Dongwha Pharm, Korea's First Probiotics Recognized for 'Cognitive Function Improvement'

Dongwha Pharm logo (Photo by Dongwha Pharm)

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Dongwha Pharm announced on the 23rd that it had obtained individual recognition for the functional ingredient ‘Cognitive Function Improvement Probiotic Complex (DW2009)’ from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 19th.

DW2009 is a complex of patented strain Lactobacillus plantarum (C29) derived from kimchi and fermented soybean powder fermented using the strain. Dongwha Pharm’s research team demonstrated statistically significant improvement effects in cognitive ability assessments conducted before and after DW2009 intake in a 12-week human clinical trial involving about 100 elderly participants.

This research and development was supported by the 100-Year Society Response Elderly-Friendly Product Research and Development Project under the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Hwang Yeonha, head of Dongwha Pharm’s research institute, said, “This is a case of overcoming high barriers in developing cognitive function functional ingredients and the first domestic recognition of a functional ingredient using probiotics.” He added, “Dongwha Pharm plans to focus on developing health functional foods using this ingredient for consumers who need cognitive function improvement in the aging era.”