Mimer Medical Advances in Health Claim Substantiation for Appethyl
Swedish pharmaceutical company Mimer Medical has achieved a significant milestone in the complex landscape of supplement health claim substantiation. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has deemed its dossier valid for formal scientific review.
A Major Milestone
Professor Jan Bruhn, Mimer Medical’s senior vice president of R&D, expressed enthusiasm about this progress. “It’s very inspiring to get this far. We think this is a significant milestone in a process we have been diligently working on for the last two to three years.”
Despite the team’s extensive experience in pharma research and regulation, the journey to health claim approval has been notably challenging. Bruhn shared that out of 61 health claim applications submitted to EFSA between 2010 and 2020, only six were accepted.
The Claim Under Review
In September 2025, Mimer Medical submitted an application claiming that “consumption of Appethyl as part of a meal prolongs satiety and reduces cravings.” This claim is supported by five clinical trials, including a 2015 study that linked a 5-gram dose of the spinach extract to a 43% improvement in weight loss and an 85% reduction in cravings for unhealthy foods.
Following the move to scientific review, Mimer Medical is now considering acquisition offers for the Appethyl project, which includes patents and clinical documentation. Initially intending to produce and market the supplement, the team realized the need to partner with a specialized company for further development.
Appethyl’s Origins
Appethyl was conceived by Lund University professors Charlotte Erlanson-Albertsson and Per-Åke Albertsson, who combined their expertise in weight management and photosynthesis nearly two decades ago. The product is a spinach extract enriched with thylakoids, which are known to slow fat digestion and increase the production of satiety hormones like GLP-1 and CCK.
After the bankruptcy of Greenleaf Medical, which previously licensed the manufacturing rights, Mimer Medical acquired the intellectual property and aims to rejuvenate the product, believing it has significant potential in the growing weight management market.
Competitive Edge
Bruhn highlighted that while the supplements market features several natural GLP-1 agonist competitors, Appethyl’s unique selling proposition lies in its dual impact on hunger hormones, providing a broader and gentler effect compared to pharmaceuticals.
For those interested in pursuing acquisition or collaboration opportunities, Mimer Medical has partnered with M&A firm Clairfield International. Public access to portions of the EFSA dossier can be found on their site.
As Mimer Medical moves forward, Bruhn emphasized the project’s need for a team skilled in both scientific substantiation and regulation, ensuring it is placed in capable hands for future development.
