Double win: NutraIngredients-Asia prebiotics winner Anagenix’s latest clinical results show bowel regularity benefits

Anagenix took home the prebiotic Ingredient of the Year during last week’s NutraIngredients-Asia award ceremony. Its kiwifruit pectin-based prebiotic trademarked Livaux was competing against Bimuno from Clasado Biosciences and Prebilac from BASF Human Nutrition.

Earlier in July, it was also crowned the winner for the same category in NutraIngredients-USA awards.

“We were hoping very much to win the award as we have won one in the US a month prior, we thought we already have a good chance, but the competition is strong and so we never take for granted that we will win,”​ MD Chris Johnson told NutraIngredients-Asia. ​

The ingredient has shown to support the growth of F. prau​​ throughout the colon, producing butyrate for digestive health, such as alleviating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), general gut repair, as well as balancing the gut microbiome.

Launched only 18 months ago, the ingredient has been incorporated into end products that are sold in a number of countries, including New Zealand, US, China, Taiwan, and Singapore.

He added the two substantial orders – one from China and one from Australia were received within two days after the award winners were announced.

In the upcoming months, the company will focus on building the science around the ingredient.

Just last week, it received results on how the prebiotic could contribute to bowel regularity from a human clinical trial conducted in the US.

This is also the second clinical trial conducted on the ingredient and the key objectives are to 1) test for improvements to stool form, 2) test for improvements to bowel movement and quality of life, and 3) test for gut microbiome improvement.

The results showed that the ingredient had significantly improved stool form, laxation frequency and increased bowel movements by approximately 160% over baseline. 

The samples have been sent to UCLA microbiology lab for faecal microbiome analysis and results showing gut microbiome improvements are expected early next year.

Anagenix is also presenting at a webinar titled “Lung Health Opportunity: How New Zealand innovation can meet growing consumer needs amid COVID-19” on Sep 29.

It will shine the spotlight on its lung health ingredient BerriQi, in response to increased consumers’ attention on this category amid COVID-19.

New facility investment ​

Anagenix also purchased a nutritional product manufacturing facility from fellow New Zealand firm Vitaco in a seven-figure deal.

Johnson said this would allow the company to triple its fruit drying and ingredient processing capacity in the next two to three years.

Watch the video to find out more.