Kyowa Hakko Bio has strategically repositioned its operations by designating Kyowa Hakko Bio Italia (KHIT) as its primary commercial hub for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). This pivotal move follows the successful merger of its former German affiliate, underscoring Kyowa’s commitment to becoming a leading, agile, science-driven entity in health ingredients.
KHIT is now tasked with spearheading Kyowa’s regional operations, with a particular emphasis on the health science and dietary supplement sectors. Central to this strategy is the Cognizin Citicoline portfolio, which is expected to drive significant growth. The restructuring aims to streamline decision-making processes, improve customer responsiveness, and bolster scientific and commercial collaboration across the EMEA region.
Nicola Urso, who brings 25 years of experience at Kyowa, has been appointed as the president of KHIT. Urso is recognised for his strategic acumen and operational expertise. His responsibilities will include overseeing market expansion, driving digital transformation, and fostering talent development within KHIT.
“This evolution marks a new chapter in our European journey,” Urso stated. “With a more agile structure and a clear regional remit, KHIT is poised to deliver greater scientific value to customers across EMEA, faster and more effectively than ever before.”
A key element of this transformation is the establishment of a dedicated scientific marketing team, led by Dr Eri Nakazaki. This team will focus on translating Kyowa’s global research and development into actionable claims, regulatory-compliant messaging, and customer-oriented programmes.
KHIT will serve as Kyowa’s unified commercial platform for the EMEA region, with local GMP stock approved by health authorities to ensure quicker and more consistent market access. The new focus will be on Citicoline and other health science opportunities to meet the increasing demand for cognitive and wellness solutions. Additionally, the newly formed science marketing capability aims to enhance evidence-based storytelling and support regulatory-aligned innovations. The infrastructure improvements are also designed to facilitate co-development and scaling of solutions with global food, beverage, and supplement brands.
KHIT’s mission is to enhance health and well-being across EMEA by providing trusted, science-backed ingredients. Its vision is to establish itself as Kyowa’s European gateway, recognised for scientific excellence, customer-centric execution, and sustainable growth.
Urso further commented, “By combining world-class science with sharper execution, Kyowa Hakko Bio Italia is set to elevate Kyowa’s presence and performance across EMEA.”
