The Muscle Mag
With more than twenty years of experience in the life science sector and fifteen years specifically in health ingredients, Philouze has worked for companies such as 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 transition to group Executive Chairman.
Joining the company at a critical time, Philouze comes aboard after the recent rebranding from Procemsa Group to Ourvita, to better represent the expanded range of products and services offered.
“I am privileged to assume the role of Group CEO at this crucial juncture for Ourvita,” said Philouze. “Our acquisition strategy has enabled us to provide customers with a comprehensive range of options, prompting the need for a new name that reflects the unity of our collaborative companies.”
“I’m thrilled to lead the growth of the business, continuing our acquisitions in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. to establish a global presence,” added Philouze.
The contract development and manufacturing organization, established in 1939, has a strong presence in nutrition, cosmetics, probiotics, and medical devices, and is gearing up to launch several new offerings in supplement forms, medical devices, and cosmetic and pet cosmetic lines, with many of them set to be showcased during Vitafoods in Geneva from May 14 to 16.
“In our business, we prioritize innovation with our manufacturing facilities and technologies that give us a competitive edge, as well as sustainability, as demonstrated by our Ecovadis Gold awards in 2022 and 2023, along with our ongoing efforts to become a B-Corp,” Philouze explained. “We ensure that all the companies we acquire meet the same high standards.”
The company’s recent acquisitions include OFI, a pharmaceutical company founded in Italy in 1946; Aakamp, a German direct-to-consumer supplements producer, providing access to the agile D2C sales channel; and Master Pharm, a Polish CDMO specializing in innovative formats such as micropellets in transparent capsules.
With eight manufacturing facilities, 17 patents, and over 5,000 different product SKUs manufactured annually, Ourvita now serves Europe, the U.S., and parts of Asia, aiming to “delight consumers with novel and healthy products.”
Moving from the ingredients sector, Philouze anticipates exploring format innovation in his new role.
“I find it fascinating to shift from ingredients to formats, making these ingredients more appealing to consumers,” he remarked. “Consumer experience is key, focusing on flavors and ease of consumption—this explains the success of gummies, particularly among younger consumers in the U.S.”
Philouze also highlighted the varying format preferences across demographics and geographical regions.
“For instance, in regions with high temperatures like Asia, certain formats might be more challenging,” he noted. “While probiotics in chocolate is a popular format, it may not work well in hot and humid climates.”
“In the U.S., there seems to be a stronger emphasis on the consumption experience. In countries like Italy with a long history of pharma and dietary supplement usage, consumers prioritize effectiveness over experience,” he added.
