ADA, MICH., USA, June 11, 2025 – Amway, the world’s largest direct selling enterprise, today signaled its intention to grow its collaboration with South Korea-based HEM Pharma. This announcement follows a decade of groundbreaking collaboration between the companies since Amway first initiated research and collaboration with HEM in 2016. The companies have reinforced their shared commitment to advancing joint scientific research, technology, and services in the field of microbiome health across the more than 100 countries and territories where Amway conducts business.
Together, Amway, alongside its Amway Business Owners (ABOs), and HEM have developed one of the largest gut microbiome databases in the world with more than 90,000 participants in South Korea. This robust dataset has driven valuable health insights and informed strategic growth initiatives.
“As part of Amway’s continued vision to help people live better lives, we’re committed to uncovering new insights that inspire innovative lifestyle, product and service solutions, empowering ABOs and enhancing the Amway customer experience worldwide,” said Amway Chief Research & Development Officer Kristi Pelc.
“This collaboration marks a significant milestone for HEM Pharma in laying the foundation for global market expansion,” said CEO of HEM Pharma Yosep Ji. “Leveraging one of the world’s largest microbiome databases, we plan to accelerate the development of novel probiotics and expand into personalized solutions tailored to markets around the world.
Amway will extend its microbiome research efforts to additional key markets including Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United States.
For Amway, this marks the first and a strategically significant collaboration centered on delivering microbiome-based technologies and services to support healthier living. In parallel, the company is actively expanding its innovation ecosystem to support the core portfolios including nutrition, skin health, oral health, and clean air and water; and pursuing partnerships with startups and innovation leaders in areas such as advanced plant nutrients, health assessment technologies, and healthy aging solutions.
For more information regarding strategic partnerships with Amway, please contact Dr. Paul Seehra, Amway Vice President, Research & Development or Calvin Tsai, Amway Director, Marketing & Discovery.
About Amway
Amway is a business owner-led global health and wellbeing company based in Ada, Michigan, U.S. It is committed to serving Amway Business Owners and their customers across more than 100 countries and territories worldwide. Top-selling brands for Amway are Nutrilite™, Artistry™ and XS™ – all sold exclusively by entrepreneurs who are known as Amway Business Owners. Amway is the No. 1 direct selling business in the world, according to the 2025 Direct Selling News Global 100 list. For company news, visit: https://www.amwayglobal.com/newsroom.
About HEM
HEM Pharma was co-founded in 2016 at Handong Global University in Pohang, South Korea, by Research Professor Dr. Yosep Ji and Chair Professor Wilhelm Heinrich Holzapfel. The company is a leading R&D enterprise specializing in microbiome-based personalized healthcare and live biotherapeutic product (LBP) discovery platforms. Both its headquarters and research lab are located in Suwon, South Korea.
