NutraIngredients-USA announced yesterday that Kyowa Hakko USA’s IMMUSE postbiotic for immune health is the inaugural winner of the Ingredient of the Year: Microbiome Modulation category of its annual awards.
IMMUSE is a clinically researched Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) that uniquely activates the immune system and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to support healthy days. Thirty published studies, including 15 human trials, support IMMUSE’s novel mechanism of action.
“In a very competitive category with lots of established ingredients, Kyowa’s IMMUSE Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma stood out as an interesting postbiotic product with a novel approach to supporting immune health,” said Stephen Daniells, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of NutraIngredients-USA. “The ingredient is backed by good science, including a clinical trial with school children. Despite only being on the US market for two years, IMMUSE Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma is already used in numerous consumer products.”
The pDC, a rare type of immune cell, functions as a key leader of the immune system and has been shown to activate other cells pivotal to immune support such as NK, Killer-T, Helper-T, and B cells for a more comprehensive approach to immune support.
“We are so honoured that NutraIngredients-USA values the rigorous clinical testing we’ve conducted to ensure IMMUSE’s efficacy,” said Karen Todd, MBA, RD, Vice President of Global Brand Marketing, Kyowa Hakko USA. “This is yet another testament to how critical it is that branded ingredients are clinically researched – that’s how we can prove that these products do what they say they do and earn consumers’ trust.”
Kyowa Hakko’s parent company, Kirin Holdings discovered IMMUSE’s unique mechanism of action.
Due to its stable nature, long shelf life, and flexible formulation, IMMUSE can be used in a variety of applications, from powders and capsules to functional beverages. To learn more about IMMUSE or inquire about using it in a future formulation, visit Kyowa Hakko July 17-19 at IFT FIRST in booth S0233 or on its website.