Aker BioMarine Partners to Prevent Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurological and other non-communicable diseases represent one of the largest and fastest-growing global health challenges. Today, neurological conditions affect an estimated 40 per cent of the global population and the number of people living with dementia alone is expected to rise to more than 150 million by 2050, according to the World Health Organization. Against this backdrop, Aker BioMarine has joined the Innovation Center for Neuroresilience (ICoN) as an industry partner, contributing nutrition and bioactive ingredient expertise to a major Norwegian research effort focused on the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. ICoN is a Centre for Research-based Innovation led by the University of Bergen, bringing together leading research environments and industry partners across health, nutrition, biotechnology and technology. "Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia are estimated to affect more than 150 million people by 2025. This represents one of the most urgent challenges for health and society." "Addressing neurodegenerative disease will require new neuroprotective strategies that strengthen neuronal resilience, combined with early intervention, before defining symptoms appear and the neurodegenerative process is deeply established." "To achieve this, ICoN integrates state-of-the-art therapeutic development, clinical trial platforms and molecular and digital biomarkers for early detection and monitoring," says Charalampos Tzoulis, Professor of Neurology and Neurogenetics at the University of Bergen and Haukeland University Hospital and Director of ICoN. "Aker BioMarine brings valuable translational expertise in bioactive marine ingredients and together we aim to explore treatment- and prevention-oriented solutions that can benefit people at a population scale." From treatment to prevention As populations age, the societal and economic impact of neurodegenerative disease is expected to increase significantly. Research increasingly highlights the importance of early intervention and long-term prevention strategies, including lifestyle and nutritional factors, alongside medical and technological innovation. ICoN aims to strengthen prevention-focused research through interdisciplinary collaboration, with the ambition to develop integrated solutions for early detection, monitoring and prevention of disease. The centre has been awarded funding by the Research Council of Norway and will run for eight years, with a total budget exceeding $23m. It is scheduled to launch in 2026. Nutrition as part of the long-term health equation As part of the consortium, Aker BioMarine Human Ingredients will contribute industry perspectives related to nutrition, bioactive marine ingredients and research-based innovation. The collaboration aligns with the company’s ongoing work to better understand how nutrition may support long-term brain health, including through its Lysoveta portfolio. "Neurodegenerative diseases represent a growing challenge for societies worldwide, both in human and economic terms," says Line Johnsen, SVP R&D and Regulatory Affairs at Aker BioMarine Human Ingredients. "Being part of ICoN allows us to collaborate closely with leading research environments and to contribute our expertise in nutrition and bioactive ingredients to prevention-oriented research." The Centre for Research-based Innovation scheme is designed to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, helping research move closer to real-world application and long-term societal benefit.