Boots Centre for Innovation brings calming solution to 'stressed' consumers

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BCI097
Issue Date: 16th November 2009

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Extensive investigations into sleep, stress and energy by Boots Centre for Innovation (BCI) have led to the launch of a revolutionary new supplement which can help people to manage the pressures of modern life.

BCI has identified sleep, stress and energy as a sector with a key unmet healthcare need and is now working to address gaps in the market in response to customer demand. The organisation spoke to experts on the mechanics of sleep and the links to everyday stresses caused by modern lives, and also commissioned research to identify the products consumers are happy to use, revealing a reluctance to use traditional sleeping pills and a preference for supplements and drinks.

As a result of its research, BCI identified an opportunity to develop products that included Lactium®, the key ingredient in Boots Equilibrium. The ingredient is supplied by Cheshire based company Fayrefield FoodTec, who specialise in innovative food ingredients.

BCI reviewed a number of new ingredients from Fayrefield FoodTec and examined the scientific research that had been done by the company before confirming a technical interest in Lactium due to the proven calming properties of this ingredient.

After verifying the research, BCI introduced Fayrefield FoodTec to the Alliance Boots product development team, and the businesses worked together to develop product formulations using Lactium. 20 months later, Boots Equilibrium has been launched in two different formats: a convenient once-a-day capsule in 7 or 14 day packs and a comforting hot chocolate drink.

"There is a genuine need to provide better support for people experiencing everyday stresses caused by modern lives," explains Ron Petersen, managing director, Boots Centre for Innovation. "By focusing on this as one of our key areas of innovation, and through providing inventors like Fayrefield FoodTec with access to Alliance Boots' retail expertise, we can help bring to market unique products, like Boots Equilibrium, that address major healthcare challenges."

Steve Timms, sales and business development director from Fayrefield FoodTec, continues: "Developing the Equilibrium product and bringing it to market has been much easier than I had expected, with the team at BCI supporting me every step of the way. They have a great deal of expertise, and without their support and the open approach from BCI the whole process would have been a lot tougher."

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