CJ Wellcare signs MOU with Cirkadian to develop personalized sleep solutions

CJ Wellcare announced Friday it has signed an MOU with sleep technology company Cirkadian to jointly develop "personalized melatonin management technology based on sleep and circadian rhythms."

Under the agreement, the two companies will pursue joint research projects. The collaboration centers on using Cirkadian's circadian rhythm, sensor and illuminance-based IT technology to analyze individual sleep patterns and alertness rhythms, and to build a shared algorithm capable of monitoring and predicting melatonin secretion.

The partnership will also cover integration with Cirkadian's hardware devices, including its Melalight lamp. Over the medium to long term, the companies plan to develop a "personalized melatonin recommendation program" that analyzes sleep and environmental data to suggest optimal melatonin dosage and timing for each individual.

CJ Wellcare will handle research into sleep- and melatonin-related functional ingredients, along with product development and retail channel operations. Cirkadian will contribute its circadian rhythm-based IT algorithms and data-collection hardware.

A CJ Wellcare official said the agreement is "a first step toward providing sleep solutions optimized for each individual's lifestyle by incorporating IT technology, going beyond simply developing a product."