Health Sciences plans big push for cholesterol-lowering product
seaweed-based cholesterol-lowering supplement direct to consumers
this year to kick off sales.
The company says it is working on an infomercial, expected to be ready by the second quarter, and planned to generate between $5-11 million in sales of the product, called Sequestrol, by the end of the year.
The supplement contains an active ingredient derived from brown seaweed and kelp using a patented extraction method developed in Korea.
Health Sciences bought the rights to the technology at the end of 2004 and planned to introduce 'several new products' containing the ingredient during 2005.
However it admitted that the launch had been delayed and it has now reformulated the supplement to include a blend of heart health nutritients in a bid to give it a better start in the marketplace.
"We plan to offer a more comprehensive cardiovascular health benefit than our originally formulated version," the company said in a statement last week, adding that the combination of ingredients can act on circulatory function and lipid levels.
Sequestrol will also be supported by a website which will offer an e-commerce portal and detailed information on the product, testimonials, and research data supporting its efficacy.
A number of clinical studies have demonstrated that the ingredient an lower cholesterol levels, by as much as 22.7 per cent.
Health Sciences is also developing a 'super antioxidant' from apple peels called Aplevia, and working on Edible Sponges, or open-cell hydrocolloids that could be good carriers for vitamins and other nutrients.
The firm also launched its low-glycaemic sweetener Shugr last year and is expecting to see significant returns this year.
In addition, growth could be boosted by further acquisitions.
"We are currently working on acquiring more strategic assets towards positioning us as a leading innovator in the areas of weight management and heart health," revealed the group.
It said it is looking for 'strategic and synergistic acquisition opportunities' that could help it transfer its listing from the OTCBB to a senior stock exchange.
