Halifax-based Novagevity has received $344,602 from Natural Products Canada, or NPC, to validate and optimize two new plant-based nutrition products under its Sperri brand.

The funding will support development of Sperri Control, a beverage targeting glycemic health, and Sperri Kids, a pediatric oral nutrition supplement. Both products are designed to provide higher levels of protein and fibre with less sugar, while remaining free of gluten, soy, dairy and artificial ingredients.

The project has a total budget of $861,507, with NPC’s contribution covering about 40 per cent of the cost. The funding comes through NPC’s Proof of Concept program, which supports early-stage companies as they test and prepare products for commercialization. The Charlottetown-based organization describes it as a “non-dilutive, non-repayable contribution.”

Novagevity says Sperri is Canada’s first organic, plant-based, allergen-free complete meal replacement beverage. The new project will focus on validating and optimizing the two products, generating evidence to support their further development and potential entry into the market.

Two years ago, Novagevity closed an equity funding round worth more than $4 million, led by Nàdarra Ventures (which was originally launched by NPC) and supported by Invest Nova Scotia.

The contribution is part of a $1.02-million funding package announced by NPC for five early-stage Canadian companies. The five projects have a combined value of $2.54 million and are supported by the federal government’s Strategic Response Fund.

The other recipients are: Catalera Biosolutions of British Columbia, which is testing a natural wax-based seed coating for biological treatments; Sustainable Bioproducts Innovations, also of British Columbia, which is advancing a plant-based fat replacement for food products; and Ontario companies Toothpod, which is developing a functional chewing gum for oral health, and Naturfect Natural Solutions, which is conducting a scale-up trial of its plant-based laundry detergent.