Nexus Wise spots technology, health and market drivers for nutraceutical innovations

Scientific advancements in ingredient technology and consumer demand for effective products continue to drive innovations in the nutraceutical industry. We discuss scientific and consumer drivers of these developments, trending health areas and ingredients with Chris Tan, the CEO and founder of Malaysia-based Nexus Wise.

“Advancements in the delivery technology such as microencapsulation, sustained release and liposomal technology are transforming the nutraceutical market by improving the viability and maximizing ingredient effectiveness,” Tan tells Nutrition Insight.  

“Since consumers become more informed and embrace trends like science-based wellness, clean label and evidence-based nutrition, they increasingly value branded ingredients supported by clinical research,” he adds. 

Tan predicts that products enhanced by cutting-edge technology or backed by clinical studies will continue to drive innovation and growth in the industry.

“Innovation and technology keep the nutraceutical market more responsive, credible and relevant. These ensure that the products are aligned with scientific advancements and consumer values and deliver tangible long-term health benefits.” 

Ingredient innovations

Consumers increasingly seek natural options to manage stress and boost immunity, and Tan also sees a growing interest in microbiome research. 

“Therefore, some ingredients are gaining popularity in the industry, like adaptogenic mushrooms, fermented botanical extracts and postbiotics. Global demand for adaptogenic mushrooms is expected to grow 8–10% annually, with a significant market expansion in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.” 

“Fermented botanical extracts, such as kombucha extract powder, are getting more traction because fermentation brings more bioavailability. This makes this product’s benefits more apparent for the health-conscious consumer.” 

He says that postbiotics, which are still relatively new in the industry, draw attention because of their “unique health benefits, strong safety profile and alignment with this growing demand for gut health products.” 

“In addition to new ingredient innovation, supplement formats are evolving to meet the consumer preference toward more convenient and enjoyable experiences,” adds Tan. 

“Products like gummies, liquid jelly sachets or shot and powder drinks are getting more traction. All these formats are more user-friendly.” 

In addition, he details that technology helps in product discovery and formulation, supporting scientific research and clinical studies and building ingredient databases to identify new compounds. “This speeds up the R&D process and formulations to create more effective and innovative products.”

Responding to health challenges

Tan notes that non-communicative diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity, are among the significant health issues. In addition, health concerns like anxiety and depression also become more common. 

“The aging population introduces another significant health challenge as more people live longer, and the increasing number of older adults face age-related health concerns,” he continues. 

Last year, we discussed innovations in the nutraceutical sector with Chris Tan.“Environmental factors like pollution and climate change also contribute to health risks, affecting the air quality, food availability and spread of diseases.” 

In response to these emerging health challenges and consumer demand for effective products, Tan highlights several nutraceutical categories that are becoming “increasingly important.” 

“The first will be mental health and connective support. Consumers are more concerned about connective decline, mood regulation and focus issues,” he details. “The second will be healthy aging and longevity. An aging population wants to maintain vitality and mobility as they age.” 

“Third will be metabolic health and weight management. With an increased prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, which are related to chronic conditions, consumers are looking for nutraceutical solutions that can improve their metabolic glucose management and energy balance.” 

The fourth category Tan points to is immune-boosting ingredients. “With the increasing awareness of infectious diseases, we need more clinically proven, effective ingredients to boost the immune system, especially in respiratory health.”

Inspiration from the Malaysian rainforest

Tan details that Nexus Wise integrates technology and innovation to bring Malaysian rainforest resources to global consumers. 

“The three key innovation areas we focus on are precise and targeted health formulations, delivery technology and sustainable ingredient sourcing.” 

The company also conducts human clinical studies for its health claims, adds Tan. “For instance, our adaptogenic mushroom blend, Restake, has a clinical potential to reduce stress by 45% in just two weeks.” 

The company’s NutriSeal encapsulation technology helps to improve ingredient bioavailability and stability. 

“At the same time, we prioritize sustainable sourcing and traceability, and we upcycle ingredients to meet environmental concerns and the rising demand for clean, eco-friendly products.”