Apr 16, 2026
DINZ CEO Rhys Griffiths, Yuhan Care CEO Son Jeongsu, Hugh Signal from Alpine Deer, and BSI Senior Scientist Stephen Haines at the HENKIV IMMUNE launch event in Seoul.
HENKIV IMMUNE, an immune-enhancing health functional food product developed through years of collaboration spanning New Zealand and South Korea, was officially launched by Yuhan Care yesterday at a ceremony in Seoul. Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) CEO Rhys Griffiths and Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) Senior Scientist Stephen Haines were in attendance as guests, together with representatives from Yuhan Care’s New Zealand-based supplier partners, Alpine Deer.
The ceremony marked the official commercial culmination of years of collaboration between Yuhan Care, a subsidiary of Yuhan Corporation, the leading South Korean pharmaceutical firm, together with DINZ and BSI.
With the only deer velvet-derived immune‑enhancing functional claim approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, HENKIV IMMUNE uses HENKIV as its active ingredient. HENKIV is an extract derived from premium New Zealand deer velvet, produced using a patented process to maximise bioavailability and efficacy.
Under the Korean regulatory system for health functional foods, HENKIV is classified as an Individually Recognised Functional Ingredient, meaning it is a scientifically proven proprietary ingredient that only the applicant, in this case Yuhan Care, can use for the claim. The exclusive claim follows years of human clinical trials, as well as several millions of dollars invested by Yuhan Care.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to be here in South Korea to see HENKIV come to life,” said DINZ CEO Rhys Griffiths. “Deer Industry New Zealand and the Bioeconomy Science Institute through Dr Haines have worked alongside Yuhan Care for many years, so seeing this velvet-based health functional food reach the market is a real milestone. Health functional foods represent a new era where nutrition and health science come together, so these are exciting times for New Zealand deer products.
“This launch also reinforces the value of New Zealand deer velvet,” Griffiths added. “Through long‑term research, collaboration and trust, velvet is increasingly viewed not just as traditional medicine but is now validated as a sophisticated, high‑value health ingredient. Seeing that value realised in an advanced market like South Korea is a significant step for our industry and a powerful signal of what’s possible for the future of New Zealand velvet.”
“This is more than a product launch,” said Yuhan Care CEO Son Jeongsu. “It is proof of our commitment to delivering premium health solutions by combining New Zealand's pristine natural ingredients with rigorous scientific innovation. Together with our New Zealand partners, we will set a new global standard for the wellness industry."
South Korean pharmaceutical companies increasingly value New Zealand velvet due to the strong credibility built around its traceability through DINZ’s VelTrak system, which provides clear assurance of origin, handling, and integrity throughout the supply chain. This confidence is further reinforced by New Zealand’s world‑leading hygiene and food safety standards, robust animal welfare practices, and the high environmental benchmarks upheld by the deer farming sector.
Together, these systems reflect a long‑term commitment to continuous improvement, transparency, and ethical production. Over the years, each enhancement has strengthened the brand, elevating New Zealand velvet from a premium raw material to a trusted, systems‑backed product. Today, this consistent focus on quality and accountability is gaining the recognition it deserves, with both the velvet itself and the frameworks that support it now acknowledged as global benchmarks for excellence.
“With HENKIV, Yuhan Care has firmly established itself as a trailblazer in evidence-based velvet research, translating rigorous science into regulator-backed functional claims,” says DINZ Markets Manager Terry Meikle. “These approvals underscore the company’s long‑standing commitment to scientific validation and position it well to accelerate commercial momentum and leverage these validated claims as a credible springboard into new international markets.”
