As the year draws to a close, Unigen would like to thank our amazing clients and partners for being part of our 2024 story! We commemorate a busy year of sales, research and promotional opportunities. Below is a recap of Unigen in the News highlighting our company’s research and sales activities, collaborations and notable certifications for Unigen Beauty and Unigen Pet.
Maizinol®: Significant Results Announced Assessing Sleep Parameters Measured by Actigraphy & EEG Device
Unigen announced its clinical trial results for Maizinol® supplementation on key parameters of sleep. The study was conducted by KGK Science Inc. (“KGK”), London, Canada, in a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design clinical trial (RCT). The study enrolled healthy participants with difficulties in falling asleep or staying asleep. The study yielded statistically-significant results on sleep quality including reduction in sleep latency, reduction in the number of nighttime awakenings, reduction in awake duration after sleep onset, improvements in sleep efficiency, increases in REM and NREM sleep, increases in total sleep time, and optimization of sleep structure without inducing a change in circadian rhythm. KGK is submitting this gold standard RCT for peer-reviewed publication.
“This study is a critical step toward providing consumers with a scientifically-based and safe sleep support ingredient,” said Unigen Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Qi Jia. “The study provides strong scientific substantiation of sleep benefits from Maizinol®, establishes a high standard in the nutritional industry to assess the overcrowded and self-claimed sleep support actives, and provides objective measurement of sleep quality by actigraphy and EEG device.”
Science Based Ingredients (SBI) Exclusive Distributor of Maizinol® & Univestin® in Canada
Unigen executed its strategic partnership with Science Based Ingredients (Ontario, CANADA). SBI has been appointed exclusive distributor for Unigen’s clinically proven, botanical sleep support and joint health ingredients Maizinol® and Univestin®. SBI is a diversified nutraceutical sales, marketing and distribution company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary, innovative and scientifically researched, health-condition specific ingredients.
“We believe SBI is the right partner in Canada for exclusive distribution of Maizinol® and Univestin®, Unigen’s top tier sleep and joint ingredients,” said Regan Miles, President and CEO. “We see great synergy between our two companies and their mutual focus on delivering exceptional, novel products to the Canadian nutraceutical market.”
Unigen Beauty Ingredients Certified COSMOS Approved Status
Unigen, Inc. received COSMOS Approved status for its proprietary cosmeceutial ingredients: Bakutrol®, Bakutrol® A, Lumicyn™ and Lumicyn™ Pure. Bakutrol® and Bakutrol® A contain Ultra Pure Bakuchiol for potent blemish control. Lumicyn™ and Lumicyn™ Pure are Unigen’s novel ingredients to brighten, calm and improve uneven skin tone induced by hyperpigmentation. The COSMOS Approved status is awarded by Ecocert, an organic certification organization. Ecocert provides certification for 150+ standards in the food, farming, forestry, textiles, cosmetics and eco-products sectors worldwide.
“Unigen Beauty is committed to supporting all of our ingredients for global customer use,” said John R. DeNoia, Jr., Global Sales Director, Cosmetics. “We are pleased to say that COSMOS Approval is part of this commitment.”
Attenutin™ Study Results Promising for Respiratory System Support
Unigen published promising results from a study evaluating Attenutin™ as a natural supplement to combat oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and compromised immune response, particularly in elderly individuals facing respiratory challenges. Attenutin™ is a standardized bioflavonoid composition derived from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and the heartwoods of Acacia catechu. Results were published in the Journal of Nutrients special issue Nutritional Epidemiology: The Role of Bioactive Compounds in Human Health and Diseases (2nd Edition). Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can create a perpetual cycle, particularly in the elderly, where impaired immune function amplifies susceptibility to oxidative damage and oxidative stress further weakens the immune response.
“These results suggest that Attenutin™ offers antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulatory benefits, potentially making it a valuable natural supplement for addressing respiratory conditions associated with aging and oxidative stress,” stated Dr. Mesfin Yimam, Unigen’s Director of Pre-Clinical Research.
Second Pre-Clinical Study Published on Symetrian™ for Immune Support
The second pre-clinical study of Symetrian™ (UP360) for effective immune support has been published in the Journal of Immunology Research (Volume 2024 | Article ID 9307906). Symetrian™ is a standardized composition from extracts of Aloe vera, Poria cocos mushroom, and Rosemary officinalis. The study evaluated Symetrian™ as a natural nutritional supplement for a balanced immune response in an accelerated aging in vivo model. Symetrian™ was found to improve the immune response as evidenced by stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, increase antioxidant capacivty as reflected by augmented SOD and Nrf2, and preserve vital immune organs, such as the thymus, from aging-associated damage. The research findings substantiated the effect Symetrian™ had in activating and maintaining homeostasis of the immune system, both during active infections and as a preventive measure to help prime the immune system.
“Discovery and innovation at Unigen are rooted in the endless potential of nature,” observed Dr. Yimam. “By capitalizing the power of our diverse plant library, we develop sustainable and effective solutions that promote health and well-being. We strive to bridge the gap between nature and mankind, ensuring that the best of nature is accessible, beneficial, and safe for all.”
NASC Preferred Supplier Status Awarded Unigen Pet Line
Unigen found its permanent footing in the animal wellness industry, receiving Preferred Supplier status with the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). The status of Preferred Supplier is an honor bestowed by this non-profit corporation, and its NASC Quality Seal carries meaningful recognition in the animal supplements industry. The NASC provides advice and assistance in the marketing and distribution of feed supplements and animal health supplements for non-human-food-chain (“NHFC”) animals, encourages and fosters ongoing efforts in the research, development, and testing of such supplements and works with regulatory agencies and industry associations recommending regulatory policy to monitor the sale and distribution of both feed supplements and animal health supplements.
“Unigen is committed to providing scientifically researched, clinically proven, efficacious and safe ingredients for the companion animal health care market,” said Dr. Jia. “We fully recognize and value the significance of being awarded NASC’s Preferred Supplier status.”
Content Creators Develop New Promo and Educational Videos
We expanded our marketing content with development of promo videos on Maizinol® for sleep, our first animation explainer video featuring Univestin®, for joint health, and overviews of our Nutra and Pet ingredients. National Sales Director, Shannon Maver, created thoughtful, informative blogs on Maizinol® and Univestin® from a sales and consumer perspective: Solutions in the Face of Sleeplessness – Maizinol® as a Natural Choice for Restorative Sleep; Restless Nights to Radiant Mornings: Empowering Women’s Rest with Maizinol®; and Joints in Jeopardy: Botanical Innovation with Univestin® for Joint Health.
“At Unigen, we are passionate about making a positive impact on women’s health and are excited to contribute to this critical area through our ongoing research and product development,” said Shannon. “Recognizing the significant need for tailored nutritional solutions in the supplement industry, we are dedicated to helping our partners create innovative, effective formulas that address the unique health needs of female consumers around the world.”
Tradeshows & Conferences Key Venues for Celebrating Unigen R&D Activity
Unigen’s sales team and scientists travelled extensively in 2024, attending domestic and international tradeshows and conferences to share Unigen’s newest clinical study data on our wholistic sleep and immune ingredients, joint care developments, developing pet line and boutique cosmetic ingredients. Unigen’s nutraceutical and Unigen Pet brands were promoted at Expo West (Calif.), SupplySide East (NJ), Vitafoods Europe (Geneva), Vitafoods Asia (Bangkok) and SupplySide West (Las Vegas). Unigen Beauty ingredients were promoted at in-Cosmetics Global (Paris), Southwest Society of Cosmetic Chemists show in Texas and featured in poster presentation at the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists Symposium (NJ). Unigen collaborated with our expanded distributor partnerships to globally promoted Unigen. Distributor LehVoss was most especially instrumental in promoting Unigen’s brands across the European market place.
“Being where the decision-makers are, we attend and showcase our clinically backed, patented nutraceutical and cosmetic ingredients! Attending these highly selected tradeshows and events is vital to Unigen’s growth! It provides numerous opportunities to talk face to face with many of our key customers and potential customers under one roof!” said Rodney E. Storms, JD, Executive Sales Director.