By Sheldon Baker10.08.21
Richelle Talbot is director of sales, human nutrition for PanTheryx, a position she has held since June 2021. She has more than 10 years of sales and business development experience in the human nutrition category. Previously, Talbot was the business development manager for Pyure Brands, where she was responsible for ingredient and specialty sales for the company’s product portfolio. Her prior experiences include running a human nutrition consulting company, as well as serving as vice president of sales for Axiom Foods. Talbot has successfully launched products globally by collaborating with external partners and optimizing operational execution within the development, production, and commercialization stages. She has a keen eye for seeing the value-added differentiation that allows for added profit, higher average selling prices, and greater market share.
Health E-Insights: Please share a little about PanTheryx.
Talbot: PanTheryx was founded to create a colostrum-based solution for occasional or acute pediatric infectious diarrhea, the second leading killer of children under the age of 5 in the developing world. In 2016, the company acquired APS BioGroup, Inc. and La Belle Associates, Inc., which were two of the world’s leading suppliers of bovine (cow) colostrum, making PanTheryx the largest global producer of colostrum. Today, with more than 35 years of experience, we are delivering high-quality bovine colostrum to dietary supplement, food, and beverage manufacturers for human and animal nutrition throughout the world. We have manufacturing facilities in Phoenix, AZ, and Ripon, CA, and we employ more than 120 people across our facilities. We have production capacity to supply 78% of the current global demand for cow colostrum and continue to increase production capacity to support growing business and new opportunities.
Health E-Insights: As director of sales on the human nutrition side, what does that entail?
Talbot: I think of my role extending beyond director of sales to more of a holistic solutions provider. I take a consultative approach with my clients by researching their company and analyzing their historical sales and business relationships. With the mindset of a solutions provider, I can help a food, beverage ,or dietary supplement manufacturer identify mutually beneficial supply contract terms for product consistency as well as price and supply consistency.
In addition, I advise on supply chain efficiencies such as order consolidation to help with price and logistic costs. In my role, I try to identify client value-added opportunities such as formulation and flavor innovation for quality enhancements and product line extensions, contract manufacturing with patented technology, and marketing support with research-based claims, brand positioning, packaging design, and activation. I enjoy leading the sales team by developing sales tactics that respond to customer feedback and map back to PanTheryx’s vision.
Health E-Insights: Colostrum must be more important than ever as it provides immune support?
Talbot: There is certainly increased interest from manufacturers in learning more about the immune health benefits of cow colostrum, especially given the current health environment. Research has shown that consumption of cow colostrum provides bovine immunoglobulins, which can play a vital role in supporting immune health (Ulfman, L. H., et al. (2018). Frontiers in nutrition, 5, 52). The predominant bovine immunoglobulin class is IgG, which can help prevent pathogen binding to our own cells, present pathogens to macrophages for destruction, stimulate T cell and B cell immune responses, modify intestinal microflora, and induce local immunoglobulin A production. IgG can positively impact the adaptive and innate immune systems as well as provide passive immunity as they pass through the oral gastrointestinal tract.
Health E-Insights: What other health benefits does colostrum provide?
Talbot: Digestive health is a significant health benefit of cow colostrum. Unlike standalone probiotic and prebiotic products, colostrum is a unique, functional ingredient that contains more than 250 beneficial bioactive components. These components include immunoglobulins (IgG) growth factors including the importance for gut barrier integrity and healing processes, oligosaccharides (these complex sugars feed good bacteria in the gut (a prebiotic function), and immune factors (protect against things like viruses and bacteria, as well as modulate the immune system). In addition, cow colostrum has been studied for its health benefits within sports performance and in early life.
Health E-Insights: Product development includes contract and toll manufacturing, as well as retail brands. Please elaborate.
Talbot: PanTheryx has a unique position within the nutrition sector as we are a holistic partner by offering supply chain management, both contract and toll manufacturing, product sourcing of cow colostrum, and developing proof of concept products that appeal to consumers. Our DiaResQ brand has been in the market for many years, and we expanded our footprint in retail this year with the acquisition of TruBiotics and Goodgut as well as the availability of Life’s First Naturals’ cow colostrum supplements, which are sold DTC and through Amazon.
We can control every stage of production, from cow colostrum collection through processing in our state-of-the-art, vertically-integrated facilities. Our facilities are registered FDA and USDA inspected, and we feature an in-house analytical testing laboratory and accredited third-party validation. Our colostrum collection occurs year-round, and we only collect from first-day milkings after the calf receives what it needs. And, we have multiple colostrum manufacturing locations so we can ensure reliability with a consistent supply of colostrum. Our manufacturing capabilities are comprehensive. We offer bulk colostrum, blended powders, tablets, and capsules; and our packaging includes jugs, bottles, and single-serve sachets.
Health E-Insights: Discuss your patented DiaResQ technology.
Talbot: DiaResQ was initially developed with a mission to create a colostrum-based nutritional solution for occasional pediatric diarrhea, which is the second leading killer of children 5 and under in developing countries. DiaResQ is available in the U.S. and can be found on Amazon.
Health E-Insights: How far-ranging is the company’s global commercialization?
Talbot: Cow colostrum is found in more than 400 health products globally. These products consist of standalone cow colostrum supplements, or functional foods and beverages that include cow colostrum for both human and animal nutrition. A few dietary supplements for humans includes 4Life, Life’s First Naturals, NOW Foods, Sovereign Labs, New Image Group, BabyCare, Symbiotics, UpSpring and VitaDairy. Our ColostrumOne ingredient is available to product manufacturers in North America, South America, Europe, and APAC.
Health E-Insights: Any future plans for corporate expansion that you can reveal at this time?
Talbot: Earlier this year, we acquired two digestive health brands, TruBiotics probiotics and Goodgut digestive health products. Our innovation group is working diligently to explore new product combinations that give manufacturers unique and forward-thinking formulation ideas while delivering integrative digestive and immune health products to consumers. Our hope is to significantly expand our product portfolio over the next 12-18 months.
It has been a busy year for PanTheryx. We also launched new delivery formats for ColostrumOne, marking the first time these formats were made available in the U.S. for cow colostrum. The new formulations include extruded soft-chews, soft press, and baked nutrition bars. In all applications, ColostrumOne’s Immunoglobulins (IgG) remain stable throughout the manufacturing process. We look forward to building these capabilities and exploring additional product formulations in the near future.
Health E-Insights: When not selling PanTheryx products and services, what do you like to do for fun?
Talbot: What makes my heart smile and brings me joy is helping through acts of kindness and healing through nutrition. And I practice what I preach. I live an active and mindful life by enjoying hiking, functional training, cycling, yoga, and resistance training.
Sheldon Baker is chief executive officer of Baker Dillon Group LLC and has created numerous nutraceutical brand marketing communications and public relations campaigns for well-known supplement and food industry companies. For Health E-Insights interview consideration or brand marketing consulting, contact him at SBaker@BakerDillon.com.
Health E-Insights: Please share a little about PanTheryx.
Talbot: PanTheryx was founded to create a colostrum-based solution for occasional or acute pediatric infectious diarrhea, the second leading killer of children under the age of 5 in the developing world. In 2016, the company acquired APS BioGroup, Inc. and La Belle Associates, Inc., which were two of the world’s leading suppliers of bovine (cow) colostrum, making PanTheryx the largest global producer of colostrum. Today, with more than 35 years of experience, we are delivering high-quality bovine colostrum to dietary supplement, food, and beverage manufacturers for human and animal nutrition throughout the world. We have manufacturing facilities in Phoenix, AZ, and Ripon, CA, and we employ more than 120 people across our facilities. We have production capacity to supply 78% of the current global demand for cow colostrum and continue to increase production capacity to support growing business and new opportunities.
Health E-Insights: As director of sales on the human nutrition side, what does that entail?
Talbot: I think of my role extending beyond director of sales to more of a holistic solutions provider. I take a consultative approach with my clients by researching their company and analyzing their historical sales and business relationships. With the mindset of a solutions provider, I can help a food, beverage ,or dietary supplement manufacturer identify mutually beneficial supply contract terms for product consistency as well as price and supply consistency.
In addition, I advise on supply chain efficiencies such as order consolidation to help with price and logistic costs. In my role, I try to identify client value-added opportunities such as formulation and flavor innovation for quality enhancements and product line extensions, contract manufacturing with patented technology, and marketing support with research-based claims, brand positioning, packaging design, and activation. I enjoy leading the sales team by developing sales tactics that respond to customer feedback and map back to PanTheryx’s vision.
Health E-Insights: Colostrum must be more important than ever as it provides immune support?
Talbot: There is certainly increased interest from manufacturers in learning more about the immune health benefits of cow colostrum, especially given the current health environment. Research has shown that consumption of cow colostrum provides bovine immunoglobulins, which can play a vital role in supporting immune health (Ulfman, L. H., et al. (2018). Frontiers in nutrition, 5, 52). The predominant bovine immunoglobulin class is IgG, which can help prevent pathogen binding to our own cells, present pathogens to macrophages for destruction, stimulate T cell and B cell immune responses, modify intestinal microflora, and induce local immunoglobulin A production. IgG can positively impact the adaptive and innate immune systems as well as provide passive immunity as they pass through the oral gastrointestinal tract.
Health E-Insights: What other health benefits does colostrum provide?
Talbot: Digestive health is a significant health benefit of cow colostrum. Unlike standalone probiotic and prebiotic products, colostrum is a unique, functional ingredient that contains more than 250 beneficial bioactive components. These components include immunoglobulins (IgG) growth factors including the importance for gut barrier integrity and healing processes, oligosaccharides (these complex sugars feed good bacteria in the gut (a prebiotic function), and immune factors (protect against things like viruses and bacteria, as well as modulate the immune system). In addition, cow colostrum has been studied for its health benefits within sports performance and in early life.
Health E-Insights: Product development includes contract and toll manufacturing, as well as retail brands. Please elaborate.
Talbot: PanTheryx has a unique position within the nutrition sector as we are a holistic partner by offering supply chain management, both contract and toll manufacturing, product sourcing of cow colostrum, and developing proof of concept products that appeal to consumers. Our DiaResQ brand has been in the market for many years, and we expanded our footprint in retail this year with the acquisition of TruBiotics and Goodgut as well as the availability of Life’s First Naturals’ cow colostrum supplements, which are sold DTC and through Amazon.
We can control every stage of production, from cow colostrum collection through processing in our state-of-the-art, vertically-integrated facilities. Our facilities are registered FDA and USDA inspected, and we feature an in-house analytical testing laboratory and accredited third-party validation. Our colostrum collection occurs year-round, and we only collect from first-day milkings after the calf receives what it needs. And, we have multiple colostrum manufacturing locations so we can ensure reliability with a consistent supply of colostrum. Our manufacturing capabilities are comprehensive. We offer bulk colostrum, blended powders, tablets, and capsules; and our packaging includes jugs, bottles, and single-serve sachets.
Health E-Insights: Discuss your patented DiaResQ technology.
Talbot: DiaResQ was initially developed with a mission to create a colostrum-based nutritional solution for occasional pediatric diarrhea, which is the second leading killer of children 5 and under in developing countries. DiaResQ is available in the U.S. and can be found on Amazon.
Health E-Insights: How far-ranging is the company’s global commercialization?
Talbot: Cow colostrum is found in more than 400 health products globally. These products consist of standalone cow colostrum supplements, or functional foods and beverages that include cow colostrum for both human and animal nutrition. A few dietary supplements for humans includes 4Life, Life’s First Naturals, NOW Foods, Sovereign Labs, New Image Group, BabyCare, Symbiotics, UpSpring and VitaDairy. Our ColostrumOne ingredient is available to product manufacturers in North America, South America, Europe, and APAC.
Health E-Insights: Any future plans for corporate expansion that you can reveal at this time?
Talbot: Earlier this year, we acquired two digestive health brands, TruBiotics probiotics and Goodgut digestive health products. Our innovation group is working diligently to explore new product combinations that give manufacturers unique and forward-thinking formulation ideas while delivering integrative digestive and immune health products to consumers. Our hope is to significantly expand our product portfolio over the next 12-18 months.
It has been a busy year for PanTheryx. We also launched new delivery formats for ColostrumOne, marking the first time these formats were made available in the U.S. for cow colostrum. The new formulations include extruded soft-chews, soft press, and baked nutrition bars. In all applications, ColostrumOne’s Immunoglobulins (IgG) remain stable throughout the manufacturing process. We look forward to building these capabilities and exploring additional product formulations in the near future.
Health E-Insights: When not selling PanTheryx products and services, what do you like to do for fun?
Talbot: What makes my heart smile and brings me joy is helping through acts of kindness and healing through nutrition. And I practice what I preach. I live an active and mindful life by enjoying hiking, functional training, cycling, yoga, and resistance training.
Sheldon Baker is chief executive officer of Baker Dillon Group LLC and has created numerous nutraceutical brand marketing communications and public relations campaigns for well-known supplement and food industry companies. For Health E-Insights interview consideration or brand marketing consulting, contact him at SBaker@BakerDillon.com.
