Kerry partners with Pharma Foods International for development of joint health technology

15-Feb-2021 - Last updated on 15-Feb-2021 at 14:45 GMT

Ireland’s Kerry has agreed a strategic licensing partnership with Japan’s Pharma Foods International Co. Ltd. for the development, application and global sales of a joint health ingredient technology for functional foods and dietary supplements.

The agreement expands Kerry’s health portfolio that already includes the GanedenBC30 probiotic, Wellmune yeast beta glucan, and Bio-K Plus probiotics.

The partnership and licensing agreement gives Kerry access to the joint health technology developed over more than a decade of research by the Kyoto-based company.

According to a press release from Kerry, 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.

The water-soluble ingredient does not impact taste in formulation, added the company, and therefore offers opportunities for functional food and beverage applications as well as dietary supplements.

The ingredient has reportedly 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.

“Our proprietary consumer research has revealed that consumers want healthy lifestyle products that also have a positive impact on bone and joint health,” said John Quilter, VP & GM for Kerry’s ProActive Health business. “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.”

Pharma Foods International CEO, Dr Mujo Kim added: “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.”