70% of Americans can be classified as having either overweight or obesity. Calorie restriction is an effective short-term weight loss tool, though long-term adherence is rare, and weight re-gain is more often than not. Modification of macronutrient intake alongside calorie restriction may be an effective way to increase feelings of satiation and maintain weight loss.
Our client conducted a large-scale human trial testing their high-protein, high-fiber nutrition shake on health outcomes, but sought additional assistance with the statistical analysis and manuscript generation. We jumped at the chance to work with their team to understand their statistical analysis plan and additional analysis needs, compare intention-to-treat and per protocol analyses, and provide a submission ready manuscript at project completion.
Intellectual property is not just for lawyers. Here it played a major role in the decision to innovate new ingredients.
In their mission towards sustainability, CP Kelco wanted to combine two waste streams and upcycle them into a new product, eliminating waste and increasing their product portfolio at the same time.
We performed a two-step analysis, starting with an in-depth review of the scientific literature supporting this novel product as a prebiotic.
In parallel, we conducted a freedom-to-operate analysis to identify the existing intellectual property related to the manufacture, composition, and use of the proposed product, outlining challenges and opportunities to the production and sale of their new product.
Human milk serves as an obvious template for optimizing the nutrition of infant formula. Manufacturers such as our client are always looking for ways to improve their formulations through a deeper understanding of human milk composition. We worked with the client to evaluate the relationship between Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) – a class of highly diverse molecules that are unique to human milk – and cognitive outcomes.
We conducted a mediation analysis for the client – where we integrated microbiome data with gene expression and behavior data to identify biomarkers that connect HMOs with cognition and memory. We are proud to have further elucidated the relationship between HMOs and cognition via gut microbiota and neurotransmission.
We also compiled the findings into a publication and oversaw the peer-review process.
Read the publication here!
Pectin may be one of the world’s oldest thickeners, perhaps most known for its uses in jams and jellies. It is a fermentable and soluble fiber that can be used to thicken beverages and infant formula. As part of a call by the European Food and Safety Authority for an assessment of the safety of pectin for infants below 16 weeks of age we assisted with the publication of research on pectin’s effect on growth and nutrient digestibility in formula.
As technical writers, we relish opportunities to make stories out of data. We first began by conducting a quick literature review to identify other work in the field, compiled regulatory guidelines for use of this ingredient in pediatric products, and combed through clinical research investigating its safety.
We reviewed the data from our client, worked internally to generate a manuscript explaining the results and their biological significance, and after a 3-round review process submitted the work for publication, which you can read here.
Read the publication here!
We worked with the California Walnut Commission to analyze and publish data they had generated related to the protein content of walnuts. Previously, they had a small preclinical trial performed with a CRO, but needed the data generated to be confirmed and published. Traverse Science® re-analyzed the data to provide a third-party review of the conclusions generated in the report a brief report you can read here in Frontiers in Nutrition.
Read the publication here!
When foodborne illness comes to mind, Salmonella often ranks near the top of the list.
Many may not realize the effort that goes into preventing food from contamination, and for livestock, this starts by promoting the hygiene of feedstuffs. To that end, we worked with BASF to report data demonstrating the efficacy of a sodium buffered formic acid product as a feed hygiene agent to prevent the contamination of feed.
Read the publication here!
While it is widely stated that “breast is best” or feeding infants, it is not always possible for a variety of reasons – hence the use of infant formulas. Nevertheless, our client is always looking for ways to improve their infant formulas using human milk as a natural template. The client had conducted an experiment internally on the relationship between a human-milk specific oligosaccharide (sialyllactose) and its relationship with learning and memory, but did not have the time or ability to complete the project internally.
We worked with the client to review the methods of the original experiment, conduct statistical analyses, and prepare the experiment’s results for publication. We provided support through the peer-review process, and are happy to report that it was published.
Read the publication here!
A client had worked with the same research partners over a decade but had no way of comparing results between studies. We compiled a combination of public and private research into a proprietary database to enable meta-analysis across each study. Ultimately, this database provided the client a resource to better defend the safety and efficacy of their products.
Read the publication here!
A feed ingredient company needed to get up to speed quickly on understanding the mechanisms of one of their products. They knew they were interested in understanding it’s antioxidant capacity but weren’t exactly sure where to start. We headhunted CROs and academic labs that could perform the assay they needed, vetting each one to identify the best partnership. We ultimately helped them foster a relationship with a leading academic lab who could not only perform the needed assay but provide interpretation and strategic guidance on the results.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli can ravage weanling pigs, causing morbidity, mortality, and slowed growth. Producers want to protect the health of their herds, and as consumers, we want our pork to come from healthy pigs. As producers transition away from using antibiotics, the role of nutrition becomes increasingly important.
We were approached by a client to assist with the scoping, budgeting, planning, and coordination of a feed trial in weanling pigs. Leaning on our experience in animal science we scoped the budget, vetted vendors, and generated standard operating procedures and data acquisition forms. With protocols in hand, our client executed the study with their partners and provided us the data in return. After statistical analysis and review of the outcomes, we were able to provide our insight on the efficacy of their products.
This client found that their team was in the same boat as so many other Traverse Science® clients: they simply didn’t have time to accomplish all that they needed to get done. Specifically, this large CPG needed help with the scientific substantiation portion of an FDA dossier related to a structure-function claim. We identified the relevant studies based on their claim and compiled the relevant portions of the dossier based on their existing framework – and we were able to complete the work on a short timeline for rapid submission.
We were approached by a large consumer packaged goods company to perform literature reviews for one of their principal nutrition scientists. This client was asked by their business unit about novel areas to explore but didn’t have the time to fully assess the currently-available literature in order to provide an informed go/no-go opinion. We stepped in as supporting members of their team to compile what was known from review papers and produced a series of reports on the documented health benefits related to ingredients of interest.
An academic lab was investigating the role of a potential drug treatment for a neurological disorder. They were using the pig as an animal model and needed assistance developing behavioral tasks to assess the efficacy of their treatment. We helped them generate the protocols, source the hardware, install the hardware and software in their lab, and educate them on the science behind the methods.
A startup had an idea for a potential therapy to combat obesity, but needed help proving the scientific validity of this idea in order to pitch for funding. We assisted by helping the client assess what type of information would be needed from the existing body of literature, and then performed a semi-systematic review of the applicable papers. From there, we compiled a report that broke down what the data showed, the quality of the data, and how the client could leverage this information for fundraising.
A company developing electrolyte solutions had performed a study with an academic partner but needed additional help transforming the detailed report into an abstract for submission at a key conference. We reviewed the report and helped generate a submission ready abstract.