MASSTIGE TIME

The academic forum was organized to emphasize the scientific significance and results of HemoHIM, Korea's first individually recognized functional material. The discussions covered a range of topics, including the development background of HemoHIM, which has opened new avenues in the domestic health supplement market as an immunity-enhancing product, as well as its current status, value, and future prospects. Notably, all participants agreed that HemoHIM is a remarkable product that can enhance the quality of life for citizens and contribute to industry growth by introducing a completely new material.

On November 20th, an academic forum was held to celebrate the establishment of the Korean Holistic Care Academy. The event focused on the background of HemoHIM’s development, its significance as the first individually recognized health supplement for immunity, and its future prospects. HemoHIM was initially developed by the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) in collaboration with Kolmar BNH and is now exported to 23 countries worldwide. The forum began with an opening speech by Lee Gwang Jae, the president of the Korean Holistic Care Academy. This was followed by congratulatory remarks from Han Sang Bae, president of the Korea Agency of HACCP Accreditation and Services, and Lee Jong Won, vice president of the Korea Health Functional Food Association.

Additionally, several researchers and professors who have studied HemoHIM participated in the forum, sharing their insights. Notable presenters included Dr. Cho Sung Ki, the original developer of HemoHIM and a tenured researcher at KAERI, as well as the honorary president of the Korean Holistic Care Academy. Other notable speakers were Professor Song Wook from Seoul National University, Professor Shin Kwang Soon from Kyonggi University, and Professor Kang Jin Han from Catholic University of Korea.

The highlight of the forum was undoubtedly the wrap-up discussion. Dr. Cho Sung Ki served as the moderator, guiding a conversation where participants shared their insights on the past, present, and future of HemoHIM. With many experts who played key roles in its development present, it was a valuable opportunity to delve into the details.

The panel included Lim Sang Young, a senior manager at KAERI; Cho Chung Won, the former director of the Nuclear Energy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT; Professor Oh Deog Hwan from Gangwon National University; Former Professor Kim Mi Ri from Chungnam National University; Dr. Jang In Sun, the former director of KAERI R&D Lab; and Professor Kang Jin Han. Each panelist offered their unique perspective on the significance of HemoHIM.

The discussion began with Dr. Jang In Sun reflecting on his time as the director of the KAERI R&D Lab during the initial development of HemoHIM. He recalled, "When I took office at KAERI R&D Lab, I learned about cosmetics and HemoHIM. Despite some disagreement from others, I believed they had the potential to be a valuable business venture that could benefit people, so I advocated for their commercialization. He added, "Although there were bumps in the road, Kolmar BNH, Korea’s first research institute company, was successfully established." Dr. Jang emphasized, "If a product is developed and produced using taxpayers' hard-earned money, it should ultimately benefit the citizens. I hope that the next game changer of Hemo-HIM will be developed to enhance the health and happiness of people around the world."

Following Dr. Jang, Professor Kim Mi Ri, who chaired the HemoHIM Review Committee, detailed the process of certifying HemoHIM as an individually recognized functional material. She explained that the committee engaged in discussions about HemoHIM until 9 PM, as it was an unprecedented situation. According to Professor Kim, HemoHIM is the first functional material recognized for enhancing immunity, the first complex individually recognized functional material, and the first domestically developed one of its kind.

Professor Kim emphasized that "Health supplements, which include functional materials, should be safe for consumption, and this can be demonstrated through scientific and objective data." She also mentioned, "HemoHIM, an impressive new material, was developed based on traditional Korean medicine with the support of advanced biotechnology." Additionally, she noted that "the WHO has warned of a potentially more threatening pandemic. In such circumstances, new materials like HemoHIM are likely to attract more attention."

Following Professor Kim, Professor Oh Deog Hwan shared his thoughts, stating, "I envision a bold future for HemoHIM on a global scale, given its scientific significance." He expressed his hope that everyone would continue to support the Korean Holistic Care Academy in its effort for global recognition. He also highlighted the business potential of HemoHIM, referring to its impressive global sales: "HemoHIM's business performance is remarkable, having already achieved global sales of 2 trillion WON. Therefore, it is essential to closely examine HemoHIM’s success to plan future studies."

Lim Sang Young, a senior manager at KAERI, emphasized the significant role of HemoHIM in biotechnology. He stated, "Its impact is substantial, as it not only boosts immunity and reduces fatigue but also offers a range of versatile effects. We can expect impressive results." Professor Kang Jin Han highlighted the importance of focusing on the potential benefits of Hemo-HIM in addition to its performance. He noted, "Atomy has been instrumental in promoting the benefits of HemoHIM, particularly in enhancing immunity." He also mentioned, "As sales of HemoHIM continue to rise, we will be able to collect more clinical samples to conduct further studies on its new effects."

During the first session of the forum titled "The Past of Atomy," Dr. Cho Sung Ki discussed the creation of HemoHIM. He explained, "Our initial goal in developing HemoHIM was to create a plant-based complex that could deliver three key benefits: protecting regenerative tissues and alleviating fatigue (X effect), supporting the hematopoietic system and reducing fatigue (Y effect), and enhancing immune function (Z effect). When consumed, HemoHIM is designed to fully realize the effects of boosting immunity, reducing fatigue, and improving overall health.

Throughout the development process, the X, Y, and Z effects of various plants were assessed, ultimately leading to the discovery of HIM-1. This combination of Angelica Gigas, Cnidium Officinale, and Paeonia Japonica effectively addresses all three effects. Furthermore, an enhanced polysaccharide recognized for its immune-boosting properties was added to this blend, leading to the creation of HemoHIM, a completely new complex material.

Professor Cho stated, "HemoHIM is a natural complex material that has demonstrated its ability to boost immune cells, NK cells, and cytokine production." He also mentioned that "HemoHIM was certified as the first individually recognized functional material in the health supplement immunity sector by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

In the session of "The Present of HemoHIM," Professors Song Wook and Shin Kwang Soon presented their findings on "The Study Results of HemoHIM's Effects on Fatigue Improvement" and "The Biological Utilization of Polysaccharides Derived from Nature," respectively.

Professor Song Wook from Seoul National University highlighted the significant impact of chronic fatigue and reduced strength on quality of life, identifying it as a major health concern. To tackle this issue, various products made from natural ingredients have emerged in the market, aimed at alleviating both psychological and physical fatigue while enhancing workout performance. He specifically mentioned HemoHIM, stating, "HemoHIM is well-known as a health supplement with immunity-enhancing effects, and previous studies have shown that its components are effective in improving workout capacity and reducing fatigue."

Professor Song Wook stated, "The study found that HemoHIM significantly improves fatigue, especially physical fatigue, as measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)." He added, "Hemo-HIM strongly activates antioxidant processes and protects tissues from oxidative damage, ultimately reducing fatigue caused by physical activities."

Next, Professor Shin Kwang Soon began his presentation titled "The Biological Utilization of Polysaccharides Derived from Nature." He noted that approximately 75% of the global population still relies on nature-based ingredients for health management. He remarked, "Traditional medicinal herbs are gaining global attention due to the rise in chronic diseases and the side effects associated with modern synthesized medications." He also explained that assessing polysaccharides of HemoHIM opens up opportunities for developing new functional materials and commercial products."

In the third session titled 'The Future of HemoHIM,' Professor Kang Jin Han discussed potential follow-up studies on Hemo-HIM in his presentation, 'The Expected Effects of HemoHIM: A Scientifically Approved Material and Suggestions for Future Research.’ He highlighted the key benefits of HemoHIM based on research published in international academic journals like SCIE. He suggested several follow-up study topics from a medical research perspective, including: ▲Preventing age-related decline in immune function by activating immune cells such as T cells and NK cells ▲Reducing inflammation in the digestive system through its anti-inflammatory properties ▲Alleviating respiratory inflammation caused by allergies ▲Repairing damage to major organs through immune modulation ▲Mitigating the side effects of radiation therapy and promoting faster recovery ▲Reducing side effects and enhancing immunity during cancer treatment with HemoHIM.

Professor Kang stated, "Research has objectively shown that HemoHIM is effective in strengthening innate immunity, which could greatly benefit the immune systems of seniors and those with underlying health conditions." He added, "It's crucial to explore more effective ways to support individuals in need of enhanced immunity by broadening the applications of HemoHIM, as indicated by the proposed follow-up studies."

HemoHIM contains a blend of extracts, including Angelica Gigas, which is recognized for its immunity-boosting properties. Recently, it has also been acknowledged as a dual-functional ingredient by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for its ability to reduce fatigue, marking it as the first individually recognized functional material in this category. Kolmar BNH has taken proactive steps to ensure the sustainability and value chain of HemoHIM by expanding its intellectual property through research publications and patent registrations related to stomach health, liver health, strength enhancement, and cognitive improvement.

Lee Gwang Jae, president of the Korean Holistic Care Academy, stated, "HemoHIM, the leading individually recognized functional material in Korea, plays a significant role in fostering an ecosystem that supports businesses, government institutions, and academia in developing new technologies and extending healthy lifespans."

A representative from Kolmar BNH remarked, "The efficacy and safety of HemoHIM have been demonstrated through numerous scientific studies and clinical trials. This health supplement is crucial in addressing major health concerns today by enhancing the immune system and alleviating fatigue." They added, "Today's forum will systematically highlight the research findings and scientific significance of HemoHIM, providing an opportunity to strengthen its competitiveness and explore new growth avenues in the global market."

He also mentioned, "In addition to registering HemoHIM as a health supplement in China, we are currently working on related research papers and securing patents. We plan to register it in Italy, Belgium, and Turkey by 2025." Lee Jong Won, vice president of the Korea Health Functional Food Association, stated, "HemoHIM has been a favorite among consumers for the past 20 years due to its remarkable functions and efficacy." He added, "I hope the next big innovation for HemoHIM will emerge, showcasing the excellence of K-health."

Han Sang Bae, president of the Korea Agency of HACCP Accreditation and Services, remarked, "HemoHIM is the epitome of a Korean health supplement, developed by combining indigenous herbs such as Angelica Gigas, Cnidium Officinale, and Paeonia Japonica." He expressed his hope that HemoHIM will continue to innovate and lead the global wellness market as a pioneer of K-health."

[Source] Next Economy (No. 247, Dec 2024)