Biomaterials or a substance made to fit in with biological systems are being widely used for medicinal treatment or therapies. Many science-based companies are looking at developing biomaterials for various ailments and conditions. Korean startup PENS Co., Ltd. is a science-based company that plans its growth in health and wellness through biomaterials.
Targeting Height Growth & Osteoporosis treatment
PENS Co., Ltd. is developing various domestic sources of biomaterials that can be used for various conditions like osteoporosis, height growth, kidney function, cardiopulmonary function, immunity, etc. The research-based startup is currently selecting and analyzing over 20 indicator materials for the purpose.
The majority of parents and children are worried about height growth and existing drugs are costly and with side-effects. Osteoporosis is a raging problem amongst the elderly with patients suffering frequent fractures, especially affecting women over 50. PENS Co., Ltd. wants to help these two groups with a more effective solution.
Currently, it is focussing on two conditions – one is the problem of height growth among children, and the second is osteoporosis among the silver generation. The startup wants to develop biomaterials that can overcome the limitations of the existing treatments that include hormone intakes, which can have harmful side effects in the long run.
The startup has registered two domestic patents and applied for two overseas PCTs for its products. For height growth a composition containing a component of
Korean ‘Humulus japonicus’ as an active ingredient and a health functional food are patented.
PENS’ two SCI papers based on the results of cell and animal experiments related to height growth will be published in international journals in the second half of 2020:
- ‘A Mixture of Humulus japonicus Increases Longitudinal Bone Growth Rate in Sprague Dawley Rats’ (JOURNAL OF NUTRIENTS)
- ‘Effect of Humulus japonicus complex on Bone Growth and IGF-1 levels in Rats’
Expecting tremendous growth in coming years
The company’s business model is to enter the biomaterial market in various sectors as food, herbal, pharmaceuticals, etc. PENS has chalked out the growth line starting with research at the PENSBIO research institute, then producing and distributing through global agencies and online presence. The company is seeing a significant market opportunity in China, especially its height growth product, and will be tying up with global distribution companies as partners.
The startup is headed by Kim Hong Sik. He holds a Ph. D. in Public Health and has worked with the National Institute of Health, Korea Food Research Institute, and he also has experience in developing a Malaria diagnosis kit. PENS Co., Ltd. Has several expert science researchers on board as part of the team and advisors. The startup is looking to start its Prototype this year and enter the China market. The startup wants to enter Southeast Asia, North and South America, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc. in the coming years.
