Haleon and Botalys partner to advance botanical innovation

The UK-headquartered health care firm will leverage Botalys’ proprietary indoor cultivation platform and metabolomic expertise to develop a high-performance and traceable botanical solution. “We’re excited to collaborate with a company like Haleon that shares our scientific and sustainability values,” said Pierre-Antoine Mariage, founder & CEO of Botalys. “Together, we aim to bring next-generation botanical solutions to life through precision cultivation and evidence-based development.” Founded in 2011, Botalys pioneers biomimetic indoor farming to sustainably cultivate rare botanical ingredients for the nutraceutical, cosmetic and healthcare industries. The platform replicates wild conditions in a controlled environment to ensure purity, sustainability, traceability and bioactive potency with full control over phytochemical profiles. “This collaboration reinforces our mission to make high-potential botanicals accessible through sustainable biotech,” said Michaela Oppold, R&D, head of EMEA growth acceleration at Haleon. Formed in 2022 through the spin-off of GSK’s consumer healthcare division, Haleon develops products in several areas of healthcare including: Oral (Sensodyne, ASquafresh, Biotene), pain relief (Advil, Panadol), VMS (Centrum, Emergen-C), respiratory health (Flonase) and digestive health (TUMS). The firm has identified VMS as a core growth pillar alongside oral health and pain relief, investing £300 million annually in R&D, targeting high-margin oral health and VMS categories with premiumization and affordability strategies. Its Centrum Silver product for older adults, is backed by the new COSMOS-Mind study and through 2026, the firm expects growth of its Centrum brand to accelerate due to a partnership with U.S. Women’s Soccer and sponsorship of the World Cup. “At Haleon, our focus is solely on everyday health,” Yasmine Terki, R&D lead, natural solutions at Haleon, told NutraIngredients. “This means our people, our research and our innovation are dedicated to helping consumers take control of their health in ways that are accessible, effective and relevant to their daily lives. “This partnership with Botalys reflects one example of how we’re combining scientific rigor with consumer insight into how people manage their health as we continue to innovate to meet their evolving needs.” As a further indication of the firm’s interest in nutraceutical solutions, its open innovation programs are sourcing disruptive ideas in personalized nutrition, smart supplementation and novel formats like gummies, oral films and nanoemulsions. “As with all our R&D, quality and efficacy are paramount,” Terki said. “These developments take time, and while we’re excited about the potential, we’re pleased to share the collaboration at this early stage and look forward to sharing more as it progresses.” Botalys’ signature Korean red ginseng ingredient was specifically developed to mimic the molecular profile of 20-year-old wild ginseng to promote mental stamina and help consumers combat heavy mental load. With an optimized molecular profile obtained through the fine-tuning of the plant’s growth parameters, the ingredient is rich in rare ginsenosides, to support several elements of cognition. A new addition to the portfolio is Botalys’ Fjord rhodiola, a Nordic Rhodiola rosea cultivar with adaptogenic properties. This is an endangered plant species due to destructive harvesting practices and climate change, making sustainable supply alternatives essential. What’s more, because it is a slow-growing plant with delayed accumulation of secondary metabolites, cultivated rhodiola “often falls short” in terms of bioactive components, according to the firm. The company states on its website: “Agricultural innovations, among which Botalys’ Biomimetic Indoor Farming, are the key to ensuring the quality and long-term accessibility of this invaluable botanical within the global health market.”