Lowering stress hormones is vital for recovery, as elevated levels can disrupt sleep patterns, reduce testosterone, and consequently hinder muscle growth and overall stamina. KA-EX, developed by a pharmacist at ETH after five years of intensive research, supports numerous relevant bioprocesses simultaneously and synchronously. The worldwide patented product is based on a unique combination of amino acids, electrolytes, vitamins, alkaline salts and bioactive substances, making it a sought after clinically tested recovery performance booster that optimizes post-workout recovery and maximizes training gains.
Swiss National Team validates KA-EX
In May 2024, the Swiss national soccer team presented an independent study on the effectiveness of KA-EX at the international specialist congress “Applied Sciences in Football” in Lisbon. The study demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in stress hormone levels: Without KA-EX, only 45% of the players had fully recovered within 48 hours, whereas with KA-EX, 81% achieved full recovery within the same timeframe. KA-EX is the first recovery product globally to demonstrate such a positive effect in lowering stress hormone levels. Accordingly, the Swiss national team continued to use KA-EX as an integral part of its recovery concept during the European Championships, where their performance exceeded all expectations.
Ph. AG, the company behind KA-EX has already established itself in the professional sports sector and supplies, serving over 1000 athletes and available in over 30k Points of Sale worldwide. Among its users are over 30 teams at clubs such as FC Basel, FC Zürich, BSC Young Boys, das Schweizer Tudor Pro Cycling Team, and beyond the Swiss borders, Paris Saint-Germain, Bundesliga, to Saudi Arabia and the NFL. In Switzerland, the recovery drink is also available in pharmacies, Coop and Coop Pronto as well as in various fitness studios such as Holmes Place, Aurum Fitness and PureGym.
Equinox fitness studio in Los Angeles takes on KA-EX recovery drink
KA-EX has become the first Swiss product ever to be available in the renowned earthbar stores and Equinox fitness studios in Southern California. Earthbar is an oasis of health and vitality within studios, offering a limited range of products, including the recently added KA-EX. The Swiss-made product will be available at 34 locations in Southern California, 28 of which are in an in-store concept with Equinox. A particular highlight is the inclusion of KA-EX in their flagship store in West Hollywood. Beyond Equinox and earthbar, the startup plans to reach premium stores and gyms in the USA, another milestone in the company's international growth strategy. "After the exclusivity period, we plan to expand into Equinox in NY as well as Whole Foods and other premium retailers", said Pedro Schmidt, founder of KA-EX.
“The partnership between KA-EX and earthbar is a perfect match!" emphasizes Pedro Schmidt, ETH pharmacist and developer of KA-EX. "Science plays a much bigger role in the USA, and the Americans are years ahead of us Europeans. A great game-changer to US consumers is the actual functionality of KA-EX, being the only functional beverage in the world to lower cortisol significantly within 48 hours. While “cortisol reduction” does not really say much in Europe, Americans understand that this is a stress hormone that disrupts your sleep, lowers your testosterone, thus the ability to grow muscles, and impacts your energy level.”
Los Angeles is the epicenter of fitness and celebrity lifestyle and is known for its luxurious gyms and celebrity members, an opportunity for the Swiss startup to accessA-list celebrities. The concept of this holistic synergy between premium fitness studio and uncompromising nutrition sets global trends, which are also continued in Zürich fitness studios such as Balboa or Indigo.
Fundraising to activiate the US market
Ph. AG is curently raising CHF750k to roll out at Equinox in the US. A larger financing round of CHF 3m at the end of this year is planned to allow them to launch KA-EX at a larger scale in the USA, a major step envisioned to result in between CHF 30m and 50m in annual sales for the startup.
(Press release/RAN)