Entrepreneurship

Innovate Forward: The Healthy Aging Challenge

Meet our 2025 winner!

Nestlé Health Science, a global leader in nutritional health and wellness, and the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, through its Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute, are proud to announce the winner of Innovate Forward: The Healthy Aging Challenge, an innovation challenge focusing on the development of impactful healthy aging products and systems. This is the second edition of the annual joint challenge.

Following a rigorous review of pitches from applicants, Kresko RNAtech has been selected as the winner for its outstanding commitment to advancing the science behind dietary supplements and functional foods and beverages.

By unlocking the potential of dietary RNAs—bioactive compounds naturally found in fresh foods that play a crucial role in cellular health—Kresko RNAtech has demonstrated their exceptional ability to discover and leverage dietary RNAs for use as functional ingredients across a diverse array of products. Their innovative technology enables the discovery and stabilization of RNA compounds that can be incorporated into food and supplements, effectively addressing various health needs and supporting consumer demands.

“Kresko RNAtech emerged as an outstanding applicant and we’re thrilled to name their business as the winner of our annual Innovation Challenge, now in its second year,” said Rania Abou Samra, Global Head of Technology and Product Development for Nestlé Health Science. “The team’s innovative approach to dietary RNAs complements our commitment to advancing nutritional science and developing solutions that support overall health and wellness. We’re excited to continue supporting their mission.”

As the selected winner, Kresko RNAtech will receive in-depth mentorship, strategy guidance, and technical support from experts at Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University, in addition to a one-year membership on the Institute’s Food & Nutrition Innovation Council with access to its network.

“We are excited to welcome Kresko RNAtech to the Food & Nutrition Innovation Council as the winner of this year’s Innovate Forward Challenge,” added Katie Stebbins, Executive Director of the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute. “We are equally excited to collaborate with Nestlé Health Science to support Kresko RNAtech as they continue to add value to their science and product offerings.”

Kresko RNAtech: Unleashing the Full-Power Of Fresh Foods
Kresko RNAtech is a biotech company focused on unlocking the hidden potential of dietary RNAs from fresh foods. With expertise in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and product development, the company is uniquely equipped to transform cutting-edge research into practical, market-ready solutions for wellness, supplements, and cosmetics. By stabilizing natural dietary RNAs and demonstrating the inherent benefits of these molecules, Kresko RNAtech looks to enable companies to create a new generation of food and supplements that deliver proven, long-lasting benefits beyond basic nutrition.

“We are excited to embark on this journey with Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University. Their expertise and guidance will help us unlock new possibilities for dietary RNAs, enabling us to create products that deliver meaningful health benefits and meet the evolving needs of consumers,” said Silvana Spinelli, Kresko RNAtech Chief Executive Officer.

About Nestlé Health Science
Nestlé Health Science, a leader in the science of nutrition, is a globally managed business unit of Nestlé. We are committed to redefining the management of health, offering an extensive portfolio of science-based consumer health, medical nutrition, pharmaceutical therapies, and vitamin and supplement brands. Our extensive research network provides the foundation for products that empower healthier lives through nutrition. Headquartered in Switzerland, we have more than 12,000 employees around the world, with products available in more than 140 countries. For more information, please visit www.nestlehealthscience.com.