­ Capsugel (Morristown, NJ) announced that its Licaps liquid-filled hard capsule technology has been chosen by Healthy Directions to encapsulate its Krill Omega Defense, a supplement rich in highly bioavailable omega-3 fatty acids.

“We chose Capsugel as our partner because of their superior encapsulation technologies, coupled with their expertise and experience in liquid-filled hard capsules,” said Connie Hallquist, president, Healthy Directions. “The high-quality, easy-to-swallow Licaps capsules mask the taste and odor that can be a common concern for fish oil products, all while allowing the body to absorb the benefits of this form of omega-3. These attributes help make Krill Omega Defense stand out in a competitive marketplace.”

The delicate nature of krill oil requires a tailor-made, natural encapsulation technology to ensure proper delivery and consumer satisfaction, and Licaps capsules are specifically designed for secure containment of liquids and semi-solids, providing an ideal solution to address encapsulation challenges often associated with liquid-based nutritional compounds, reported the company, noting Capsugel’s Licaps Fusion Technology creates a hermetically bonded capsule, without banding, that mitigates the risk of leaks and effectively masks the strong taste and odor of supplements such as krill oil.

Healthy Directions cited a market survey that suggests that when it comes to odor and taste, more consumers preferred krill oil doses delivered via Licaps capsule technology than those delivered in other dosage forms, such as soft gels, and they are available in both vegetarian and gelatin options.

“Demand for liquid-filled encapsulation options for dietary supplements is on the rise as customers seek the best solutions for a variety of challenging ingredients,” said Peter Zambetti, director of global business development for health and nutrition, Capsugel. “Our Licaps capsules deliver high levels of protection and enable optimal benefit of our customers’ products, ­ which is fueling an uptake of Licaps capsules in the health and nutrition marketplace.”

For more information, visit www.capsugel.com.