Media OutReach
LiveSpo Pharma – Vietnamese pioneer in spore probiotics with international clinical publications, welcomes former BioGaia AB CEO to its Board
The global probiotics market is witnessing exponential growth, projected to reach nearly USD 375 billion by 2034, according to a report by Towards Healthcare (1). Beyond digestive health, probiotics are expanding into respiratory, immune and other new research directions. This presents major opportunities for enterprises with strong scientific capacity and the ability to translate research into community solutions. LiveSpo Pharma, a biotechnology company with the mission ‘A Future Without Antibiotics’,’ has emerged as Vietnam’s representative on the global probiotics map.
In August 2025, researchers at the Spobiotic Research Center (ANABIO R&D) and LiveSpo Pharma, in collaboration with Vietnamese pediatricians, published two important clinical trials in the Nature Portfolio. These pioneering studies evaluated Bacillus spore probiotics in nasal spray form (LiveSpo NAVAX) and high-dose oral form (LiveSpo DIA30), demonstrating effectiveness in shortening treatment time, reducing antibiotic demand, and restoring microbial balance in the respiratory and digestive tracts of children.
Speaking about LiveSpo NAVAX, the nasal spray probiotic, Isabelle Ducellier, newly appointed Board Member of LiveSpo Pharma, said: “There are many nasal sprays available on the market, but none that contain probiotics. When reviewing the scientific data developed by LiveSpo’s R&D team, I was truly impressed by the robust, systematic evidence of effectiveness. The studies were conducted rigorously, and the results highlighted the potential to improve community health, worthy of recognition by prestigious scientific journals.”
This is precisely why LiveSpo Pharma has attracted Ms. Isabelle Ducellier, former CEO of BioGaia AB (Sweden), a global probiotics brand, to its Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience at leading European and global corporations, Ms. Ducellier successfully expanded BioGaia’s presence to more than 100 countries.
LiveSpo was founded by Dr. Nguyen Hoa Anh, who earned a Ph.D. in Life Sciences from Tohoku University (Japan), with the mission of developing water-based spore probiotic technology. After more than a decade, the company has created spore probiotic technology featuring six breakthroughs: liquid form, multi-strain, high concentration, heat resistant, acid resistant and long shelf life.
Remarkably, LiveSpo has developed a nationwide distribution network, present in leading pharmacy chains, traditional drugstores, and mother & baby retail systems, while its e-commerce channels directly reach more than 1 million users.
A key differentiator of LiveSpo is its scientific transparency. All clinical trials are registered on the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) ClinicalTrials.gov system. To date, LiveSpo Pharma has had six studies published in the Nature Portfolio—clear evidence of the rigor, transparency, and scientific value of its products. Nature Portfolio, under Springer Nature, is one of the world’s leading scientific journal systems, renowned for rigorous peer review standards and significant global impact. Within the system, Communications Medicine focuses on biomedical and clinical research, while Scientific Reports is an open-access journal with large-scale publications, ranked among the most-cited worldwide (with over 830,000 citations annually).
The most recent study, published in Communications Medicine – Nature (Impact Factor 2024: ~6.3; SCImago Q1), is titled ‘Bacillus spore-based nasal spray probiotics in the treatment of pneumonia in children with RSV and bacterial co-infection: a randomized clinical trial’ (Le T.H. et al., 2025). The trial demonstrated that LiveSpo NAVAX shortened treatment duration by an average of one day, reduced antibiotic use by nearly 15%, and improved the nasal microbiota by reducing pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Within one month of publication (07/08/2025), the article attracted nearly 1,800 views and reached an Altmetric score of 12—indicating notable engagement for a clinical research article.
Another study published in Scientific Reports – Nature reported that the use of LiveSpo DIA30 significantly shortened treatment duration and reduced antibiotic usage by 25 per cent. This paper by Dang T.H. et al. (2025), titled ‘High-dose multi-strain Bacillus probiotics enhance treatment and reduce antibiotic usage in children with persistent diarrhea through immune and microbiota modulation’.
The strength of these publications lies not only in their findings but also in their international resonance. They align with major global research directions, such as RSV vaccine study at Yale university (Du et al., 2025; Nature Medicine), the nasal influenza vaccine study at the Icahn School of Medicine (Vasilev et al., 2025; NPJ Vaccines) and gut microbiota studies on diarrhea (Vasilev et al., 2025; Yang et al., 2025; Nature Communications). With strong reader engagement and alignment with leading research directions in the Nature Portfolio, these results highlight the potential of spore-based probiotics to improve child health, reduce disease burden, and curb antibiotic resistance—particularly in resource-limited countries.
With a solid scientific foundation, strategic development roadmap, and partnerships with seasoned international experts, LiveSpo is gaining vital momentum for breakthrough growth. The addition of Ms. Isabelle Ducellier, former CEO of BioGaia AB, to the Board of Directors not only brings global expertise and perspective but also opens opportunities to connect with international networks, markets, and standards. Especially, the recent clinical publications in the Nature Portfolio further reinforce LiveSpo’s scientific credibility, laying the groundwork for delivering safe, effective Vietnamese healthcare solutions to both domestic and global communities, and highlighting Vietnam’s growing contributions to global probiotic research.
(1) : https://www.towardshealthcare.com/insights/probiotics-market-sizing
REFERENCES
1. Dang, H.T., Phung, T.T.B., Tran, D.M. et al. High-dose multi-strain Bacillus probiotics enhance treatment and reduce antibiotic usage in children with persistent diarrhea through immune and microbiota modulation. Sci Rep 15, 30231 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15199-y
2. Thi Le, H., Thi Bich Phung, T., Thi Bui, H. et al. Nasal-spraying Bacillus spore probiotics for pneumonia in children with respiratory syncytial virus and bacterial co-infections: a randomized clinical trial. Commun Med 5, 336 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01029-9
Hashtag: #LiveSpo
https://livespo.comThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The decision was announced during the discussion “Competition Development in Global Grain Trade: Joint Efforts of BRICS Countries”, organized by the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre on the sidelines of the 23rd Session of the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy in Geneva.
The event included a closed meeting of BRICS competition authorities and a public panel featuring researchers, academics and representatives of international organizations.
Discussions focused on competition in global grain markets, the growing influence of financialization and digitalization across agricultural value chains, and policy tools to improve market transparency. Participants also reviewed the findings of a joint report prepared by the BRICS Competition Centre and UNCTAD (link: https://www.bricscompetition.org/ru/grainreport) , first presented at the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference in Cape Town in 2025.
A coordinated market study
The central outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a BRICS task force that will coordinate a joint sector inquiry into global grain trade within the framework of the BRICS Working Group on Food Markets.
The task force will be co-chaired by Diogo Thomson, President of Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), and Mahmoud Momtaz, Chairperson of the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA).
Thomson welcomed the initiative and proposed making competition in global grain trade a key topic at the next BRICS International Competition Conference, scheduled to take place in Brazil in 2027.
“Brazil is the only jurisdiction that has launched an investigation into digital grain trading platforms such as Covantis. I therefore strongly welcome this sector inquiry, which will help us better understand the impact of digitalization across grain supply chains and the risks it may create for competition. I also support using the BRICS Competition Centre as the coordination platform for this work,” he said.
Momtaz said one of the main conclusions of the BRICS-UNCTAD report was the significant role speculative activity plays in global grain markets.
“One of the key findings of the report presented by the BRICS Competition Centre is the extent to which speculative factors influence global grain trade. The most effective response is greater market transparency. We should not accept a situation where farmers receive only a small share of the value they create while consumers in Egypt pay excessively high prices for bread. Where does this margin accumulate, and who ultimately benefits from it? These are the questions our sector inquiry should answer,” he said.
He also proposed that the task force develop a common AI-powered price monitoring tool covering BRICS grain markets.
“Such a tool would provide the information needed for market analysis and become an important complement to the joint sector inquiry,” Momtaz added.
From analysis to policy recommendations
Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner of the Competition Commission of South Africa, said the study should contribute to the implementation of the BRICS Grain Exchange initiative endorsed by BRICS leaders in the Kazan Declaration (2024) and the Rio de Janeiro Declaration (2025).
“The proposal to establish a BRICS Grain Exchange should become one of the key recommendations of the sector inquiry as an innovative mechanism for restoring competition in global grain trade. Our objective is not merely to identify market problems but to develop practical recommendations that can ultimately be submitted to the leaders of our countries,” he said.
Alexey Ivanov, Director of the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre, said competition authorities should play a central role in designing the institutional framework of the future exchange.
“The BRICS Grain Exchange should not become another formal institution. It must serve as a practical mechanism for improving competition and market transparency. Competition authorities are uniquely positioned to identify the institutional features that will allow the exchange to achieve these objectives,” he said.
Growing international role
Frédéric Jenny, Chairmanof the OECD Competition Committee, said the initiative demonstrated the growing international role of BRICS competition authorities.
“This project illustrates how BRICS competition authorities are becoming drivers of the global competition agenda. In the past, they largely followed the lead of developed jurisdictions. That is no longer the case. There are very few examples worldwide of such close cooperation between competition authorities. This applies not only to joint market studies, but also to enforcement cooperation and competition advocacy. Rather than acting individually, you have found both the mechanisms and the political will to work together,” Jenny said.
The task force will now begin developing the methodology and work plan for the joint inquiry. Its findings are expected to provide policy recommendations aimed at strengthening competition, improving transparency in global grain trade, and supporting future BRICS initiatives in agricultural markets.
Hashtag: #BRICSCompetition
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Today’s premium SUVs are expected to do more than ever before. For EVs, that expectation increasingly extends beyond the drive itself to the ownership experience that comes with it.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – There’s a reason premium SUVs remain the vehicle of choice across much of the Middle East. People here spend a lot of time in their cars, commuting between cities, shuttling between meetings, while thinking nothing of driving hundreds of kilometers over a long weekend.
A vehicle is where conference calls are taken between appointments, where children fall asleep in the back seat on the drive home, and where many of the ordinary moments of daily life quietly unfold. That is also why buyers in the region tend to value both performance and convenience, rather than simply paying for horsepower or a premium badge.
Electric vehicles have made those decisions even more nuanced. Not long ago, conversations about EVs were largely centered on battery size, driving range and charging times. Those questions still matter, but increasingly, buyers also demand a clear picture of their post-delivery ownership experience, specifically requiring convenient charging, straightforward servicing, and long-term support.
Viewed through that lens, perhaps the most interesting thing about the VinFast VF 8 isn’t any single specification. Rather, it is the way the company has approached the ownership experience around it.
Designed by the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina, the all-electric D-segment SUV combines premium styling with everyday practicality. With up to 493 km of NEDC driving range and up to 402 horsepower through its dual-motor AWD system, the VF 8 is equally at home navigating city traffic or tackling longer journeys across the region. Its spacious cabin, Level 2 driver assistance technologies and 15.6-inch infotainment display are designed with comfort in mind, whether the journey lasts twenty minutes or two hours.
In the UAE, buyers also benefit from a 10-year vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty, 24/7 roadside assistance and five years of free maintenance up to 100,000 km. These benefits strike at the heart of the EV ownership experience, especially for first-time buyers. Running low on charge before an important meeting or worrying about finding support on a long drive are precisely the kinds of concerns that can make consumers hesitate about making the switch.
Globally, VinFast has been investing heavily in the ecosystem surrounding its vehicles. Earlier this year, the company signed agreements with 29 international aftersales partners as part of its plan to expand its global service network to more than 1,100 workshops across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia during 2026. The initiative includes globally standardized technician training alongside software updates, battery inspections and technical support throughout the ownership journey.
In the UAE, VinFast works with Al Tayer Motors to provide local aftersales support while continuing to strengthen its regional service network through experienced local partners. Earlier this year, the company also signed an MoU with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved charging provider, to complement its charging ecosystem with portable charging pods, on-demand mobile charging and emergency roadside charging services.
In many ways, the Middle East’s EV market is still writing its next chapter. Buyers have more choices than ever before, but expectations are rising just as quickly. Developing a competitive electric SUV addresses only part of the equation; ensuring a seamless ownership experience may ultimately prove equally decisive.
Hashtag: #VinFast
https://me.vinfast.com/enThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Alpro Launches Subsidised RM1 Ferritin Checks to Help Women Understand, Prepare and Live Well Through the Transition to Menopause
Before Menopause, Many Women Are Already Struggling in Silence
While menopause is becoming more widely discussed, the years leading up to it often receive far less attention. During perimenopause, women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, energy levels, concentration, sleep, mood and overall well-being. These changes may begin several years before menopause and can gradually affect a woman’s daily life, work and family responsibilities.
The fatigue women are expected to live with
Women in their late thirties, forties, and early fifties often carry multiple responsibilities at home, at work, and within their communities. Persistent exhaustion or difficulty concentrating may therefore be dismissed as stress, lack of sleep, ageing or simply part of having a busy life.
Representing the Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM, Associate Professor Dr Mahmathi Karuppannan said:
Hashtag: #Alpro
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About Alpro Group
Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, Alpro Health, and Alpro Foundation. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.
Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.
With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.
