Hecto Healthcare said on Wednesday its probiotics brand Desimone was selected as No. 1 in the probiotics category at the "2026 Brand of the Year" awards.

The awards are hosted by the Korea Consumer Brand Committee, with consumers directly choosing the brands that represent the year. About 770,000 people took part in category voting through online and telephone surveys this year.

The company said the products are made with the "Desimone Formula" developed by probiotics researcher Professor Claudio De Simone. It said it has built scientific evidence through 469 international academic papers, including SCI-level publications, holds patents in 15 countries and is sold in 40 countries including the United States and Europe.

In South Korea, it received individual recognition for functionality from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2009, for helping intestinal health by regulating intestinal immunity. Its flagship product, "Desimone 4500", has 450 billion CFU, the highest guaranteed count among probiotics products distributed in South Korea, and has maintained its position in the premium market.

It has built out its lineup with products including the Baby·Kids Step series that can be chosen by growth stage, and "Desimone Balance Care" containing 4,000 mg of myo-inositol. Through its companion-animal brand "Desimone Pet", it plans to expand into the pet healthcare segment.

Kim Seok-jin (김석진), chief executive of Hecto Healthcare, said it was meaningful that Desimone was selected as the brand of the year in the probiotics category through a vote involving about 770,000 consumers. He said the company will continue to introduce probiotics products consumers can trust based on scientific evidence and ongoing research and development, and grow into a brand competitive in global markets beyond South Korea.