research - based mainly in the areas of dairy and marine - has been invested in developing functional food ingredients used for health products, managing director and chief executive Charles Williams said.
It was a science-based business, using advanced technologies to focus on the bioactive molecules that could be helpful in human health.
Seperex Nutritionals' head office and laboratory is located at the Centre for Innovation at the University of Otago.
This has become a mutual relationship, with the science teams working with multiple departments through service contracts.
Food science, microbiology and biochemistry were all parts of the research and development network that the science team used for its projects.
Dr Andrew Sansom (pharmacology) focused primarily on the lipid work and marine science, while Dr Ralph Jack (microbiology/biochemistry) led the dairy-based programmes.
Part of what made the company particularly strong were its networks, particularly on the science side, Mr Williams said.
It had significant research networks with leading universities, both government and private laboratories, and crown research institutes.
"This sort of business model has proved to be small, agile and powerful. Even though we're in Dunedin, we participate in export markets and think globally.
"We've got talented and innovative scientific staff who also resource experts with technology skills useful to our company around the world," Mr Williams said.
Some promising developments in bone health have been achieved in China and Japan, including the commercialising of a product derived from bovine colostrum, CBP (colostrum basic peptide), which has been shown to improve bone density. CBP has achieved full food use registration in China.
Another novel and innovative product, Biolex, derived from green-lipped mussels and categorised as a second-generation advancement, has been developed for chronic joint conditions such as arthritis.
That project has been led by Dr Sansom, who is chief scientific officer. While it had been a lot of hard work, the outcome was exciting, Dr Sansom said.
It was now entering an extensive human clinical trial in Dunedin through the University of Otago. Mr Williams was "particularly proud" of the project, saying the molecules concerned in the product were "addressing the cutting edge of international molecule research as regards pain and inflammation".
For the past four years, Seperex Nutritionals has had an office and laboratory in the prestigious waterfront Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, which provides state-of-the-art research facilities for high-value, technology-intensive firms, including Phillips.
That was the company's "springboard" into China - a market that the company realised was crucial to the long-term success of its business.
It provided a link with customers in Asia in terms of research and development and customer support.
Demand for the company's range of functional ingredients was strong in China for use in infant milk formulas to support bone growth, brain development, immune function and gut health.
The company's vision was to invest more in resources both in New Zealand and Hong Kong - including equipment and personnel. The longevity of the business was looking "robust and sound", Mr Williams said.
The company has three directors - Mr Williams, Les Wilson and Lawrence Alloo - who all take a "hands on" role.
Mr Alloo, a chartered accountant who looks after the company's finance and strategy, met South African-born Mr Williams - who has more than 25 years of international experience in the pharmaceutical, medical diagnostics, biotechnology and specialty protein food industries - at a Trade New Zealand conference.
The pair got talking and Mr Alloo became interested in the project, saying he had an "interest in interesting things".
Not only was it interesting work to be involved with, but it was a "happy marriage" between commercialisation and research.
There were about seven staff, although that number fluctuated, and all were forward-thinking, which translated into an innovative approach, Mr Williams said.
