Biothera’s Wellmune WGP given green light by Korean regulators

The manufacturer of Wellmune WGP, a natural immune booster for foods, beverages and supplements, will begin distribution in South Korea through following approval by the country’s regulators for the functional ingredient.

US-based Biothera received an immune health claim and earned a Certificate of Functional Ingredient for Health/Functional Food for Wellmune from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, meaning that the ingredient has met all standards for safety and efficacy during an almost two-year approval process.

Naturalendo, which has been named the sole Wellmune distributor, claims wide experience in commercially supporting functional foods in Asia and the Americas.

Wellmune is a beta 1,3/1,6 glucan derived from a proprietary strain of baker’s yeast. Nine human clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of Wellmune to safely boost key immune cells that keep the body healthy.

“The clinical evidence behind Wellmune will enable us to make a compelling case for including this… ingredient in a wide range of food, beverage and supplement products,” said Naturalendo’s R&D chief, KT Yi.

“Achieving regulatory approval in Korea was a milestone for the Wellmune brand,” said Richard G Mueller, chief executive of Biothera, adding that the company is keen to bring more of its food, beverage and supplement products to Korea.