The Glycom journey
Cracking the code of large-scale synthesis
Glycom was founded by five world-famous carbohydrate chemists with more than 100 years of combined experience and more than 1,000 articles about carbohydrate synthesis between them. They were motivated by the scientific challenge of being able to synthesize complex Human Milk Oligosaccharides. So in 2005, they embarked on a mission. They began their efforts to crack the code of large-scale synthesis of HMOs.
And they succeeded – with the help of professional passion and deep science. For the first time ever, Glycom made significant quantities of individual HMOs available for study, and the first scale clinical trial to test these HMOs was conducted in 2007.
Nestlé
As the success of the Glycom HMO research continued, Nestlé took a strategic stake in the company.
Securing approvals
As the commercial feasibility and impact of HMOs became more evident, the search for regulatory approvals and manufacturing intensified. Approvals for Glycom’s HMOs were secured from EFSA in Europe and the FDA in the US in 2015.
From chemistry to fermentation
Over time the Glycom view of the most productive technology shifted, and Glycom decided to shift the HMO production from organic chemistry to fermentation. This development culminated in the acquisition and adaptation of a state-of-the-art production facility suited to HMO fermentation. Following major engineering, the first and largest state-of-the-art HMO production plant has now been in operation since 2017.
Entering the commercial markets
As a result, we have launched two lead HMOs which are already found in our customers products in more than 50 markets. Infant Formula, Medical Food, Supplements and Functional Foods - the Glycom GlyCare™ HMOs are available to help our customers. Glycom is continuously expanding the GlyCare™ portfolio with more HMOs on way with regulatory approvals already in 2020.
Dedicated to the broader applications of HMOs Glycom has conducted several clinical trials, having had more than 2000 participants, with HMOs showing their benefits in a large number of applications from digestive health to IBS and beyond.
DSM acquires Glycom
In 2020 Glycom was acquired by DSM, a global purpose-led, science-based company active in Nutrition, Health and Bioscience. With the acquisition of Glycom, DSM furthers it leadership position in the early life nutrition, medical nutrition and dietary supplement space.
