Small Business Matters

The combination of Clasado's Bimuno GOS prebiotic and Probi's Defendum probiotic has been shown to significantly increase lactate levels and increase short chain fatty acid butyrate by 26% - “two important gut health promoting components that are also associated with supporting immune health,” Clasado said.

UK switch specialist Maxwellia delivers two “me too” reclassifications in the area of women's health: Evana Heavy Period Relief and Ultravana Period Pain Relief. 

Futura recorded its first notable revenues last year, generated by the launch of its Eroxon erectile dysfunction gel in the UK and Europe, marking the company's transition from an R&D startup to a consumer healthcare player in its own right. To mark the occasion, CEO James Barder outlines a new strategy, with a focus on innovation in sexual wellness, further global partnerships and sustained profitability. 

In this episode, HBW Insight dives into personalized wellness with Marni Allen, chief marketing officer at tailored supplements manufacturer Bioniq. Named as one of EY UK's 50 Women to Watch in 2022, Allen has over 20 years’ experience in consumer healthcare, and is now working with Bioniq to create the next generation of bespoke wellness products for consumers across the world. As well as its top tier at-home blood test-based service, Bioniq also offers an affordable questionnaire-based option, which leverages the power of AI to analyse users’ nutritional needs and provide unique supplement formulations in the post. Although personalized wellness is still somewhat niche, Allen suggests that AI-based models like Bioniq offer an attractive option for traditional consumer health companies looking to get into this fast-growing market.

Exclusion from procurement processes, confiscation of revenues, and a fine of at least 4% of annual turnover are some of the penalties the European Parliament is considering for greenwashing as part of its position on the EU Green Claims Directive. 

Thousands of UK families will be supported with oral spray vitamins among other things thanks to an ongoing partnership between UK supplements manufacturer BetterYou and UK charity Baby Basics. 

UK sexual health specialist Maxwellia continues to expand its UK footprint with an STI home-test launch under the Lovi brand umbrella. 

A recent ASA ruling against UK firm Supreme CBD highlights the need to be transparent about influencer marketing, as well as to avoid making any medicinal claims for food supplements. 

Botanical extracts power new products from P&G Health and Théa Pharmaceuticals in the areas of pain and eye-care respectively, while TheOTCLab and Stada relaunch much-loved foot care and cold brands in this German OTC marketing update. 

HBW Insight continues its conversation with The Exponential Club’s Nick Tate. In this episode, we discuss what the future of consumer health might actually look like, covering a lot of ground from nudge-based health insurance platforms to digital products that may supplement or even replace traditional drugs. We also talk about the promise and limitations of at-home testing for furthering personalization, and how to navigate partnerships with tech-specialists large and small to help accelerate digital transformation plans.

Individuals using Clasado Biosciences' Bimuno GOS prebiotic for gastrointestinal problems, chronic pain and sleep reported a “marked self-reported improvement in quality of life,” according to a recently-published real-world evidence study. 

Dexcel Pharma has acquired eight OTC brands from Teva, including Bisodol Indigestion Relief Tablets, erectile dysfunction treatment Liberize and Yeast Vite supplements. Teva told HBW Insight it remains committed to the consumer health market despite a number of recent brand divestments.

Futura Medical has extended its licensing agreement with Cooper Consumer Health for the rights to market its Eroxon topical, gel-based erectile dysfunction treatment throughout the European Economic Area, United Kingdom and Switzerland until 2029. 

Manufacturing best-selling items like Kool 'n' Soothe cooling sheet, Cura-Heat heat pack and Hothands hand warmer brands in its own facilities means Kobayashi Healthcare Europe can offer “great quality products without breaking the bank,” explains marketing and regulatory manager Richard Noal.

Two microbiome products added to Bayer's Iberogast line, a new drug-free pain-relieving ThermaCare knee brace from Angelini Pharma and an ashwagandha-powered sleep aid extension to Oyono from Klosterfrau feature in this German marketing update. 

Drug-free erectile dysfunction “stimgel” creator Futura wants to see if the technology underpinning Eroxon can be applied to female sexual dysfunction. Breaking into China is also high up on the agenda for the UK-based R&D company's CEO James Barder, he reveals in this exclusive interview.