NEWS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2024 95 Kuehnle AgroSystems (KAS), a leading microalgal innovation and production company, raised a $3 million Series A2 funding round led by S2G Ventures. The funding will accelerate the commercialisation of KAS' pioneering method for producing natural astaxanthin from microalgae, a key component in sustainable aquaculture systems as well as a clinically proven human nutraceutical. KAS has patented an innovative process that uses dark fermentation in closed vertical tank systems to produce high-quality natural algae astaxanthin. Utilizing a more sustainable feedstock and production method than current natural and synthetic astaxanthin production methods, KAS point out that its process results in lower production costs, higher yields, faster growth times, and less water and energy consumption. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties present in natural aquatic algae, which is consumed by salmonids and shrimp and gives these species their characteristic red colour. In aquaculture systems, which produce over 50% of the seafood we eat globally, astaxanthin is incorporated to provide similar pigments. However, 95% of astaxanthin currently used in aquaculture feed is synthetic and derived from petrochemicals. KAS aims to replace synthetic with natural algal astaxanthin, addressing a market that is estimated to be valued at around $3.7 billion. Read more>> KAS expands its natural algae astaxanthin production Elanco Animal Health announced the appointment of Shiv O’Neill as the company’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. O’Neill will be responsible for the global strategy and operations of the company’s legal team, ethics & compliance organization and ESG efforts. "Shiv's ability to deliver strategic value to Elanco in the shortterm serving as our interim general counsel combined with her robust experience made it clear that she was the right person for this role," said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco. "Her deep understanding of Elanco's legal operations, coupled with her broad experience in regulatory compliance, product safety and transactional matters, equips her to provide valuable leadership counsel to support the company’s strong operational integrity and current and long-term growth objectives.” O’Neill brings more than 20 years of extensive legal expertise. Most recently, O’Neill served as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Americas of Elanco. In this role, O’Neill led the strategy and operations of Elanco’s commercial and regulatory legal team in the Americas and provided strategic advice and counsel to company leaders within the U.S. Farm Animal, U.S. Pet Health and International businesses. Prior to joining Elanco, O’Neill served as Senior Counsel at Cummins Inc. where she oversaw global litigation, product safety, crisis management, internal investigations and regulatory compliance matters. Read more>> Shiv O’Neill assigned as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Elanco Shiv O’Neill
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