ANAHEIM, CALIF. — To strengthen its current R.&D. services, Nellson, L.L.C., has established a Scientific Advisory Alliance to support its commercial development team. Hector Lopez along with Tim Ziegenfuss and Tim Avila will act as the nutritional bar manufacturer’s scientific advisers on the alliance.

The group will provide technical expertise in product development and formulation and will expand the company’s clinical R.&D. database on ingredients in the dietary supplement and functional food industries. They also will provide its branded and private label customers third-party validation on nutritional benefit claims.

“Dr. Lopez and the team of industry experts have a deep and broad knowledge base in functional ingredients, as well as macronutrients like proteins, fibers and sugars,” said Bart Child, senior vice-president of commercial development, Nellson. “This is a great opportunity for our company and our customers, and we are excited to have these experts as an extension of the Nellson team, ensuring we continue to successfully create new and improved functional powder solutions and nutritional bars that consumers will embrace.”

 Dr. Lopez will lead the alliance. He is a researcher, developer, safety and regulatory compliance adviser in nutra-biosciences, dietary supplements, and the medical foods and beverage industries. Dr. Lopez is a partner at The Center for Applied Health Sciences, L.L.C., and is a founding partner of Supplement Safety Solutions.

Joining Dr. Lopez as an adviser, Dr. Ziegenfuss is a sports nutrition and exercise scientist, chief executive officer and co-founder of The Center for Applied Health Sciences and fellow at The International Society of Sports Nutrition. In addition, Mr. Avila will support the group. He has more than 28 years of experience in the discovery, validation and branding of bioactive ingredients and consumer packaged nutrition products. He is president of Systems Bioscience, Inc., and has obtained a 20-year tenure as senior executive adviser to Informa Exhibitions’ Global Health and Nutrition division.

Jamie Better, c.e.o. of Nellson, noted that the partnership will deliver unique insights and expertise to its clients.

“This alliance demonstrates our ongoing commitment to deepening our scientific knowledge and providing our customers with best-in-class R.&D. services,” Mr. Better said. “Under Dr. Lopez’s and his partners’ leadership, we believe our Scientific Advisory Alliance will take us to the next level of customer support and success.”