DUBLIN, Ireland – Kerry has announced that it has agreed a strategic licensing partnership with Pharma Foods International Co. Ltd. (PFI) for the development, application and global sales of a joint health ingredient technology for functional foods and beverages and dietary supplements.
Pharma Foods International, based in Kyoto, Japan, is a pioneer and leader in innovative ingredients developed from natural food origins for application into functional products, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
The partnership and licensing agreement provides Kerry access to the joint health technology developed by PFI through more than a decade of research. The ingredient promotes the natural production of hyaluronic acid, keeping joints lubricated and mobile and ultimately helping to reduce discomfort and stiffness in knee joints and providing benefit to people with osteoarthritis. As it is a water-soluble ingredient that has no impact to taste in formulation, it creates opportunities for functional food and beverage applications as well as dietary supplements. The ingredient has already been formulated into several products in the Japanese market and Kerry will be developing a brand positioning for the technology, supporting application and development and supplying the ingredient to customers across the world.
John Quilter, Vice President & General Manager for Kerry’s ProActive Health business said: “Our proprietary consumer research has revealed that consumers want healthy lifestyle products that also have a positive impact on bone and joint health. Today’s consumers are more informed about the ingredients in their functional products – with 56% reporting that they regularly research ingredients that can help improve health. We are delighted to partner with PFI, a leader in functional ingredient innovation, on this new joint health technology which will complement our portfolio of science-backed branded ingredients, including GanedenBC30® probiotic, Wellmune® yeast beta glucan, and our most recent addition, Bio-K Plus® probiotics.”
Chief Executive Officer of Pharma Foods International, Dr Mujo Kim stated: “We are very pleased and excited to be working with Kerry. PFI has been researching and developing original unique materials for the global market and now that we have established a cooperative relationship with Kerry, we will be able to accelerate our global expansion. We expect strong synergies between PFI’s research capabilities and Kerry’s global commercial network.”
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About Pharma Foods International (PFI)
Pharma Foods International (PFI) is a biotech company founded in 1997 and headquartered in Kyoto. PFI works in the areas of research, development and marketing of functional food ingredients, healthcare products, and biopharmaceutical drugs. The company is focusing on biomedical discovery of antibody & peptide drugs and diagnostics, based on PFI’s proprietary “Avian Lead Antibody Gene” (ALAgene®) technology. PFI will strive to contribute to the patients’ health around the world through creation of innovative biological drugs to treat intractable diseases such as autoimmune diseases, malignant cancers, and bone-joint diseases. For more information, visit https://www.pharmafoods.co.jp/en/.
About Kerry Group
Kerry, the world’s leading taste and nutrition company, offers solutions that nourish lives all over the world. From humble beginnings as an Irish dairy co-operative, Kerry has grown into a large international food industry leader, with offices in 32 countries, 149 manufacturing facilities and more than 26,000 employees globally, including over 1,000 food scientists. We bring to the table our strong food heritage, coupled with over 40 years of experience, global insights and market knowledge, culinary and applications expertise, as well as a range of unique solutions that anticipate and address our customers’ needs. For more information, visit Kerry.com.
