How Livespo Pharma Brought Vietnamese Probiotic Technology to the World

Livespo Pharma chose a reverse strategy: conquering international markets before returning to explore domestic potential, achieving 200 billion VND in revenue after one year.

The story was presented by Livespo Pharma representatives on “The Changers” program, broadcast on VnExpress, revolving around the journey of Vietnamese pharmaceuticals conquering both domestic and international markets.

Initially, Livespo’s representative recalled the context before 2010, when Vietnam’s microbiology sector faced major challenges as digestive issues affected millions of people, but probiotic spore solutions had not been effectively utilized. Dr. Nguyen Hoa Anh, with over 15 years of research in microbiology, recognized the enormous potential of probiotic spores. He also understood that the journey from laboratory to commercial scale would be challenging.

Deciding to make a change, he and his two colleagues, Dang Quoc Hung and Duong Song Ha, established Livespo Global. In 2018, when many Vietnamese pharmaceutical companies were struggling with competitive pressures and constant market changes, Livespo’s emergence brought a new direction to Vietnam’s biotechnology industry.

The leadership chose a reverse approach: instead of rushing into the domestic market, they went straight to international markets – where the most stringent standards would prove the value of Vietnamese products.

Mr. Dang Quoc Hung, CEO of Livespo Pharma, shares about the journey of taking the company global.

Livespo achieved international standards such as FDA certification, launched products on global e-commerce platforms like Amazon, and became Amazon’s Choice – a title reserved for products excelling in both quality and user feedback. From there, Livespo’s products reached consumers in the US and appeared in more than 20 countries, making a mark in the international market.

Besides commercial success, Livespo also affirmed its scientific value through research published in the prestigious Nature Scientific Report. The superior advantages of probiotic spores, such as heat and acid stability, along with clinical efficacy, have convinced leading experts at various international conferences, from the European Spore Conference (Prague, 2019) to the American Society for Microbiology (ASM, 2022).

Another highlight in Livespo’s journey was attracting Mekong Capital as a strategic partner. Beyond capital support, Mekong Capital helped Livespo access world-leading laboratories and build a more professional corporate governance foundation. This was an important stepping stone helping the company develop steadily both domestically and internationally.

Not stopping there, the company focused on expanding Vietnamese awareness about the value of probiotics in healthcare. The domestic market – initially left unexplored – has now become a strategic target for the business. Livespo continuously implements consumer education campaigns, expands distribution channels, and invests in product improvement research. The company has reached over 1 million Vietnamese users, with revenue increasing by 43% in 2024.

Livespo Pharma was the third guest on “The Changers”. The series consists of 3 episodes, featuring conversations with representatives from F88, Nhat Tin Logistics, and LiveSpo. The businesses appearing in the event series share a common philosophy: change is not just a challenge but also a great opportunity. The content especially emphasizes building a work environment that encourages creativity, promotes team spirit, and openness in communication. Each story is a picture of how organizations evolve in a constantly changing business landscape. The program is accompanied by Mekong Capital.