28th of February 2024

Industry News Roundup – February 2024

Each month we prepare a curated selection of only the most relevant news, new clinical studies, and new product launches in the nutraceutical industry.

research.

Gencor Highlights Clinical Findings for Levagen+
A recent human clinical trial reveals that Gencor’s PEA ingredient, Levagen+, can help alleviate the discomfort associated with migraine headaches. The study also found that Levagen+ may reduce the duration of migraines in healthy individuals.

new launches.

Kerry Launches Plenibiotic Postbiotic Ingredient
Kerry has launched Plenibiotic, a new rice-derived postbiotic ingredient derived from Lactobacillus casei subsp. 327, which is formulated to improve digestive and skin health with clinical support from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

Bartek Introduces Refortify Line of Electrolytes and Fortification Salts
Bartek Ingredients unveiled a new line of electrolyte and fortification salts at SupplySide West (October 2023). The first ingredients to launch under the Refortify brand are magnesium malate, mono-sodium malate, and mono-potassium malate. These ingredients address the crucial electrolyte and mineral supplement needs of consumers and can serve brands launching products in this fast-growing category.

PLT Health Solutions Unveils Strengthera Muscle Maintenance+Vitality
PLT Health Solutions introduces Strengthera Muscle Maintenance+Vitality, a brand aimed at optimizing muscle health, strength, and endurance. Clinical evidence suggests Strengthera — which contains thistle and mango tree bark extracts — enhances mitochondrial energy, making exercise more efficient and productive. Moreover, it says the product is sustainably produced and safe and offers botanical support for aging muscles and benefits beyond traditional exercise and nutrition strategies. Strengthera subjects experienced a 1.9 times greater improvement in walking capacity, as measured by distance and speed, over placebo recipients. Moreover, improvements were observed in lean muscle mass, energy, and vitality.

PLT Health Solutions Launches Serezin for Sleep and Pain Relief
PLT Health Solutions has entered the sleep category with its new Serezin-branded formula, designed to provide fast-acting pain relief for more restful nights & upbeat days. The blend of Boswellia serrata (gum resin from the Frankincense tree) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) extracts takes a different approach to many sleep aids by addressing the everyday aches and pains that contribute to poor sleep quality, particularly as people age.

FrieslandCampina Introduces Microencapsulated Algae DHA Powders for Vegetarian and Vegan Consumers
FrieslandCampina Ingredients has launched two algae-based, microencapsulated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ingredients to offer manufacturers more options in catering to vegetarian and vegan consumers. The global ingredients manufacturer designed the new omega-3 powders to help brands offer multifunctional health benefits without compromising on consumer experience or dietary preference.

Biocidin Botanicals Launches Dentalflora
Biocidin Botanicals has added a dentist-formulated daily oral probiotic – Dentalflora – to its Smile category of “Dentaceuticals”. Dentalflora is said to promote healthy salivary production, which helps lubricate the gums and teeth and minimizes bad breath, disrupt dental plaque biofilms, support a healthy inflammatory response, and modulate microbial balance. It is formulated with a proprietary blend of probiotics – Streptococcus salivarius BLIS M18 (BLIS Technologies), Lactobacillus paracasei, L. salivarius, and L. reuteri (total: 3bn CFUs / tablet) – alongside organic spearmint leaf extract and xylitol. The dissolvable tablet can be taken anytime, but Biocidin recommends that bedtime is most effective; it is suitable for adults and children aged 4+ years. A 30-count bottle costs US$34.97 from Biocidin’s website.

Ayana Teams with Wooree to Develop Sustainable Saffron for Weight Loss Supplements
Plant cell technology company Ayana Bio has agreed to develop plant cell-derived saffron and other bioactive ingredients for health & wellness products for the South Korean market jointly with South Korea’s Wooree Green Science (Wooree Bio). The companies say saffron can aid weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing metabolism. However, it is an expensive ingredient for supplements because it can take up to 170,000 flowers to produce just 1kg of saffron; it is also affected by crop failures driven by climate change and labor-intensive harvesting needs. Ayana and WGS will address these issues by producing saffron bioactives using plant cell cultivation, an alternative production method that bypasses the constraints of agricultural supply chains. Under the agreement, saffron and other ingredients (not named) will join Ayana’s Plant Cell Advantage ingredient portfolio.

Bayer Introduces Midol Supplements
Bayer has extended its Midol line with the online launch of two dietary supplements, both in capsule format. Midol Peace Out PMS is formulated with chasteberry extract, ginger powder, and valerian extract to help relieve bloating, breast tenderness, and mild mood changes. The recommended use is one capsule daily for three months and beyond. Designed for occasional use, Midol ZZZ’s Please is formulated with melatonin and passionflower to help the brain relax for a better night’s sleep. The supplements launched in January 2024 on Amazon.com, priced at US$19.99 for 30 capsules. In March 2024, Bayer plans to expand distribution by introducing Peace Out PMS to selected US retailers.

Bayer Consumer Health Launches CanesBiotics
Bayer Consumer Health’s new CanesBiotics Intimate Care contains 4bn live cultures from Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium, which are naturally present in the vaginal flora. The capsules also contain high-strength vitamin B2 to support the maintenance of mucous membranes and normal skin such as vaginal mucosa and vulvar skin. Suitable for women in all life stages including pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, post-partum, and menopause, CanesBiotics can be taken daily.

Nature Made Unveils Multivitamin Gummies Addressing Common Dietary Shortfalls
Nature Made has expanded its multivitamin portfolio with Advanced Multivitamin Gummies, an easy-to-take product range featuring 60% more total nutrients than its current offerings and addresses a broader spectrum of consumer lifestyle needs.
Nature Made’s new multivitamins contain 20 essential nutrients and a dose of high-absorption magnesium citrate to support muscle relaxation and nerve, heart, and bone health. It has added calcium to support strong bones and is a good source of the vital eight B vitamins that enhance brain function. The vitamins are available in mixed berry and tropical fruit flavors.

partnerships, M&A.

Verb Biotics Partners With Israeli Firm to Speed Product Development
Microbial ingredients innovator Verb Biotics has announced a new partnership with Evogene Ltd. that, according to the company, will further speed its product development cycle. Evogene advertises a so-called Computation Predictive Biology (CPB) platform, which is claimed to incorporate “deep understanding of biology leveraged through the power of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence.” Using the AI-powered computational technique, the company can unlock new product development avenues in the fields of microbes, small molecules, and genetic elements.

Novonesis is Born of Novozymes and Christian Hansen merger
Novozymes and Christian Hanses have completed their merger, giving rise to a new global bio solutions company called Novonesis.

Novo Holdings Acquires Catalent
Novo Holdings, a Danish holding and investment company that is responsible for managing the assets and wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, has entered into a merger agreement under which it will acquire Catalent in an all-cash transaction that values the US-based business at US$16.5bn on an enterprise value basis. Novo Holdings will acquire all outstanding shares of Catalent for US$63.50 cash per share. Following closing, which is expected towards end-2024, Catalent shares will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange and it will become a private company.
Of Catalent’s 50+ global sites, Novo Holdings intends to sell three fill-finish facilities in the USA, Italy, and Belgium and related assets to Novo Nordisk, in which Novo Holdings has a controlling interest, for US$11bn. The acquisition is aligned with Novo Nordisk’s strategy of reaching more people living with diabetes and obesity with current and future treatments including Wegovy (semaglutide). It enables an expansion of the manufacturing capacity at scale and speed, while providing future optionality and flexibility for Novo Nordisk’s existing supply network.

Perelel Completes Financing Round
OB/GYN-founded vitamin company Perelel has completed a US$6mn Series A financing round led by Unilever Ventures, Willow Growth, and Selva Ventures. The company has raised a total of US$12.1mn in funding to fuel its mission of advancing the future of women’s reproductive care.

personalization.

Startup Set to Deliver Personalized ‘all-in-one’ Nutrition
Berlin-based supplement startup Riise is preparing to launch its personalized microgranule nutrient blends to meet individual nutritional needs and health goals, overcoming the need for multiple pills and capsules. Developed in partnership with nutritionists and health supplement brand MyVeggie, the personalized blends provide up to 25 nutrients in a daily sachet of microgranules and are created based on answers received from health and lifestyle questionnaires. The company is set to launch its home-delivered subscription boxes and online nutrition platform later this month (February 2024).

technology.

Hologram Sciences Employs AI to Improve Patient Nutritional Monitoring
Hologram Sciences will integrate its Nutrition Multimodal Language Model (NuMLM) in healthcare settings to provide accurate, real-time nutritional monitoring at scale. The company is preparing for the first clinical application of the model — a key component of its Precision Nutrition Platform — at the US Mayo Clinic, aiming to address malnutrition challenges in surgical recovery and enhance patient care.
NuMLM is designed to be simple to implement in a clinical setting. Through pre- and post-consumption images of patient meals, it automatically measures what nutrients they consumed.

Kenvue Launches Gut2Know by Imodium
Gut2Know by Imodium (Kenvue) is a new holistic gut health app, which empowers diarrhea sufferers in the UK to boost their gut knowledge and track and identify triggers for their symptoms. The app, which is available free of charge across the Apple App Store and Google Play, uses AI to analyze reported symptoms and food tracking to identify potential triggers such as stress or diet. Through in-app learning modules, it offers personalized and practical things to help users build better gut habits, as well as providing regular health questionnaires to track positive changes over time. Gut2Know was developed using key insights from pharmacists, gastrointestinal doctors, and nutritionists in recognition of the need to not only treat the immediate symptoms of diarrhea but also the underlying mechanisms behind poor gut health.

Access the app

marketing campaigns.

Boots Champions Women’s Health
Boots (Walgreens Boots Alliance) has launched its largest-ever healthcare campaign that puts women’s experiences at its center. The Our Health is as Individual as We Are campaign is supported by a TV ad, which follows several women navigating familiar life moments. Female healthcare issues are also discussed in the Boots Taboo Talk podcast, which has covered periods, menopause, fertility, and other topics. The campaign highlights Boots’ solutions to women’s healthcare needs as the health & beauty retailer expands the number of products and services it offers women online and in-store, alongside pharmacist advice. As part of the campaign, Boots has extended its Price Advantage scheme to a wide range of women’s healthcare products. These include the Pregnacare and Menopace supplement ranges, alongside own-brand products such as Boots Evening Primrose Oil Capsules, Boots Dual Action Thrush, and BV Pessaries, plus Boots TENS Digital Pain Relief, which provides temporary drug-free relief from period pain.

Neuriva Launches Brain Health Challenge
Neuriva (Reckitt) launched a 30-day brain health challenge, a daily commitment to cognitive wellbeing, featuring simple daily activities.

other market data & trends.

EU Consumers Recognise Value of Pharmacists
A survey of 5,007 adults aged 18-74 years in UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, commissioned by Kenvue, indicates that many recognize the positive role pharmacists and self-care play in building sustainable healthcare systems. While the data show it is common for consumers to seek advice or reassurance from a GP, particularly when symptoms last longer than usual or are worse than normal, 49% have chosen to visit a pharmacist for advice in the past year. The Top 5 reasons for purchasing medicines to treat common ailments at the pharmacy instead of consulting with a doctor are:

More convenient (40%)
Saves time (39%)
Trust the pharmacist (37%)
Consumers know what to do (37%)
Saves the doctor time (36%)

Results also suggest that consumers would benefit from a greater understanding of the services and advice pharmacists offer. Some 30% currently choose to visit a doctor for minor ailments simply for reassurance, while 22% would see a doctor for guidance on product choice or dosage – both areas where pharmacists could provide advice and help consumers feel more confident about their self-care choices.

2023 Life Extension Survey Reveals 90% of Consumers Over 61 Interested in Brain Health Supplements
Keeping the brain sharp is a primary goal for consumers over the age of 61, according to a 2023 Life Extension survey. Of the 7,000 people polled by the company, 90% were interested in taking a brain health supplement—with memory being a top priority for respondents (76%), brain performance a close second (72%), and mental sharpness coming in third (69%).

Recent trends in galenics

Among delivery formats in nutraceutical products, liquids, such as sprays and shots, and gummies are gaining popularity.

Trends in sleep supplements

Sleep and relaxation supplements continue to be popular among consumers.

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