Clasado Biosciences and Cosmic Concord to bring prebiotic ingredient to Thai health sector

04 Aug 2023 --- Clasado Biosciences has signed a distribution agreement with Cosmic Concord, the functional ingredient business unit of 3C Group, to bring the proprietary prebiotic ingredient, Bimuno GOS, to the health market in Thailand.

The ingredient supports gastrointestinal, digestive, immune and cognitive health benefits, with 20 clinical trials supporting its safety and efficacy.

“Thailand has a vibrant and diverse health consumer market, of which Thais are increasingly prioritizing their health. Like many markets around the globe, it is getting ever more switched on to matters of managing health and the associated benefits linked to gastrointestinal, immune and cognitive health,” David Mharakurwa, sales director APAC and MEA at Clasado Biosciences, tells Nutrition Insight.

“There is a rapidly growing demand for solutions in the category, and prebiotics are well positioned to meet this need.”

The strategic partnership grants Cosmic Concord exclusive distribution rights for Bimuno GOS and its D2C product, Bimuno Original, in the Thai market. The move will expand the ingredient’s presence in the rapidly emerging APAC health and nutrition sector.  

Next frontier of market growth
While the European and North American markets for prebiotics have shown significant potential for growth, the APAC region has been activated as its consumers latch on to the gut health phenomenon to support health and well-being.

3C Group has completed the product registration of Bimuno GOS in Thailand for its powder and syrup formats, with Bimuno Original to follow suit shortly. 

“A further benefit for formulators is that Thailand benefits from a clear regulatory framework, which encourages new product innovation in the nutraceutical space. We’re happy to share that Bimuno GOS has recently been registered for use as a prebiotic food ingredient by Thailand’s FDA,” says Mharakurwa.

Bimuno GOS selectively nourishes beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, which support overall health and well-being. Additionally, its effectiveness is at a low dosage of just 1.37 g daily and can be used in various product applications.Bimuno GOS has strong potential for sports nutrition formulations. 

“Not only does this (lower dosage efficacy) help formulators by reducing the quantity required in product recipes, but it expands the potential range of products that Bimuno GOS can be featured in, offering consumers more choice,” says Mharakurwa.

In 2022, Clasado Biosciences extended its distribution agreement with CTC Group to solidify its position in the APAC area. With extensions now including Indonesia and Vietnam, the current agreement places CTC Group as the primary distributor of its Bimuno GOS prebiotic ingredient in the Philippines.

Meeting demand for prebiotics
Clasado Biosciences and 3C Group believe the partnership will generate interest in science-backed prebiotics in Thailand, and cater to the growing demand for advanced gastrointestinal, immune and cognitive health solutions in the wider APAC region.

“These include its support on gastrointestinal and digestive health, including many commonly reported symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), such as bloating, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea, as well as supporting areas of immune health and cognitive health,” explains Mharakurwa.

Studies show strong potential in sports nutrition product formulations due to the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms that can be experienced.

“This collaboration will allow us to showcase the remarkable scientific foundation that distinguishes Bimuno GOS from its competitors and highlight its potential in supporting gut health in Thailand,” concludes Mharakurwa.

The companies aim to provide nutraceutical businesses in the region with scientifically supported prebiotic ingredients and access to quality prebiotic product development.

The 3C team will attend FI Asia in Thailand in Bangkok between 20-22 September. 

By Inga de Jong