Wellbeing Subsidiary KGK Science Announces Successful Results of UP446, a Nutraceutical Ingredient, in Positive Immune Defense Response

Wellbeing Digital Sciences Inc. (“Wellbeing” or the “Company”) (NEO: MEDI) (OTC: KONEF) (FRA: SQ2), an evidence-based mental healthcare company focused on the development and implementation of innovative clinical solutions, including psychedelic medicine and digital therapeutics as supported by clinical research, announced today that a clinical study conducted by its wholly owned subsidiary KGK Science Inc. (“KGK”), has shown positive results of UP446 supplementation in helping mount a robust immune response following influenza vaccination.

UP446, a natural health ingredient developed by Unigen Inc. (“Unigen”), contains Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis, botanicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, this is the first study to examine these ingredients using a human vaccine model. The randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving supplementation with bioflavonoid composition UP446 provides evidence for a robust, healthy immune response in adults following influenza vaccination.

Healthy adult participants, who had not yet received their influenza vaccine, between 40-80 years of age were randomized to either UP446 or placebo for 56 days. Halfway through the study, at day 28, participants received a flu vaccine. The results, published in Journal of the American Nutrition Association, showed that supplementation with UP446 significantly increased levels of IgA and IgG antibodies compared to placebo in the post-vaccination period. Influenza-specific IgG antibodies significantly increased with UP446 supplementation from Day 28 to 56 and from baseline at Day 56. Blood levels of glutathione peroxidase, part of the antioxidant defense system, were significantly increased in the pre-vaccination period suggesting UP446 may help improve antioxidant functions in conjunction with vaccination.

“Conducting gold-standard clinical studies is critical in furthering our understanding of the complex interactions between natural health products and immune function” says Dr. Erin D. Lewis, Scientific Director at KGK Science. “Using a vaccine model provided a unique and novel way to examine the effect of UP446 supplementation on the immune response”.

Unigen president and CEO, Dr. Qi Jia, added “This study is a critical step toward providing consumers with scientifically based and safe ingredients and bringing natural health products to market as immune defense nutrients to support respiratory health in cold and flu season. This immune response plays an important role in a comprehensive vaccination strategy that can be applied across the entire spectrum of healthy population especially in an aging community.”