LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Self-care products company Venture Life Group updated the market on business developments in its first-half on Wednesday, reporting that it saw continued success in expanding the reach of its brand portfolio in the period.
The AIM-traded firm said it launched products with 11 international partners in the first half, as part of its continued international market expansion.

Looking at its Dentyl brand, Venture Life said "good progress" was achieved in expanding the brand both internationally and domestically since it was acquired in August last year.

As a result, Dentyl was now available in seven markets, including the UK and Ireland, compared with four markets pre-acquisition.

Highlights there included a new five-year distribution agreement with an existing Chinese partner to add the Dentyl Fresh Breath Beads to their range across mainland China in the third quarter of 2019.

In the UK, Lloyds Pharmacy would be supplying the 500ml Dentyl Fresh Clove flavoured mouthwash from September.

The Venture Life board said it was the first time Dentyl had been distributed by Lloyds Pharmacy as part of their planogram.

Additionally, Superdrug increased distribution of Dentyl 500ml mouthwash by 27% since January, and 93% since brand acquisition, and as a result from July, Dentyl would be available in 385 stores.

For its UltraDEX oral care brand, Venture Life said success was continuing with two new partnerships with the ASDA grocery chain and Well Pharmacy.

It said ASDA had confirmed the launch of UltraDEX mouthwash and Fresh Breath Spray, while Well Pharmacy would stock the UltraDEX range.

Both retailers would supply UltraDEX from September.

Superdrug had also confirmed the launch of UltraDEX Whitening mouthwash from July in 94% of its stores.

UltraDEX One Go sachets would also be launched for the first time in Italy and the United Arab Emirates in late 2019 and early 2020 with existing partners.

Venture Life said UltraDEX products were now available in 20 markets, including the UK and Ireland.

Looking at its Myco Clear, Vonalei and Procto-eze Plus brands, Venture Life said Myco Clear had been launched in Portugal with Jaba Recordati, and more recently with a partner in France.

Separately, Procto-eze Plus and Vonalei had been launched in Israel with Taro Pharmaceuticals in the first half.

In its manufacturing division, Venture Life said a long-term manufacturing agreement had been signed on a "well-established range" of oral care products with an international partner.

Products included mouthwashes, toothpastes and gels for the EU, Asia and Australia markets, with development said to be underway and first production expected to finish by the end of 2019.

An agreement was also signed with Athena Cosmetics Corporation in the US to manufacture two cosmetic products.

First production would begin in August, and a second manufacturing order was expected before the end of 2019.

A new agreement with Italian pharmaceutical company Giellepi would see the development and manufacturing of a new medical device start at the end of 2019, Venture Life added.

Finally, it said a new agreement was signed with AlfaSigma in Italy to manufacture a cosmetic product, with development due to finish in October, and first production expected by the end of the year.

The group said its UK marketing strategy for both UltraDEX and Dentyl was predominantly digitally focused, and targeting various social media channels.

In the case of UltraDEX, the current '#youneverknow' campaign featured a series of videos, introducing an element of humour, encouraging consumers to talk about bad breath and engage through social media channels.

That was being supported with a 10-day sampling campaign beginning on 17 July, where more than 80,000 free mouthwash sachets would be distributed at central London locations.

In addition to that , the '#spititout' campaign was underway and was said to be being well received by both consumers and the UK retail trade, which the board aid indicated that the social media marketing strategy was both effective and helping to raise brand awareness.

"I am pleased to report continued commercial progress in the first half of 2019, particularly the 11 new product launches with partners and securing the ASDA and Well Pharmacy distribution for UltraDEX, as well as building on the international distribution in China for the Dentyl brand," said Venture Life Group chief executive officer Jerry Randall.

"This is also the fourth consecutive year that we have been featured in '1000 Companies to Inspire Britain', which is an exceptional achievement and testament to our year on year growth, which in 2018 saw the group become earnings positive for the first time.

"This has been a great result for the whole team at Venture Life, particularly at this challenging time in consumer markets."

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