National Co+op Grocers (NCG), SPINS, Aker BioMaine, the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) and InterHealth Nutraceuticals announced new expansions, partnerships and mergers to expand their outreach and/or grow their businesses.

NCG recently joined the IX-ONE Product Data and Image Exchange as a founding member. NCG will use IX-ONE data in its new item and promotions programs to streamline business processes, and it will strongly encourage its industry suppliers and brokers to become members of the IX-ONE exchange as well. The IX-ONE solution scans a 360-degree product image and captures all product attributes to create a centralized hub for manufacturers to access and share their product information. It captures more than 20 images and 500 data points per item, including label-based claims and third party certifications, as well as supply chain and logistic information such as weight and dimensions.

NCG also expanded its ten-year partnership with SPINS, representing both companies’ commitment to dedicated stakeholders within the natural products industry. The two companies have worked together since 2007 to optimize support of NCG’s retail food co-ops and their 1.3 million consumer-owners. SPINS will collaborate with and support NCG’s initiatives to develop innovative brands to ensure food co-op shoppers have early access to new products.

Aker BioMarine is accepting new partners for their Open Innovation program, which is tailored to researchers and product developers interested in different krill innovations for delivery (such as combination products and new formulations). The program offers many key benefits, such as access to Aker BioMarine's patents, free supply of products, access to comprehensive pre-clinical and clinical database, support in formulation development, support from the Aker BioMarine R&D team and resource sharing for developing unique end-product concepts and initial commercialization.

UNPA announced that Lindon, Utah-based NUVI has joined the association as its newest science and technology services member. UNPA also welcomed Sabinsa Corp. as a returning executive member, along with three new associate members, and the executive-level membership of Global Health Industries (GHI). Joining the association as associate members are: CoQ10 Association, Salt Lake City; LifeScienceRisk, Chicago; and NFP Property and Casualty Services Inc., New York.

And finally, Next Pharmaceuticals sold substantially all of its assets, including the Relora®, Sytrinol®, Seditol® and Nexrutine® brands to InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc. as of May 8, 2015.  The transaction marks the third acquisition completed by InterHealth since its acquisition by Kainos Capital in November 2013.