11 Feb 2010 --- Stratum Nutrition, a Novus International Business that focuses on human nutrition through functional and specialty ingredients, announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with international functional ingredients manufacturer KitoZyme. Based in Herstal, Belgium, KitoZyme manufactures a new vegetarian ingredient, chitin-glucan, which supports arterial and overall heart health. Stratum Nutrition will further advance the science, global sales and marketing of chitin- glucan.

"KitoZyme has developed a novel, patented chitin-glucan ingredient," said Jeremy Moore, Director of Marketing for Stratum Nutrition. "Through this partnership, we will utilize our R&D, branding, marketing and sales expertise to expand its use in a variety of finished goods to support heart and overall health. Not only is heart health a key area of focus for us at Stratum, but this ingredient is obtained exclusively from renewable, non-GMO sources, which aligns with our corporate commitment to social responsibility and sustainable business practices."

Stratum Nutrition officially launched in November 2009 with the purpose of bringing to market unique and/or patented technologies with solid intellectual property, strong scientific and clinical research and progressive product applications in vital health categories such as immune health, bone and joint health, weight management and healthy aging.

"KitoZyme's chitan-glucan ingredient satisfies all of our criteria," stated Moore. "KitoZyme's commitment to sustainable practices coupled with their quality-centric manufacturing processes, which are ISO-9001:2008, GMP and HACCP certified, made them an ideal partner."

Stratum Nutrition and KitoZyme will collaborate on launching chitin- glucan into the marketplace, however, there is also potential for future product development with other ingredients through this partnership.

"This partnership allows both KitoZyme and Stratum to utilize our respective strengths to improve overall industry awareness and use of chitin-glucan, an ingredient that we collectively feel has tremendous potential for individuals looking for a clinically-proven way to improve their health," said Hugues Bultot, CEO, KitoZyme. "Building on the global reach of Novus and leveraging its tremendous means, we believe, Stratum can immediately begin identifying and securing opportunities for chitin-glucan to be used in a wide range of health products around the world."