Pronova BioPharma ASA has unveiled plans to expand into the consumer healthcare market, enabling the company to leverage its position as a leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical grade omega 3 derived products. The company will develop its business in the omega 3 consumer healthcare market over the next year, initially targeting the high concentrate dietary supplement market, which is expected to double in size over the next five years, according to Pronova and the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED).

Development of the Consumer Healthcare business will offer synergies with the company’s existing pharmaceutical business, which manufactures the highly successful Omacor/Lovaza drug. Pronova is also developing a pipeline of prescription-only pharmaceutical products, including PRC-4016, which is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of combined dyslipidemia. The company will seek appropriate partners to market and sell its consumer products around the world while also adjusting the manufacturing processes for consumer products, initiating small clinical trials and developing distribution channels.