Pycnogenol® Receives GMP Certification

Horphag Research emphasizes consistency and safety in manufacturing of its hallmark ingredient Pycnogenol®

GENEVA, Switzerland – Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) French maritime pine bark extract, exclusively provided worldwide by Horphag Research, has earned Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification by the French Health Products Safety Agency (AFSSAPS). Pycnogenol® is a potent antioxidant and available in more than 600 dietary supplements, cosmeceuticals and functional food and beverage products worldwide.

“Horphag Research is pleased with the GMP certificate and considers this to be in accordance with our commitment to quality, safety and efficacy. As many of our customers know, we have already been adhering to strict GMPs in order to produce a high batch to batch consistency of Pycnogenol® while following rigid quality controls during each stage of production,” said Victor Ferrari, CEO of Horphag Research.

Pycnogenol® is being manufactured at Biolandes in a dedicated extraction plant exclusively for Horphag Research. Biolandes has made large investments in order to meet GMP compliance and increase capacity to handle the increasing demand for Pycnogenol® worldwide. The manufacturing facility is located in southwestern France and is surrounded by the maritime pine forests. Incidentally, no toxic substances are being released or used during the manufacturing process.

According to Ferrari, “GMP certification was a top priority as we continue to differentiate Pycnogenol® in the marketplace as a superior ingredient while providing customers exceptional quality raw material and proper compliance measures. We are in a unique position as Pycnogenol® is known as “gold standard” ingredient due to our investment in 40 plus years of scientific research, safety data and subsequent health applications. In the current marketplace now more than ever it’s important to be diligent and offer customers every quality control measure available. We are privileged to be associated with Biolandes for the manufacturing of Pycnogenol®.”

The GMP certification process required extensive inspections of the manufacturing site in France. According to AFSSAPS, the facility was found to comply with the principles of GMP for active substances of its maritime pine extract, Pycnogenol®. Specifications for compliance observed during the audit included quality control, control and management of manufacturing/extraction processes and facility and testing of the ingredient to ensure purity and composition.