The awards are open for all companies active in Asia-Pacific, be it ingredient suppliers to finished product manufacturers and brand owners.
Don’t miss out your chance to shine at this year’s awards, submit your entry here.
With the microbiome industry brimming with new research and new product development, there are two award categories dedicated to the microbiome segment this year.
They are 1) Ingredient of the Year: Microbiome Modulator and 2) Product of the Year: Microbiome Modulator.
It is not just the gut microbiome space that our judging panel is interested in.
As the connection between the gut and other parts of the body becomes more scientifically established, this means that the category is also open to entries covering areas such as the gut-brain, the gut-skin, the gut-oral, the gut-liver axis and more.
For the Ingredient of the Year: Microbiome Modulator category, our judges will based their judging criteria based on four key criteria.
They are first and foremost a genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor.
Second, the submission entry has to demonstrate solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem. This includes peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made.
Third, the panel is interested in the commercial success and engagement from the ingredient’s core target market(s), backed up by sales figures and examples of how the ingredient is applied to different products.
Fourth, let us know what gives your ingredient the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition.
Find out more about the key information that our judges are looking out for here.
Our winner for Ingredient of the Year: Microbiome Modulator last year was Atogen Co with its Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HAC01.
The strain, isolated from Korean fermented food, is targeted at addressing metabolic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity-related dysbiosis.
Clinical trials and diabetic animal models have shown that it could reduce two-hour postprandial blood glucose levels and glycated haemoglobin HbA1c.
At the point of submission, the ingredient is the first and only anti-diabetic probiotic ingredient approved by the Korean FDA.
“Our judges were impressed by the extensive evidence of commercial success in Korea, coupled with regulatory achievements on the back of sound and solid science,” said the judging panel.
The ingredient was up against two other finalists, namely BioGrowing Co Ltd’s Flora-Focus Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp-G18 and Anagenix’s Livaux.
In terms of Product of the Year: Microbiome Modulator, the key judging criteria are largely similar as the ingredient category.
However, there are additional areas where our judges are particularly interested in.
They include the level of brand recognition and commercial success of the product, including evidence of strong retail and consumer interest or listings of the product.
Another area is the packaging ease of use and design, including appeal, ease of use, and level of novelty.
Evidence of the product’s bioavailability, such as the types of delivery system(s) used, would also be of interest to our judges.
The winner for Product of the Year: Microbiome Modulator last year was Tribiotic Gut Shield.
This is a hard capsule product from Australian firm Theronomic containing pre-, pro-, and postbiotic for supporting gastrointestinal and immune health.
The formulation consists of Anagenix’s Livaux gold kiwifruit powder as the prebiotic, a probiotic and postbiotic blend.
According to the company, the formulation is designed to promote a balanced microbiome for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.
“The judging panel were impressed by this synergistic formula of pro-, pre-, and postbiotics packed with scientifically validated ingredients, along with its broad-spectrum consumer appeal,” said the judging panel.
The other two finalists were 1) GLPit Diet by South Korea’s Chong Kun Dang Healthcare designed to promote GLP-1 secretion and 2) Life-Space Probiotics+ Cholesterol Support by Life-Space Group.
Find out more about the key information that our judges are looking out for here.
Entry submissions close on June 16 and the winners will be announced at our awards ceremony to be held in Bangkok in September.
