The Muscle Mag
With over 20 years of experience in the life science sector and 15 years in health ingredients, Philouze has worked for companies like Gnosis by Lesaffre, QualiTech, DianaPlant Sciences, and Pfizer.
He is taking over the CEO role from Sagi Cohen, who has been in the position since 2023 and will now become the group’s Executive Chairman.
Philouze joins the firm at a crucial time, following its rebrand from Procemsa Group just two months ago to better represent its expanded product and service portfolio.
“I am honored to lead as Group CEO at this important time for Ourvita,” said Philouze. “We have been acquiring other companies to provide customers with a wider range of options, necessitating a new name to show the unity of our collaborations.”
“I’m excited to lead the expansion of the business by acquiring companies in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. to establish Ourvita as a global player.”
Founded in 1939, the contract development and manufacturing organization is well-known in nutrition, cosmetics, probiotics, and medical devices. It is set to launch new offerings in supplement forms, medical devices, and cosmetic and pet cosmetic lines, some of which will be showcased during Vitafoods in Geneva from May 14 to 16.
“We focus on two key aspects of our business: innovation through manufacturing facilities and technologies that give us a competitive edge, and sustainability, as demonstrated by Procemsa receiving an Ecovadis Gold award in 2022 and 2023 and nearing B-Corp certification,” Philouze explained. “We ensure that all acquired companies meet these high standards.”
The company’s recent acquisitions include OFI, a pharmaceutical firm from Italy established in 1946; Aakamp, a German D2C supplements producer founded 15 years ago, expanding the firm’s D2C sales channel access; and Master Pharm, a Polish CDMO founded in 2002, providing innovative formats like micropellets in transparent capsules.
With eight manufacturing facilities, 17 patents, and over 5,000 product SKUs manufactured annually, Ourvita now serves Europe, the U.S., and parts of Asia with a mission to provide consumers with innovative and healthy products.
Regarding his new role, Philouze expressed enthusiasm for delving into format innovation.
“Coming from the ingredients space, I am excited to innovate in formats to make ingredients more appealing to consumers,” he said. “Consumer experience is key, focusing on flavors and ease of consumption, which has led to the success of gummies, particularly among younger consumers in the U.S.”
Philouze also noted the varying format preferences across demographics and geographies.
“For instance, in regions like Asia with high temperatures, certain formats may be challenging,” he explained. “While probiotics in chocolate may be popular in some areas, it may not be suitable for high-temperature and humidity regions.”
“In the U.S., there is a strong emphasis on consumption experience, whereas in countries like Italy where there is a history of supplement consumption, consumers prioritize effectiveness over experience,” Philouze added.
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