Weekly Roundup: BioGaia authorizes sale of Protectis in Egypt, Probi reports growth despite COVID-19 headwinds

09 Apr 2021 --- In nutrition news this week, BioGaia gave Minapharm Pharmaceuticals exclusive rights to sell its Protectis drops in Egypt. Probi showed double-digit growth in its 2020 annual financial report. Meanwhile, 97 UK organizations and experts signed a letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging action against junk food adverts. 

In brief: Business news
BioGaia signed an agreement with Minapharm Pharmaceuticals, an Egyptian medicine and protein manufacturer, for the exclusive rights to sell BioGaia Protectis drops in Egypt. The drops – a dietary supplement containing Lactobacillus reuteri – will be rolled out in Q4 2021 under the BioGaia brand. 

Probi released its 2020 financial annual report, showing an organic growth rate of 15 percent. While this fell short of the company’s target, CEO Tom Rönnlund says upgraded production will help boost 2021 results. Net sales of SEK717 million (US$83.7 million) and an operating profit of SEK124 million (US$14.4 million) were recorded. Challenges raised by COVID-19 affected APAC and EMEA sales, but an increase in health-enhancing products was seen in the US. Rönnlund emphasizes the importance of Probi’s acquisitions, collaborations and increased investment in innovations and developments. 

Smarty Pants’ new Multi Capsules line.In brief: Launches and releases
Sandland Sleep launched a non-pharmaceutical line of sleep-aid products containing cannabinoids (CBN). The collection consists of two holistic products: “Fall Asleep” sublingual, a formulation that works in 15 minutes, and “Stay Asleep” tablets that work for a full eight hours to sustain sleep through the night, “without the morning fog.” The products can also be taken together.

SmartyPants Vitamins launched a new Multi Capsule line including Women’s, Men’s, Prenatal, Women’s 50+ and Men’s 50+ formulas, each containing over 20 premium nutrients. In addition, a SmartyPants Fruit & Vegetable Blend was launched to support brain, heart, bone, eye and immune health. All capsules include plant-based omega 3 DHA from algal oil for brain health, vitamins C, B6 and zinc for supporting a healthy immune system, vitamin D3 for bones, biotin for healthy hair, skin and nails, vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin for energy, vitamin A for eye health, folate for heart health, and the antioxidant vitamin E.

Bausch Health Companies launched its novel daily over-the-counter probiotic supplement, Envive, in the US. It has been shown to help reduce the severity and frequency of five occasional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. These are diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating and discomfort – and help strengthen and protect the digestive system by strengthening the gut barrier. Envive is proven to help relieve these occasional GI symptoms in as little as two weeks.

In brief: Regulations and approvals 
Sustain and the Children’s Food Campaign joined 97 other UK health and children’s organizations, academic experts and individual campaigners in a letter to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, encouraging him to move ahead with landmark plans to remove junk food adverts from online platforms and social media. The letter, which the Obesity Health Alliance coordinated, says that abandoning plans to ban online adverts for junk food will “significantly undermine” Johnson’s previous promise to fight obesity.

First Day Life informed the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs that it has permanently discontinued all of the advertising claims for the company’s Daily EnrichmentTom Rönnlund, CEO of Probi.Multivitamin challenged by the Council of Responsible Nutrition (CRN). The discontinued ads mainly centered around claims that vitamins can improve children’s concentration, improve focus and end behavioral problems. CRN also challenged several consumer testimonials relaying parents’ experiences with the vitamins and describing how the product stopped their children’s tantrums and hyperactivity.

Valensa International announced that for a third consecutive year, the company’s USPlus Pure Lipidosterolic Extract of Saw Palmetto is the only saw palmetto extract to be verified under the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Ingredient Verification Program for Dietary Ingredients (IVP-DI). The certification is awarded for product and process quality, potency, and purity as recommended by independent scientific experts at USP. Valensa’s Saw Palmetto’s power lies in the full spectrum of a pure lipidosterolic extract with a specific ratio of 85-90 percent total fatty acids and other phytonutrients as per USP. 

In brief: Research and studies
OmniActive Health Technologies announced the outcomes of a study on Capsimax, showing significant post-consumption increases in resting energy expenditure (REE). Capsimax is an encapsulated, concentrated extract of capsaicinoids from red chili peppers (Capsicum annum). Capsimax had already been demonstrated to increase individuals’ metabolic rate during fed conditions, while this new study measured the benefits of participants during fasting conditions.

In brief: Appointments and partnerships
Personalized vitamin company Vous Vitamin announced Lynda Sun Lee, the former worldwide business development director with Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, to its board of advisors. She previously managed global strategic acquisitions and in-licensing opportunities with a focus on nutritional supplements. Lee’s addition comes as Vous Vitamin is poised for strong growth, with revenues tripling in 2020. 

NOW announced a partnership with seven nationally recognized experts “across the wellness spectrum” including authors Maya Feller and Dr. Will Cole. For example, Feller promotes healthy spring diets, encouraging meals with superfood boosts, like green powders, beetroot powder or omega-rich seeds. Each expert will be loading monthly content with diet recommendations, recipes and wellness tips onto NOW’s social media platforms and website.

By Louis Gore-Langton