Tel Aviv-based nutritional supplement developer Nutritional Growth Solutions (NG Solutions) has signed a license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Pte Ltd (GSK). GSK will produce and market Horlicks Growth+ a clinically proven formula to enhance height and weight in short and lean pre pubertal children (3-9 years), developed by the Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel.
The formula was launched in India by GSK in May 2016, under the successful Horlicks brand portfolio and supported by an International Speaker Program headed by Prof. Moshe Phillip and Prof. Raanan Shamir who shared the science that had informed this contemporary growth product.
To date growth formulas have been focused on supplying calories and active nutrients to provide the additional energy required for growth. In India progress has been made in recent years to address the number of wasted children, however the prevalence of stunting is still estimated at 48%, and with over 20% prevalence in wealthy and middle income families in India, these statistics are below the WHA goals[i].
In 2014, specialists at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, led by Prof. Phillip and Prof. Shamir, demonstrated that an enriched nutritional formula given to healthy short and lean children over a period of 6 months, significantly improved their height and weight without any increase in their BMI.
The product informed by the work at Schneider, Horlicks Growth +, consists of high protein and contains vitamins and minerals.
Through a study conducted[ii] on children, the product has been clinically proven to show visible growth* in 6 months. The product is targeted towards 3-9 year old children who are short or lean [less than expected height and weight] for their age[iii]. Horlicks Growth+ contains high quality whey protein, amino acids vitamins and minerals. The study results were published in the international medical journal The Journal of Pediatrics.
Lynn Clay, Global Expert Director Nutrition and Digestive Health at GSK, said, "Horlicks Growth+ is a breakthrough product that is a result of extensive scientific research. It provides families with a nutritional supplement for their children. Growth+ contains high quality protein with added nutrients which have been identified by international pediatric experts to support growth in children. We're extremely excited about this launch as we aim to bring best in class products to people when they need them the most, backed up with scientific research at GSK we pride ourselves on."
Prof. Phillip, Director of the Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Schneider and NG Solutions CEO said, "We are very happy to have signed a license agreement with GSK, a world leading consumer healthcare company. This is a major milestone for NG Solutions. We are certain that this collaboration, which will be a new variant in the Horlicks portfolio, will help us transform our research and clinical experience into a product which will help optimize children's nutrition around the world".
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 20, 2016
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