AnnurtriComplex is a clinically-backed ingredient representing a multi-mechanism approach to hair health, deriving from Annurca apple polyphenol extract sourced exclusively from the Campania region of southern Italy.
Originally studied and developed by researchers at the University of Naples, MartinBauer launched the polyphenol-rich ingredient during Vitafoods this week (May. 5-7), in the wake of growing evidence that GLP-1 users regularly suffer hair loss.
The firm made its first market appearance as a newly formed, dedicated nutraceuticals unit during Vitafoods in Barcelona.
Julia Wiebe, director of scientific affairs and marketing noted that even without considering GLP-1 users, hair loss affects around 50% of the population, often as a result of hormonal changes.
“Many treatments on the market work on a hormonal level so they come with significant side effects, such as itchiness, loss of libido, and even depression,” she said.
Wiebe explained it is not possible to increase the number of hair follicles so once a follicle has died, it cannot be brought back to life; however, it is possible to improve the health and growth cycle in living follicles.
“Your hair goes through a cycle of growth and silence phases until the hair falls out and is replaced with new hair, or it eventually dies.”
Taken preventatively, AnnurtriComplex can ‘reprogram’ the follicles so that they use glucose for energy instead of amino acids. This saves the amino acids so they can be used to produce keratin; the structural protein that makes up roughly 90% of hair.
“Not only does this keep the hair in the growth phase for longer but it makes the actual hair thicker and stronger too,” Wiebe said.
Discussing the potential growing target audience of GLP-1 users, Wiebe said this could be an ideal support ingredient.
“Our ingredient is the perfect solution because GLP-1 drugs aren’t killing the hair follicles, they are just putting the follicles into silence phase. This is an opportunity for a natural ingredient that can keep the follicles in growth phase.”
The ingredient can be incorporated into instant powders, gummies, tablets, capsules and topical solutions, creating options for convenient and 360 solutions.
Clinical backing
AnnurtriComplex is sourced from apples which undergo a traditional process to enhance their polyphenol content; they are picked while still green before being sun-ripened on straw beds to ‘stress’ the fruit and cause it to become rich in Procyanidin B2.
A controlled clinical study involving 250 women and men with hair loss demonstrated that supplementation with 400 mg of AnnurTriComplex twice daily led to a significant increase in hair growth after 60 days.
Additionally, the complex has been shown to support pathways involved in reducing testosterone-to- Dihydrotestosterone conversion, a major driver of androgenic alopecia.
A streamlined platform
Combining the expertise of MartinBauer, Finzelberg, and MB Med within a single, coordinated platform, MartinBauer Nutraceuticals aims to enable a smoother path from concept to finished product.
The new format strives to provide faster development timelines, greater transparency, and increased confidence in both scientific validation and regulatory compliance.
“We are removing complexity from the development process,” said Anina Krey, global director of MartinBauer Nutraceuticals. “Our goal is to help partners bring clinically substantiated botanical products to market faster, with the transparency and reliability they need.”
