NIU’s Global Round-up: Plugging in to Brazil's demand for supplements, AlgaTech’s new ingredient for eyes and brains, and more
LATAM
Brazilian startup MyPharma2Go grows its healthcare ecommerce empire
MyPharma2Go started as an online portal for healthcare practitioners to bring in US supplements and OTC products to patients in Brazil. Thanks to Brazil’s shifting regulatory landscape, the start-up recently launched a direct-to-consumer portal.
The company’s new direct-to-consumer online supplements shop is called MundiHealth, and it will carry products that are no longer required to be registered in Brazil to be imported without a prescription, MyPharma2Go co-founder and CEO André Di Donato told NutraIngredients-LATAM.
“Whey, BCAA, creatine and other supplements in the sports arena can be imported directly by the consumer but still under some customs rules, such as amount of bottles configured for personal use and value under US$ 3,000,” he said.
Beyond its own online stores, the company recently forayed into the transaction segment with a platform called EasyMundi. It is an entirely separate endeavor within the business but is closely linked to MyPharma2Go’s strategy to become an ecommerce empire in the healthcare space.
MyPharma2Go has developed a plug-in for EasyMundi, which will allow international OTC and supplement brands to provide Brazilian buyers the option to pay using Brazil’s national payment methods—like how some companies outside of China now support payment using WeChat to allow easier commerce with Chinese shoppers.
“EasyMundi will attend not only to the health market, but will be a plug-in to allow any e-commerce in the world to easily ship to Brazil,” Di Donato said.
Europe
Algatech launches new astaxanthin powder for vision and brain health applications
Israeli algae player Algatechnologies launched a micro-encapsulated natural astaxanthin powder formulated for vision and brain health at Vitafoods.
The new AstaPure-EyeQ ingredient, described as a proprietary microencapsulation form of natural astaxanthin, was developed in conjunction with the Italian startup Sphera Encapsulation.
Data from preclinical and clinical trials reportedly support the higher bioavailability of the ingredient compared to standard astaxanthin supplements, and to cross both the blood-brain and the blood-retina-barriers, making it more readily available to the brain and eyes.
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Asia
Sports and personalization in India
Swiss sports nutrition brand Fast&Up is ramping up its personalization offerings in India, focusing on younger consumers who are largely driving the sector.
CEO Vijayaraghavan Venugopal told NutraIngredients-Asia that the company has experienced four-fold increases in annual turnover and expanded to 550 retail stores since entering India three years ago.
CMO Varun Khanna added that the company’s initial approach was to target nutrition for runners, but they have since expanded to engage people engaged in other activities and sports.
“We started catering to those playing cricket, and soon enough, other sports,” said Khanna. “Eventually, we targeted those who work out regularly at the gym, or attend classes like zumba and yoga. Regardless of the level of activity, we want to have something for everyone.”
The company is also offering personalized nutrition by engaging healthcare professionals, dietitians and nutritionists at the retail stores that carry its products, so customers can receive professional advice and recommendations based on their needs and preferences.
“This is something that's really high up on our list. It could be implemented as soon as the next three to six months, or at least, within the next year,” said Khanna, adding that this would be the best way to ensure a high degree of personalisation on an individual level.
