The herbal formula Immune Extra Prevention (marketed as Immune Extra Prevention in the U.S.), developed by the Institute of Traditional Medicine at NYCU, has recently been officially listed on the top American e-commerce Amazon in cooperation with the Taiwanese biopharmaceutical company, Sun Ten Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
The successful launch of ‘Immune Extra Prevention’ in the U.S. demonstrates Taiwan’s capacity for scientific traditional Chinese medicine. Immune Extra Prevention consists of five herbs: forsythia, skullcap root, bupleurum root, magnolia bark, and patchouli, and was formulated by Professor Hsu Chung-Hua, the Institute of Traditional Medicine at NYCU and the former director of the Linsen Chinese Medicine Kunming Branch of Taipei City Hospital. The formula was developed based on experiences and clinical insights from combating the 2003 SARS epidemic and applying traditional Chinese medicine theories. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was provided to patients as a supplementary vaccine and as a means of reducing the virus’s severity.
Immune Extra Prevention underwent successful technology transfer to Sun Ten Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., leading to its entry into the U.S. market as a dietary supplement. Before commercialization, Immune Extra Prevention was provided to the public in the traditional decoction form for consumption. Considering herbal quality control and the need for scientific and standardized decoction processes, Sun Ten Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. transformed Immune Extra Prevention into convenient and easily consumable capsule form. This not only ensures convenience but also aligns with American consumption habits, allowing a broader population, including non-Chinese individuals, to effortlessly benefit from natural Chinese herbal medicine.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, forsythia aids in throat purification, skullcap root helps cleanse the upper respiratory tract, bupleurum root aids in clearing muscular tensions, magnolia bark assists in gastrointestinal and lung purification, while patchouli aids in eliminating stagnant conditions. Professor Chung-Hua Hsu stated that based on clinical experiences from SARS to COVID-19, this formula establishes a protective barrier against viral invasion and can mitigate virus-related symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and headaches. Related scientific experiments have also been published in international journals. He emphasized that although the current pandemic situation has eased, the unpredictable nature of viruses necessitates strengthening one’s immunity to adapt to changing circumstances, preventing viral intrusion.
Dr. Wu-Chang Chuang, CEO of Sun Ten Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., expressed immense pride in being part of the global promotion of Immune Extra Prevention. He stated that the successful launch of Immune Extra Prevention not only signifies a significant milestone in the field of traditional Chinese medicine but also represents a substantial contribution to global health. Prior to its listing on Amazon in the U.S., Sun Ten had already been selling the product through its own network channels in the United States. Their initial goal remains focused on promoting scientific Chinese herbal medicine education. This collaboration between NYCU and Immune Extra Prevention aims to reach an international audience, enabling non- Chinese regions such as Europe and America to understand the benefits of herbal medicine in preventing influenza, COVID-19, and enhancing immunity.
