‘World’s smartest drink’: NZ’s Ārepa outlines RCTs and Australia expansion plan with new CSO on board
New Zealand nootropic company Ārepa is investing over NZ$2 million (US$1.4m) on a series of brain health and performance clinical trials as it looks to create the world’s smartest drink.
The winner of the start-up category in the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2020, Ārepa produces a range of nootropic products from supplements, powders, to beverages, containing New Zealand blackcurrants, New Zealand pine bark extracts and L-theanine.
There are currently four separate clinical trials underway in the areas of mental performance under different types of stress (mental, physical, environmental), stress and mood, neuroprotection and immunity.
Halal opportunities: Swisse launches halal-certified supplements in South East Asia
Swisse has launched a halal-certified multivitamin in Singapore and is planning to launch more of such products in the region, with Malaysia and Indonesia the next go-to markets.
The subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed H&H Group says most of its products are made in accordance with halal standards, but it is now working on securing official halal certificates.
The company currently has two halal-certified products, namely Swisse Ultivite E-Sential Multivitamin and Swisse Ultibiotic Daily Balance Probiotic, after obtaining halal certification from the Halal Certification Authority Australia (HCAA).
Hemp and CBD in Thailand: Food and supplement companies rush into NPD as FDA approves draft regulation
A number of Thai companies, including CP Foods and DOD Biotech, have stated their intentions in developing new food, supplement and beverages containing hemp, as new regulatory developments unfold in the country.
For CP Group, its subsidiary CP Foods and Maejo University will partner in developing hemp-based ready-made foods, which are expected to be launched this year.
Using hemp from a traceable supply chain is also part of their plan in ensuring food safety.
WATCH: Microbiome, personalised nutrition, and protein…Life-Space and Nutritional Growth Solutions on R&D for kids’ supplements
In this episode of Nutrition Asia, two firms specialising in kids’ supplements – Life-Space and Nutritional Growth Solutions – have revealed their R&D priorities, including probiotics, personalised nutrition, and protein shakes for active children.
For Life-Space, the company aims to leverage on its expertise and research in maternal and infant probiotics and apply that to children’s supplements.
In fact, the company is planning to launch its very first probiotic product under its children's supplement brand Pentavite later this year or early next year.
Pandemic pounds: Mannas eyes launch of weight management and diabetes supplements in Asia
South Korean supplement brand Mannas is eyeing an expansion into Singapore, Taiwan and Japan with its dietary supplements for diabetes and obesity, which contain its brown marine algae extract functional ingredient, derived from Ecklonia cava.
The two supplements, Mannas All and Mannas Well, were first released in South Korea and Hong Kong in 2019.
According to Mannas’ marketing manager Sarah Kwon, interest boomed amid the pandemic, because “people were using their time during lockdown to lose weight.”