Sunway Biotech merges with Bora to manufacture red yeast alternative Ankascin 568-R

22 Sep 2023 --- UK-based Bora Group is merging with Sunway Biotech, a Taiwanese health food research and development center, to produce Ankascin 568-R, the only red yeast ingredient on the US market without the controversial ingredient monacolin K (Lovastatin).

Red yeast rice is said to support blood glucose management, cardiovascular health, memory, cognitive health and healthy aging.

Ankascin 568-R is the only red yeast rice available on the US market that does not contain monacolin K, also known as Lovastatin, an ingredient identified as problematic by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), red yeast rice products that have enhanced or added monacolin K, or any ingredient with the same structure, cannot be considered supplements in the US. 

Bobby Sheng, CEO of Bora Group, said, “As we continue to grow our service range as a CDMO, we are excited to be entering the supplements market. With Sunway’s fermentation know-how, not only will we have a unique patented ingredient in Ankascin 568-R, but we will also be able to create products for the growing prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic market.”

Unique red yeast rice product
Ankascin 568-R is manufactured through extraction from the fermented products of the patented functional red yeast strain Monascus purpureus NTU 568. This patented strain is the key factor that ensures Ankascin 568-R does not contain monacolin K, making it a unique product on the US supplement market.

Ankascin 568-R supports blood glucose management, cardiovascular health, memory, cognitive health and healthy aging.Specifically, Ankascin 568-R is utilized in the manufacturing of dietary supplements and fortified foods for customers worldwide.

Red yeast rice products have been shown to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. 

In addition to its positive effects on cardiovascular health, Bora has further highlighted that Ankascin 568-R can improve memory and cognitive health and promote healthy aging.

Brand merge 
Bora Group has identified its merger with Sunway Biotech as breaking news for the global Nutraceuticals industry.

“We’re thrilled to now have the controlling interest in Sunway Biotech, giving us access to technology that manufactures Ankascin 568-R and Vigiis101-LAB,” Sheng states.

“Simon Chang will act as vice chairman of Sunway, and CEO John Pan will continue to lead operations for Sunway Biotech. As one of Bora’s more senior leaders, it’s great to have Simon lead us into this buoyant market,” he continued. 

Bora Group is an outsourcing partner to some of the largest pharmaceutical companies. The company offers industry experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare and nutraceutical products across the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, from research and development to sales and distribution.

Sunway Biotech was established in 2007 as “a center of excellence for the research and development of health food and ingredients.”

The organization was awarded the GOLD award at Taiwan’s BIO awards in 2022, and the Ankascin 568-R has been shortlisted in the Botanical category at the Nutraingredient USA Awards 2023. 

Edited by Milana Nikolova