Brand New: Merck India, Genesis Healthcare and Jamieson Wellness covered in our latest round of brand stories
'Fusion superdrink': UK brand targeting APAC millennial market with locally inspired functional beverage
UK beverage brand DRGN (pronounced 'dragon') has set its sights on APAC with its new functional soft drink, which combines ingredients originating from and popular in Asia to target consumers in the region.
Dubbed the "world's first superdrink", DRGN contains a blend of Asian 'superfoods', such as turmeric and ginger, alongside vitamins, electrolytes, and an amino acid meant to fight fatigue and encourage hydration.
According to the brand, the drink also boasts antioxidant properties, and helps to support healthy liver function. The vegan-friendly, citrus-flavoured beverage comes in 250ml cans, each serving containing a mere 80 calories and no caffeine, or artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners.
Canadian vitamin maker Jamieson furthers APAC expansion with Indian pharmacy partnership
Canadian vitamin and supplement manufacturer Jamieson Wellness is moving ahead with its expansion plans for Asia, most recently signing a five-year partnership agreement with Indian pharmacy chain MedPlus.
Under the agreement, selected Jamieson-branded products will be distributed in India, with the potential for more products to be added in future. The second-largest pharmacy chain in India, MedPlus has 1,500 locations throughout the country, with plans to open another 3,500 retail outlets by 2023.
Jamieson is the first and only international supplement brand in MedPlus' portfolio so far. The first shipment was released in September and has just been made available in retail stores.
From B2C to B2B: Japanese genetic testing giant appeals to industry to find solutions for rare diseases
Japanese genetic testing giant Genesis Healthcare is hoping to offer solutions for patients with rare diseases by broadening its business model to include B2B services.
The Tokyo-based firm — also known as GeneLife in Japan — has so far dominated the country's growing consumer genetic testing sector with its range of DNA home testing kits, but now wants to work with other businesses, including personalised nutrition firms, to help develop condition-specific solutions.
As such, Genesis has launched the Genesis Asia 1,000 Project, which aims to profile the whole genomes of 1,000 patients with rare diseases in Asia.
Merck India publishes first vitamin E handbook to aid healthcare professionals and raise public awareness
Merck Consumer Health India has published India's first handbook on vitamin E, edited by leading healthcare practitioners and experts, Dr YK Gupta and Dr AC Anand.
The former is principle project advisor at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute's biotechnology department, and the latter senior consultant (hepatology and gastroenterology) and transplant hepatologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.
The book, simply titled Vitamin E, contains detailed information about the multiple applications of vitamin E as a supplement, with contributions from a panel of 13 specialists and other industry experts to support these claims.
Indian nutraceutical brand OneLife targeting South East Asia with condition-specific approach
Indian nutraceutical brand OneLife is eyeing expansion in South East Asia with a three-pronged approach to its business: focusing on providing condition-specific supplementation, catering to all life stages, and educating consumers.
Founded in 2017 by Gaurav Aggarwal as a subsidiary of pharmaceutical manufacturing firm Lasons India, the brand’s initial concept was based on general nutrition and wellness, but has since evolved to focus on condition-specific supplementation.
Aggarwal, who is also the director of Lasons India, has been in the business for the past 20 years, with Lasons exporting to over 90 countries and supplying to major brands in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and feed industries.
