Kyowa Hakko USA

Name

Kyowa Hakko USA

Legal name

KYOWA HAKKO U.S.A., INC.

Website

https://kyowa-usa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nutraceutical Ingredients

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Proteins & Functional Nutrition Ingredients (Plant/Animal Proteins, Collagen, Amino Acids) (CRADAOAJ)

Keywords

• Branded nutraceutical ingredients
• Fermentation amino acids
• Dietary supplement ingredients
• Functional food ingredients
• Pharmaceutical grade ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. B2B Ingredient Sales: Sale of proprietary branded ingredients to nutraceutical, food/beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Ingredients include Cognizin®, Setria®, IMMUSE®, EYEMUSE®, VELOX®, Sustamine™, and others.
2. Licensing and Distribution: Licensing of branded ingredient formulations and distribution agreements for proprietary ingredients to partners globally.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kyowa Hakko USA is the North American sales office and distributor for Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd., selling proprietary branded and bulk health ingredients produced via fermentation technology — including branded ingredients (Cognizin®, Setria®, Pantesin®, EYEMUSE®, IMMUSE®, VELOX®) and amino acids/dipeptides — directly to nutraceutical, functional food/beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Product overview

Kyowa Hakko USA is the North American sales office for Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd., an international health ingredients manufacturer and world leader in fermentation technology. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio of branded ingredients including Cognizin® Citicoline (brain health), Setria® Glutathione (antioxidant/immune health), Pantesin® Pantethine (cardiovascular health), EYEMUSE® (postbiotic for eye health), and IMMUSE® (postbiotic for immune health). They also offer patented performance blends (VELOX®, Setria® Performance Blend) combining amino acids like L-Citrulline and L-Arginine, as well as foundational amino acids (L-Glutamine, L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine/Sustamine™, L-Ornithine, L-Arginine). The company serves the dietary supplement, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical industries with fermentation-based, non-GMO, and GRAS-affirmed ingredients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cognizin: Branded brain health ingredient (Citicoline) for cognitive support, focus, and memory.
• Setria
• Pantesin
• EYEMUSE
• VELOX
• Setria Performance Blend
• IMMUSE
• Sustamine

Products and services

• Cognizin® Citicoline Premium, science-backed brain health ingredient (citicoline) that supports focus, memory, attention, and long-term brain health. Manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd. and distributed in North America by Kyowa Hakko USA to supplement and nutraceutical manufacturers.
• Setria® Glutathione Clinically studied form of glutathione (a tripeptide antioxidant) manufactured through a patented fermentation process. Shown to replenish the body's reserves, support immune health, and protect cells from oxidative stress. Distributed to supplement and nutraceutical manufacturers.
• Setria® Performance Blend Patent-pending blend of L-Citrulline and Setria® Glutathione designed to support nitric oxide production, with studies showing it sustains NO levels twice as long as L-Arginine or L-Citrulline alone. Targeted at athletes and sports nutrition manufacturers.
• Pantesin® Pantethine Highly absorbable and biologically active form of Vitamin B5 (pantethine) clinically studied to significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels and support cardiovascular health. Sold to supplement manufacturers.
• EYEMUSE® Lacticaseibacillus paracasei KW3110 Postbiotic ingredient featuring Lacticaseibacillus paracasei KW3110, used in eye health supplements including Zen Nutrients' postbiotic eye gummy product.
• VELOX® Patented Performance Blend Clinically studied combination of L-Citrulline and L-Arginine protected by 4 U.S. Patents (8,609,735; 9,060,980; 9,622,998; 10,052,298). Shown to rapidly increase blood Arginine levels, power output, and reduce muscle soreness in sports nutrition applications.
• IMMUSE® Lactococcus lactis Postbiotic ingredient for immune health that has been clinically tested to support immune function. Winner of the inaugural 'Microbiome Modulation' Industry Award from NutraIngredients-USA. Sold to supplement manufacturers.
• L-Citrulline (Kyowa Quality) Non-essential amino acid that plays an important role in nitric oxide metabolism and regulation. Self-affirmed GRAS, non-GMO, vegetarian, and preservative-free. Used in heart health and sports nutrition applications.
• L-Glutamine (Kyowa Quality) Most abundant amino acid in human muscles and blood. Kyowa's American-made L-Glutamine is backed by research and used in dietary supplement products to support muscle recovery and gut health.
• Sustamine™ L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine High-tech amino acid dipeptide produced by patented fermentation technology and GRAS self-affirmed. Clinically studied to increase performance in endurance exercise and support muscle rehydration, recovery, and energy refueling.
• L-Arginine (Kyowa Quality) FDA approved food additive amino acid used in the VELOX® Patented Performance Blend. Supports nitric oxide production and cardiovascular health.
• L-Ornithine (Kyowa Quality) Amino acid used to build muscle by stimulating protein synthesis through growth hormone enhancement; also assists weight loss by increasing basal metabolism and enhances immunity and liver function. GRAS self-affirmed.
• Lumistor™ L-Hydroxyproline Natural, animal-free fermentation-based amino acid with benefits including moisture retention of skin and proliferation of newborn human epidermal keratinocytes. Used in cosmetics and toiletries.
• Hydrafend™ Sodium Hyaluronate Acid Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid from fermentation-based production. Functions as a lubricant and highly effective moisturizer for skin, joints, and eye fluids. Animal-free alternative.

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Step Change InnovationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch Amabie Sparkling Immunity Tonic featuring IMMUSE® ingredient, combining functional beverage development with proprietary immune health ingredient.
• ONE Innovation LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration for LiposoMax® liposomal delivery platform, enabling enhanced delivery of ingredients through advanced liposomal technology.
• NutrapharmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNutrapharm launched Setria® Glutathione finished product approved in Chile, expanding market access for branded glutathione ingredient in South America.
• Karma WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to launch Karma Energy Water, integrating functional ingredients into ready-to-drink beverages.
• Zen NutrientsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEYEMUSE® used in Zen Nutrients' postbiotic eye gummy product, expanding ingredient applications to novel delivery formats.
• GlaxoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlaxon's Plasm Surge product utilizes Setria® Performance Blend, Velox®, and L-Citrulline, featuring multiple Kyowa branded ingredients in a sports nutrition formulation.
• Happy Panda™minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFunctional energy drink featuring Cognizin® Citicoline for cognitive performance benefits.
• RYSE SupplementscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor16 reformulated SKUs featuring Cognizin® Citicoline, representing significant product line integration of brain health ingredient.
• Liquid Health LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowerCap® technology partnership for advanced delivery systems, enabling innovative product formats.
• Austin ChemicalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketing and selling Sustamine™ for cell culture applications, extending ingredient use into biotechnology markets.
• Presperse LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for personal care and cosmetic ingredient distribution, expanding ingredient applications beyond nutraceuticals.
• Wacker Biochem CorporationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCysteine distribution agreement for raw material supply chain optimization.
• Trans ChemminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor arrangement in Australia, providing market access for branded ingredients in Oceania region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sabinsa Corporation: US-based supplier of patented, clinically validated branded ingredients (e.g., Curcumin C3 Complex, BioPerine) to nutraceutical manufacturers — same branded-ingredient B2B model as Kyowa Hakko USA, with similar patent and trademark strategies.
• PLT Health Solutions: US-based ingredient supplier that licenses and distributes patented, science-backed branded ingredients (e.g., Zembrin®, Spectra®, HydroCurc®) to nutraceutical manufacturers — closely mirrors Kyowa Hakko USA's branded-ingredient B2B go-to-market model and customer base.
• CJ CheilJedang: Korean conglomerate with a major amino acids and nucleotides business built on fermentation technology — a direct competitor to Kyowa Hakko Bio's core manufacturing process for lysine, tryptophan, nucleotides, and other fermentation-derived functional ingredients.
• Ajinomoto: Japanese fermentation-based amino acid and nucleotide producer — the most direct competitor to Kyowa Hakko on amino acid technology (L-Arginine, L-Glutamine, L-Citrulline) and on bio-fermentation manufacturing for nutraceutical and pharma applications.

Broad incumbents

• DSM-Firmenich: Global nutritional ingredients major with branded ingredients across vitamins, omega-3, and functional nutrition; serves the same dietary supplement, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturers as Kyowa Hakko USA but at much greater scale and with a broader portfolio.
• ADM (Archer Daniels Midland): Global agribusiness and ingredient giant with a Human Nutrition division selling flavors, proteins, and functional ingredients to CPG and supplement brands — broad incumbent overlap with Kyowa across nutraceutical and functional food channels.
• Glanbia Nutritionals: Large nutritional solutions provider offering proteins, prebiotics, and functional ingredient blends to supplement and functional food manufacturers — direct overlap with Kyowa in sports nutrition and functional beverage ingredient supply.
• Balchem Corporation: US-listed specialty ingredient manufacturer serving human nutrition, animal nutrition, and pharma with branded functional ingredients — comparable mid-scale player with similar go-to-market through B2B ingredient sales to supplement and food brands.
• Lonza Group: Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization with a large nutritional ingredients and biotics portfolio; competes with Kyowa in pharma-grade ingredients, microbial fermentation, and capsule-grade nutraceutical supply.
• Cargill: Global food and ingredient major with branded nutritional ingredients (e.g., omega-3, sweeteners, proteins) sold to food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers — competes with Kyowa in functional nutrition and B2B ingredient distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KyowaHakkoUSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/KyowaHakkoUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kyowa-hakko-usa

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kyowa Hakko USA