- On August 21st, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea issued Announcement No. 2024-386, proposing amendments to the “Regulations on Functional Ingredients and Standards and Certification for Health Functional Foods.” The main content is as follows: New regulations for the return and processing of application materials have been established. To simplify the review process for ingredients with prior evaluation experience, applications that have been returned or withdrawn within two years will only have the supplemented materials reviewed. The deadline for public comments on these amendments is October 21, 2024.
- On August 21st, according to the 2024 semi-annual report of SciTop Bio, the company reported a revenue of approximately $19.03 million in the first half of the year, a year-on-year decrease of 1.34%; net profit was approximately $6.01 million, an increase of 7.89% year-on-year. By business segment, during the first half of the year, the revenue from SciTop Bio’s edible probiotics, animal and plant microecological agents, compounded food additives, and probiotic technology services were approximately $14.05 million, $2.08 million, $2.41 million, and $276,000, respectively, with year-on-year changes of 18.15%, 86.02%, -56.35%, and -33.23%. SciTop Bio stated that the growth in revenue from the edible probiotics sector provided a strong guarantee for the company’s overall performance.
- AB-BIOTICS has launched a probiotic solution aimed at menopausal women’s health, called Gyntima Menopause, which has shown its ability to regulate estrogen levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in recent clinical studies. Gyntima Menopause is a complex probiotic composed of Lactobacillus crispatus KABP™ 052 (CECT 7480), Lactobacillus plantarum KABP™ 051 (CECT 7481), and Lactococcus lactis KABP™ 021 (CECT 7483). It reactivates estrogen through β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity, helping to slow the decline in estrogen levels during menopause.
- Recently, Bloom Nutrition launched a new series of children’s blends called “Bloom Kids.” Specifically formulated for children aged 4 and above, these drink mixes are designed to support overall health, immunity, and digestion. The blends are made from over 20 fruits and vegetables, along with prebiotics, probiotics, and vitamins A, C, D, and zinc.
- On August 12th, Sirio Pharma Co., Ltd. (stock code: 300791.SZ) released its 2024 mid-year report. The company’s total operating revenue reached approximately $272.87 million, an increase of approximately $61.2 million compared to the same period last year, marking two consecutive years of growth. This represents a 28.85% year-on-year increase. The net profit attributable to shareholders was approximately $21.16 million, an increase of approximately $7.32 million compared to the same period last year, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 52.66%.
- On August 5, 2024, China’s National Health Commission issued Announcement No. 3 of 2024 regarding eight new “Three New Foods,” which include three new food ingredients: *Bifidobacterium longum* subsp. *infantis* M-63, N-Acetylglucosamine, and Arabinoxylan.
- To meet the growing demand for high-protein products, Biotiful Gut Health has launched a new range of high-protein kefir drinks. According to Biotiful, these products represent a “world first” — the first beverage to combine 20 grams of clean protein with live cultures in a fermented dairy drink. These products contain billions of live cultures, calcium, and vitamin B12, with low fat content, making them ideal as a pre- or post-workout drink or a nutritious energy snack.
- DSM-Firmenich released its 2024 half-year performance report. According to the report, in the first half of 2024, DSM-Firmenich’s sales increased by 7% year-on-year, reaching €3.2 billion. Adjusted EBITDA grew by over 25%, reaching €513 million. As a result, based on the positive business momentum, the company has raised its full-year forecast to €2 billion.
- Tianjin Chuangyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. launched two new flagship products: IOB® Postbiotic Daily Nuts and Postbiotic Soy Milk Powder (solid drink). As the first new consumer product series in China to include postbiotics, these products are specially formulated with IOBPRO® postbiotic powder produced by segmented solid-state fermentation of probiotics. The aim is to provide innovative “breakthrough” solutions for customers in the food and health industries, offering consumers healthy and delicious snacks.
- From July 25 to 28, Probi® showcased its full product line at the 2024 BIO Asia-Taiwan series “Asia Biotech Health and Beauty Conference” in Taipei. Key products featured included LP299V® and the new Probi® Sensia, which supports gut-brain axis health.
- diproX has launched its Honor Series probiotics. The new series is designed to address six key health dimensions, providing health support at every step of a child’s growth.
- Jiabao Dairy has introduced its Super 22 Probiotic Flavored Fermented Milk, which contains 22 patented strains that work synergistically. Each bottle contains 100 billion beneficial bacteria and features imported Russian strains registered with the VKPM patent technology. The product is available in a convenient, portable bottle.
- On July 19, Culturelle launched a new HMO Probiotic Powder for children’s growth and development. Each sachet of the new product contains 300 mg of HMO, along with LGG+BB12 probiotics, algal oil DHA, and vitamin D, to support the comprehensive healthy growth of babies.
- Weiquan has launched a new Post-Meal Cleanse Flavored Fermented Milk. The product is made with A+ grade fresh milk and undergoes a 9-hour slow fermentation process for a light and refreshing taste. It uses the professional strain HN-345, with 90 billion live bacteria per 100 mL, helping to balance gut flora.
- Kerry Group announced that, in line with the requirements of the National Health Commission, it will ensure that its updated strain list closely aligns with international regulations. The following new names will be officially adopted for its three probiotic products: GanedenBC30® *Bacillus coagulans* GBI-30,6086; Hereditum LC40® *Lactobacillus fermentum* CECT5716; and Hereditum HM6 *Lactobacillus salivarius* CECT5713.
- Weikang Probiotics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. announced its Series D financing round, though the amount raised has not been disclosed. Participating investors include Suzhou Guofa Venture Capital, China Merchants Capital, and SDIC Venture Capital. Weikang Biotech is a high-tech biotechnology company specializing in the research, development, production, and application of probiotics and their derivatives.
- FrieslandCampina Ingredients announced that its strain used for producing lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) has passed the strain safety assessment by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). Following Aequival® 2′-FL, the pre-market approval process for another human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) product, Aequival® LNT, has progressed further. Both Aequival® 2′-FL and Aequival® LNT are intended to be used as nutritional fortifiers in early-life nutrition applications.
- ADM has officially opened its first dietary supplement innovation center in the Asia-Pacific region, located in its China headquarters in Shanghai. This innovation center has been developed to a high factory-level standard and will leverage ADM’s global technical resources, clinical research, technical capabilities, and product innovation to meet the growing demand for personalized health solutions in China and the Asia-Pacific market.
- Synbio Tech and South Korea’s COSMAX Group have signed a research and development cooperation agreement to jointly conduct in-depth studies on the efficacy of *Lactiplantibacillus plantarum* TWK10® in addressing metabolic syndrome.
- IFF announced that its Shanghai Innovation Center, which is also the largest innovation center for IFF in the Asia region, will be fully operational by the end of August 2024.