Supportive Ingredients for Healthier Weight Management

Global specialty ingredients company seeks innovative, science-backed ingredient solutions to support individuals on weight-management journeys by improving nutrition, satiety, muscle maintenance, digestive comfort, and overall eating experience.

Overview

• Sponsored research funding: €25,000 to €150,000 depending on work plan
• Access to multidisciplinary experts in nutrition science, sensory science, regulatory strategy, and ingredient development
• Internal analytical platforms and data access for development support
• Potential facility visits for joint testing sessions
• Multiple partnership models available: sponsored research, co-development, supply/purchase, licensing

Priority Areas

• Nutrient Systems: Nutrient dense protein and carbohydrate ingredient systems, micronutrient blends tailored to weight management needs, ingredients that enhance nutrient bioavailability and uptake
• Muscle Support: High quality protein concentrates for muscle preservation, essential amino acid blends targeted to lean mass support, bioactive peptides and collagen fractions supporting recovery
• Digestive Health: Probiotic and postbiotic strains for gut function and comfort, prebiotic fibers and oligosaccharides that nurture microbiota, gentle botanicals and bioactives that help ease nausea
• Satiety & Appetite: Satiety enhancing fibers that slow gastric emptying and hunger, bioactives that modulate appetite signals and food reward, low energy density ingredients that support portion control
• Stress & Recovery: Compounds that promote calm focus and resilience under stress
• Sensory Enhancement: Aroma and flavor boosters that increase food enjoyment within small portions, taste modulators that enhance flavor intensity under reduced appetite, texture enhancing ingredients that create a richer mouthfeel experience

Eligibility & Requirements

• Preliminary evidence demonstrating biological plausibility or mechanistic potential, supported by preclinical studies, in-vitro or in-vivo data, or comparable scientific validation
• Compatible with integration into food, beverage, or nutritional delivery formats
• Technology readiness levels 3-9 accepted
• Open to academic researchers, startups, and suppliers
• Human clinical data demonstrating efficacy preferred but not required
• Pathway to scalable production using commercially viable processes preferred but not required

Please note: Full RFP is attached in the "More Information" section of this page. Faculty and researchers interested in applying for these opportunities based on technologies developed or disclosed at Vanderbilt must submit their proposals through the CTTC.