Royal DSM recently announced a mutually beneficial agreement between its DSM Animal Nutrition & Health business group and North Carolina State University. DSM said the research partnership, which will span 10 years, focuses on three key research areas: animal gut health, precision nutrition and data-driven decision-making for animal health.

DSM and North Carolina State recently signed a memorandum of understanding that serves as a non-binding roadmap for deepening DSM’s partnership with North Carolina State at large, with the university's College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine being the specific partners in the area of animal nutrition and health research, the announcement said.

“This opportunity to partner with DSM is especially timely as we look at the huge challenges that the world faces in terms of food supply and food security in the years to come,” College of Veterinary Medicine dean Paul Lunn said. “How we produce food and how food affects our health is a focus of DSM and both colleges. This is the perfect opportunity to address it together.”

As part of the agreement, DSM said it will provide financial resources for renovations to existing animal science buildings and the development of two new buildings at the university. DSM intends to provide funding of approximately $2.5 million for North Carolina State over the first three years, with the potential for more in subsequent years.

“With renowned experts in poultry science, animal science and veterinary medicine, coupled with ambitious scientific resources, North Carolina State University is an ideal partner for DSM,” said Tom Frost, director of innovation for DSM Animal Nutrition & Health in North America. “The collaboration with North Carolina State will also provide fertile ground for new talent development within the industry, leading to continued advancements and scientific discoveries in animal health.”

While past research collaborations between DSM and North Carolina State have focused on trials in poultry and swine health, new research projects will also include animal health and production for farmed fish, cattle, companion animals and small ruminants such as sheep and goats.

North Carolina State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences dean Richard Linton said, “North Carolina is the complete ecosystem for animal health and nutrition innovation. Not only do we have a strong agriculture and life sciences community, [but] we are home to one of the world’s largest animal agriculture economies." He added that the memorandum will enhance the university's partnership with DSM and will create new opportunities for the colleges "to leverage North Carolina State’s totally integrated food animal system, our incredible research, teaching and extension to help grow the state’s largest economic driver: agriculture.”

The partnership provides DSM with a home for research projects at North Carolina State so the company can conduct more timely research trials. To foster an impartial atmosphere, DSM will still be required to pay for trials conducted by the university. “It's a progressive model for research, allowing for more consistent research in a trial-ready environment,” Frost said.