'Lactose library' launched on the internet
applications can now be found on a new website dedicated to the
milky molecule.
Lactose naturally makes up between two and eight per cent of solids in milk, however, it also has several uses in the drug-making process and the pharmaceutical lactose market is now worth over $100m (€79m).
This website was established especially for companies, universities and authorities involved in studying, processing and registering lactose and although lactose is used in many different industries, especially in food and beverages, this website focuses soley on its pharmaceutical applications.
The new site - www.lactose.com - has been launched by Friesland Foods Domo, who said the website "will be updated regularly," meaning that dedicated lactose followers "will have all the latest information on lactose available at all times."
The company is the pharmaceutical division of Dutch firm Friesland Foods, who established itself as a large global lactose producer for the nutrition and food industries before moving in to the pharmaceutical lactose market.
The firm now manufactures a wide range of pharmaceutical lactose products for use in tablets, injectables, capsules, sachets, pellets and dry powder inhalers.
Friesland is not the only lactose manufacturer that has branched outside of its traditional sector to make extra money in the lucrative pharma industry by offering high-value ingredients.
Earlier this year dairy group Fonterra, New Zealand's biggest company, joined forces with Dutch dairy group Campina to sell inhalation-grade lactose to the pharma industry.
Inhalation-grade lactose currently makes up only a small part of the pharma lactose market, but is expected to increase companies continue to develop new inhaled drug delivery therapies.
