Whey-based, trademarked bioactive proteins the right ingredient for Taichong biotech firm.
Taiwanese consumers keen to improve their gut health and wellbeing have provided a New Zealand company, with its special milk-based protein derivatives, an invaluable pathway into the Asian health sector.
Hamilton-based company Quantec has patented a whey protein complex from cow’s milk that contains multiple bioactive proteins, proven to improve levels of efficacy in influenza vaccinations.
Taiwan-based biotechnology company Greenyn Biotechnologies picked up on Quantec’s trademarked immune defence proteins IDP for a gut health application.
The IDP adds to its array of patented ingredients marketed under its own label and also sold to client companies for formulations.
These include Insumate, a phyto-peptide sourced from melons that helps control blood sugar levels. A fungus-based ingredient improves liver health and immune system function.
First listed on the Taiwanese stock exchange in 2023, Greenyn has earned multiple industry awards including being named most outstanding biotech company in Taiwan and winner of a national innovation award.
Taiwan’s biotech sector is experiencing significant growth in areas including biopharmaceuticals and precision medicine, with a big focus on contract development and manufacturing, an area Greenyn is active in.
The company’s project section manager, Kara Chang, said Taiwan is now a “super age” society (20% population 65 or older) and key issues exist in this demographic over gut, bone joint and immunity health.
These are coupled with lack of exercise and an unbalanced diet. The diabetes rate in the adult population has increased by 15% since 2005.
The prevalence of rice in the national diet, and the popularity of high sugar drinks like bubble tea, has pushed up diabetic rates.
“People are looking for supplements and ingredients that are natural but are also backed up by strong clinical evidence,” Chang said.
“Functional foods” – those fortified with additional health-giving ingredients – have become more popular, particularly in the post-covid environment that has heightened awareness of immune system health.
“We first saw Quantec’s IDP and the scientific evidence about its effect on the immune system three years ago.”
Greenyn promotes IDP to clients and helps produce different formulations including pills, capsules and sachet products.
Quantec CEO John Dawson said gut health is one area IDP is demonstrated to have a positive benefit.
“It goes back to the high value nutrition science challenge in 2019, and IDP was selected to be part of that NZ government-supported research initiative.”
Work by AgResearch identified its role in supporting gut health and potential application in functional foods.
Chang said Greenyn is also interested in exploring the use of IDP as a skincare ingredient for the beauty sector.
The Asian skincare segment was valued at US$90 billion last year, with an annual growth rate of 3.45%. While South Korea leads in development, the Taiwanese sector is experiencing almost 5% annual growth.
Dawson said skincare was the first commercial application of IDP, in the Epiology Skincare brand.
“The anti-inflammatory activity of IDP has been proven very effective in the skincare area. It is particularly effective in helping reduce redness and irritation that comes from acne or post- facial beauty treatment and has become an adjunct to the post-treatment recovery process.”
Chang said she sees a positive future for IDP in Greenyn’s ingredient portfolio.
“Everyone wants to take a supplement as a preventative, rather than a pill to fix.”
• Rennie visited Taiwan as part of the Farmers Weekly Meeting the Market project, with funding from the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono.
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