The company announced on April 9 that it has been selected for the “Small and Medium Business Technology Innovation Development Project” organised by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
The project is a government-funded programme to promote the growth of SMEs with high technological potential and strengthen their competitiveness.
Through this initiative, research institute Idleplus Co Ltd, specialised probiotic firm DCNBio, and health functional food company NeoNutra are collaborating to “secure scientific evidence” for the hangover relief effect of a functional ingredient.
Specifically, the ingredient is a compound comprising fermented extracts of Hwangchil (Dendropanax morbifera) and Dangyuja, which Idleplus has obtained a patent for its liver protection or improvement function.
Hwangchil is a plant native to the Korean peninsula that is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and neuroprotective effects due to its rich polyphenol content.
On the other hand, Dangyuja is a variety of pomelo that is a specialty of Jeju Island. It is said to be the most antioxidant-rich citrus fruit, containing four times as much vitamin C as a lemon. It also contains flavonoids such as neohesperidin and naringin, which have been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties.
According to Dongsung Bio Pharm, it has proven the hangover relief effect of the compound via animal testing. In this joint research, NeoNutra will be conducting human application tests for functional certification and DCNBio will participate in the co-development of a new hangover cure.
The research will be carried out till September 2025, with a total of KRW570m (approximately USD387,000) being invested.
Dongsung Bio Pharm recently passed clinical trials to verify the hangover relief functionality of its Haetgae Haechwi Good Morning product, which has been launched in local pharmacies and is exported to South East Asian (SEA) markets.
“After completing human application tests of the material made using locally sourced Hwangchil and Dangyuja, we plan to develop and launch new hangover relief and health functional food products,” the firm said.
Beyond nutraceuticals
Apart from its nutraceutical business, Dongsung Bio Pharm is actively bolstering the growth of its brands in other categories, including beauty, both in Korea and overseas.
For instance, the company has signed a distribution contract with Indonesian chain retailer OH!SOME for its self-hair colouring brand eZn.
As of 2024, OH!SOME, which mainly targets young consumers, has over 90 stores in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
The partnership will make eZn’s products available at OH!SOME’s physical stores and online platforms in these SEA markets.
Additionally, eZn is in the process of obtaining certification from BPOM (National Agency of Drug and Food Control) in Indonesia, to facilitate its entry into the market and appeal to local consumers as a trustworthy brand.
“We plan to increase brand awareness and expand distribution channels by strengthening marketing strategies optimised for the Indonesian market.
“OH!SOME is a major platform that introduces trendy products to Indonesia and other SEA markets. We hope that eZn, as a brand that offers a wide range of hair colouring products, will be able to capture the hearts of Indonesian MZ consumers.”
