Mobilee's main component is hyaluronic acid, and is said to improve muscle strength and joint health. Derived from rooster combs through an extraction and purification process, it also contains other naturally occurring substances, such as polysaccharides and collagen.
Bioiberica stated in a press release that this was the first time hyaluronic acid had been approved for the aforementioned uses in either country, a move the company believes will help the 6.8 million Australians with mobility problems, of which over two million have osteoarthritis.
Jaume Reguant, director of Bioibérica's International Human Health division, told NutraIngredients-Asia: "Our company, which specialises in joint health, realised that mobility was becoming an important health concern among adults.
"Seniors, middle-aged adults, menopausal women…all of them want to keep physically active. However, many of them have mobility problems, and sports practice is a recognised risk factor in the development of joint and muscle conditions.
"That's why we decided to develop Mobilee, an ingredient that helps maintain joint health and muscle function."
Tested and used
He added that Mobilee's efficacy and safety had been tested in five RCTs and six pre-clinical studies over five years, and had been used in food supplements, as well as both functional and medical foods.
"It is very easy to formulate thanks to its low dose (only 80mg) and excellent organoleptic properties. Some examples of products containing Mobilee are Articolageno in Spain, Artrosulfur Visc in Italy, Mobiflex in Malaysia, and Collagen Factors in the US."
Additionally, the European Commission has approved it as a Novel Food, and it has obtained GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the US.
Market matters
Regarding Bioibérica's decision to enter the Australian and Kiwi markets, Reguant said the main reason was their high market potential, especially in Australia, where mobility issues and joint conditions are common.
He continued: "The approval of Mobilee in Australia and New Zealand as a complementary medicine ingredient and non-traditional ingredient for use in functional foods by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) and FSANZ (Food Standard Australia New Zealand) is key to Bioibérica's international expansion plan in the joint health and mobility area.
"This year, the company plans to sign different supply and distribution agreements with local companies across the two countries."
The company is also looking at the wider APAC region, though Reguant preferred not to divulge details, merely saying, "APAC is a strategic area of growth for Bioibérica and the approval of Mobilee in Australia and New Zealand is a good starting point. We are confident that it will get the necessary approvals in the different countries of the APAC region."
He added: "Bioibérica expects to keep growing in the joint health and mobility area, which is one of our areas of specialisation."
The firm, which employs nearly 400 people, specialises in researching, producing and selling biomolecules such as hyaluronic acid, heparin, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulphate.