Kappa Bioscience AS, Oslo, Norway, has expanded its intellectual property portfolio with the award of a European patent on the synthesis of a nature-identical vitamin K2 MK-7 molecule. This patent represents both a scientific and commercial breakthrough, according to the company, by positioning the vitamin for mass-market adoption.
 
Kappa’s proprietary synthesis process, using raw materials from plant origin, creates a K2-MK7 molecule that is 100% identical to that found in nature. The advantages of synthesis are that it produces the highest purity compound compared to other methods, and that the process is fully scalable and more cost-effective than fermentation. Kappa’s announcement marks a milestone in the development of the vitamin K2 market where widespread commercial and consumer adoption is now possible. 
 
Egil Greve, CEO of Kappa Bioscience, explained, “Our vision at Kappa is to make vitamin K2 available for everyone. Synthesis of any vitamin, including vitamin K2, is the only way to make it commercially viable for all consumers because of lower costs. Ninety-nine percent of all vitamins on store shelves are created by synthesis, and Kappa brought this to K2.’’
 
Kappa offers a range of product and format options under the K2Vital brand Greve commented: “Kappa has been producing K2Vital under patent-pending status since 2010, so our customers know they can have complete confidence in the documentation and credentials of our synthesis process.”