The Awards has provided a stepping stone for many, both in business development and/or research interests as recognition amongst industry peers opened doors to new directions and possibilities.
That was certainly the case for 2020’s winner in the Botanical Product of the Year category, Uriach, a Barcelona-based pharmaceutical company that struck gold with its Aquilea Sueño Compact.
The product is a bilayer tablet made up of one layer of melatonin to help users fall asleep and a second, prolonged-release layer, made up of Valerian, Passionflower and California Poppy extracts that aid in getting a good quality night’s sleep.
NutraIngredients caught up with Mònica Gispert Sararols, Uriach’s Head of Innovation & Corporate Development, on what’s changed since the firm scooped the Award last year.
Thanks for talking to NutraIngredients. Firstly, what made you decide to compete for the Botanical Product of the Year Award?
“Uriach has started an ambitious 5-year strategic plan, with Product Innovation in its cornerstone. We wanted to check if our investments on innovation were really paying out, and if our products were perceived as innovative as we ourselves thought them to be.
“What better way to do so than to put our products in contest with other companies? After reviewing different contests around the world, we found Nutraingredients award one of the most international and well-known prizes within the food supplement industry, and a great way to showcase our innovation efforts to the whole world.”
What difference did the Award make for your company and its business activity in 2020?
“This award has been an effective tool to demonstrate that our products are innovative, in the eyes of a very experienced panel of international judges, and thus in the eyes of the world.”
Do you think the win has opened up more opportunities to Uriach and the business’ growth and development?
“The Uriach products that have won a Nutraingredients Award in 2020, Aquilea Sueño Compact and Cannabix cream, definitely receive a strong push in terms of our international business development efforts.
“As a result, we have launched Aquilea Sueño Compact in two new countries in 2020 and hope to open new countries in 2021 too.”
Would you say the award win served as a trigger towards exploring new areas of research or business development?
“Nutraingredients Awards generate international interest, and it will definitely serve us to open new geographic territories that we previously had not put much emphasis on.”
Finally, do you have any advice for future Botanical Product of the Year Award competitors?
“In order for a product to be a winner, it does need a combination of strong science (scientific support), and strong sales (business support). If you have both sides of the equation, you have a winner!”
Need to know more?
With the deadline for applications to the NutraIngredients Awards fast approaching, it's vital that your applications are as strong as they can be.
But which award should you apply for, what are the key criteria for this year’s categories, and what do the judges look for in a great entry?
Our judges’ top tips from last year’s Awards will ensure you know exactly what to enter for, and how to make your entry stand out! Our judges this year are looking for more of the same!
While these top tips and hints from the judges will certainly help to improve your application, check out the NutraIngredients Awards website for further details.
To be in with a chance of winning, submit your entry before Monday 18 January 2021.
