Press Kit
Table of Contents History of the PronoKal Group p.3 Mission p.4 Human Resources and Logistics Structure p.5 Our Methods p.6 Research and Studies p.9 Communication and Awareness Activities p.11 CSR Activities p.12 About Us p.14 Contact Information p.15 2
The success of our medical treatments is substantiated by the more than 300,000 patients treated and over 4,000 prescribing doctors who trust in the rigour and effectiveness of our methods. These figures make PronoKal Group the top company in our sector. History of the PronoKal Group PronoKal Group is a Spanish multinational company which began in 2004, with the launch of the PronoKal Method. This project positioned the company as a pioneer and specialist in weight-loss treatments based on the Protein Diet. Since 2009, the expansion and internationalization of PronoKal Group has led to the presence of independent affiliates in close to 16 countries in Europe, America, Africa and Asia, as well as management divided among three European administrative headquarters (Geneva, Luxembourg and Barcelona). Over the years, PronoKal Group has expanded and upgraded their offer to include programmes which today comprise the participation and contribution of various professionals (doctors, dietitian-nutritionists, physical activity technicians, coaching experts, etc.), aimed at weight loss and an improvement in pathologies associated with overweight and obesity. 3
Mission The WHO has determined that overweight and obesity are the fifth highest cause of mortality in the world. At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a consequence of overweight or obesity. 44% of the burden of diabetes, 23% of ischaemic heart disease and between 7 and 41% of some cancers can be attributed to overweight and obesity. The primary mission of PronoKal Group is to curb overweight and obesity in those countries where it is a burden. According to eminent institutions in this area, these two health issues have now become a global epidemic. The company therefore centres its efforts on offering effective solutions to help the patient reach their weight-loss goal and maintain their weight in the long term, as well as reduce obesityrelated pathologies, thus allowing the patient to enjoy a better quality of life and well-being. This means we are able to offer safe and effective treatments, such as the PronoKal Method and DiaproKal, and carry out research which focuses on offering daily improvements in treatments and new ways of fighting against obesity. PronoKal Group is also active in prevention and awareness campaigns to inform the general population of the need to adopt habits for healthy living that will allow us to enjoy a high quality of life. To this end, the Group leads and participates in various social and health-related communication, education and awareness activities in order to involve health professionals and citizens in the active fight against overweight and obesity. PronoKal Group also works in a third area to fulfil their goal: corporate social responsibility. The company organizes activities in this area which allow workers to help in raising the quality of life for those people who need it most. There are likewise programmes to promote healthy living habits among PronoKal Group employees so that they may serve as healthy role models for those around them. Indirectly, the company also works on numerous corporate social responsibility projects through Fundación PronoKal. 4
Human Resources and Logistics Structure The PronoKal Group structure is based on independent affiliates, adapted to each country's reality and needs. This means that each country has the technical and human resources needed to individually respond to local requirements, while under an overarching framework of service and quality standards. The Group's logistics structure, with international production and distribution, allows them to supply all of the countries where they are present, serving the product in a maximum of 48 hours, anywhere in the world. And by hiring local professionals, the company is able to adapt itself to the reality of each country, shaping their services to satisfy the needs of patients and creating jobs in the international market. PronoKal Group has an extensive international coordination team comprised of different specialists who help and advise the affiliates in order to implement the company's treatment methods and activities in each country, following a common set of criteria. This team is divided into different departments: 5
Our Methods We define our medical weight-loss treatments as "methods", as they comprise a complete programme which includes various professionals and which follows a specific methodology through a series of phases. The ultimate goal of this methodology is weight loss and long-term maintenance of the results, as well as to help the patient modify their habits and adopt a new, healthier lifestyle. All of our methods include products and services specifically aimed at addressing the needs of various pathologies patients may suffer, and are adapted to the particular characteristics of each country. Our methodology for tackling overweight and obesity is shown here: 6
Our Methods PronoKal Method The PronoKal Method is a personalised, medically-supervised weight loss programme based on the Protein Diet, the goal of which is to help the patient to lose weight and maintain the results over time. This is done through dietary re-education, the ongoing support of a multidisciplinary team and patient supervision and follow-up, even after the weight-loss goal has been achieved. This helps the patient to change their habits and begin to live a healthier lifestyle. Throughout the treatment process, the patient is supported by a complete multidisciplinary team which includes: dietitian-nutritionists, physical activity technicians, coaching experts (psychological support), and the doctor. The PronoKal Method has treated over 300,000 patients worldwide. The characteristics that set it apart from other programmes are the multidisciplinary approach, the use of the protein diet for weight loss under medical supervision, and the goal of dietary re-education and long-term patient follow-up. Multidisciplinary Approach: faced with an alarming worldwide increase in overweight and obesity, the scientific community has long been debating on the benefits of finding new, effective and safe solutions to put a stop to this epidemic. One of the areas in which a consensus has been reached is that multiple factors are responsible for promoting overweight and obesity: a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutritional habits, genetic reasons, etc. Doctors therefore agree that treatment must be considered from different angles, including medicine, nutrition, physical activity, etc. The Protein Diet under Medical Supervision: the effectiveness of the protein diet for weight loss has been proven in various submitted clinical trials. These studies show that, under medical supervision, this diet is safe for weight loss in obese patients. It has also been shown that with the protein diet, the patient loses more weight and less muscle mass than with a conventional low-calorie diet followed over the same period of time. Dietary Re-education and Patient Monitoring: the majority of patients who have followed a weightloss diet say that they stopped because it was monotonous, or because after time they slipped back into their old habits, with the resulting weight rebound. The only way to motivate the patient and to help them acquire new habits is by offering constant support, clear and easy-to-follow dietary guidelines and subsequent follow-up once the treatment is finished to help them maintain the weight lost. 7
Our Methods DiaproKal Method The DiaproKal Method was designed to treat overweight patients suffering from type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, i.e. diabesity. The DiaproKal Method is a personalised, medically-supervised weight-loss treatment based on the Protein Diet, divided into phases and prescribed and supervised by prescribing doctors, a team of specialised dietitian-nutritionists and physical activity and coaching experts. All of the professionals who accompany the patient during the treatment have been specially trained to identify and develop solutions for the needs of the diabese patient. The products included in the treatment include specific active components for improving the patient's metabolic profile, and the protocol conforms to international standards for the treatment of overweight diabetic patients, which recommend lifestyle modification through healthy dietary habits, specific guidelines for physical activity and psychological support for the patient throughout the treatment. Diabesity is a new term used in the health world to describe the condition of patients suffering from both diabetes and obesity. An increasing number of patients end up suffering from type 2 diabetes as a result of their obesity, and vice versa. The method of treating diabesity is based on two primary objectives: 1. Weight loss, in particular, waist circumference (WC) reduction 2. Lowering blood sugar levels Significant lifestyle changes are required in order to achieve these goals. This means following a proper diet and increasing the amount of physical activity with the support of a coach, who will help to give us the confidence to face this challenge successfully. 8
Research and Studies PronoKal Group, firm in their commitment to excellence and ongoing improvement, carries out extensive R&D activity in methods, products and services, from the research and development of new treatment methods and a more extensive line of products, to the development of new services in order to address the needs, demands and concerns of our patients. R&D in methods: o The primary commitment of PronoKal Group is to respond to the needs of doctors and patients in the treatment and prevention of overweight and obesity, adapting these solutions to different patient profiles. The company works with a medical team which is involved in continuous research and analysis of available scientific material with the aim of developing or improving the solutions offered by PronoKal Group. R&D in products: o PronoKal Group is continually working to develop new products and improve existing ones. o All PronoKal Group products are made with high quality raw materials (High Biological Value proteins): European Directive 96/8EC on foods intended for use in energyrestricted diets for weight reduction, states that products must contain a CI of at least 80% of the reference protein. PronoKal Group has gone beyond this requirement, ensuring 15 g of protein with a CI of 140% in their products and guaranteeing the ideal amount of amino acids to cover all of the body's requirements. o The Group s production and distribution processes are of the highest quality: PronoKal Group uses a sophisticated traceability system for all of their products, thus offering greater safety, quality and rigour, as well as a commitment to 48-hour product delivery. R&D in services: o All of the PronoKal Group's medical treatments include personalised attention from the various members of our multidisciplinary team, and we work continuously to improve these services with the aim of helping the patient reach their goals. o The company makes a commitment to excellence with the patient in the application of its protocols, with a Department of Excellence which oversees that this indeed takes place, from proper application of the method and product sales to ongoing training for all company employees and collaborators. 9
Research and Studies In addition to R&D, significant investment is made in our own research through scientific studies which prove the safety and effectiveness of our methods. More than 15 studies have been conducted to date, half of which have been published and presented in scientific forums. PronoKal Group Main Scientific Studies: ProKal Study: Open, prospective, randomised, controlled, single-centre clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the Protein Diet (PronoKal Method) vs. a balanced, low-calorie diet for weight loss in obese patients. DiaproKal Study: Open, prospective, randomised, controlled, multi-centre clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the Protein Diet (DiaproKal Method) vs. a low-calorie diet for obese, diabetic patients. Promesa I: Retrospective, observational, multi-centre, epidemiological study evaluating the effectiveness and the safety of using the PronoKal Method for weight loss in patients with overweight and obesity. Promesa II: Open, prospective, observational, multi-centre study, the main goals of which are to assess the effectiveness of the PronoKal Method for long-term weight maintenance, as well as short-term effectiveness, factors for abandoning the diet, poor response to the diet, problems, discomfort or malaise. Study in Mexican Adults: Comparison between the PronoKal Method and a low-calorie diet in adult Mexican patients. Diana Study: Epidemiological, prospective, observational, multi-centre study, the main goal of which is to describe the profile of patients with overweight and diabetes or prediabetes being treated with the DiaproKal Method. Proce-D: Prospective register of patients in weight-loss treatment with the DiaproKal Method. The aim is to assess capillary ketonaemia while following a Protein Diet (DiaproKal Method) for weight loss in diabetic and prediabetic patients. Systems Biology and Nutrition: Positive effects of a protein-rich ketogenic diet on patients with type 2 diabetes, from clinical evidence to the molecular basis. This study was published in the journal "Nutrition & Metabolism", and the main goal is to show the positive relation between ketosis and the ketogenic diet. Promet Study: International prospective register of patients undergoing weight-loss treatment with the Protein Diet (PronoKal Method). This study assesses weight loss and the evolution of factors related to overweight while following a Protein Diet (PronoKal Method). 10
Communication and Awareness PronoKal Group is mindful of the importance of raising both public awareness and doctors' understanding of the fight against obesity and overweight, and works to promote communication and awareness in the following two areas: Scientific: o Participation in local and international scientific congresses and activities, where the Group presents the results of their studies and offers conferences and talks to inform medical professionals of their advances in research. o Promotion of the Group's own scientific activities, such as meetings, training sessions, informal chats and conferences for health professionals. o Publication of articles in scientific magazines and journals. Social: o o o Promotion of social awareness campaigns on the problem of overweight and obesity, with public participation. Participation in campaigns organised by other associations for the general public, promoting the prevention of overweight and obesity and their related conditions. Ongoing communication through mass media of all of the Group's activities, research, results, surveys and other news. 11
CSR Activities PronoKal Group promotes and participates directly or indirectly in various health-related Corporate Social Responsibility activities: more specifically, access to proper nutrition and improved health habits and quality of life. Fundación PronoKal is a new organisation which began in 2010. Its activities include helping the community in nutrition-related areas, in addition to informing society and raising awareness of the importance of following a healthy, balanced diet in order to stay fit. These actions can be divided into two groups: activities for others, i.e. external responsibility, where the help is focused on addressing the needs of various groups of people; and internal responsibility, where the company organises and implements initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting healthy living habits and a better quality of life among their own employees. External Responsibility: Fundación PronoKal Fundación PronoKal is a non-profit organisation which participates in humanitarian projects. The primary social commitment of the Fundación is to promote access to proper and healthy nutrition to those for whom it is currently not available. Teamwork PronoKal Group also promotes social activities in which all of their workers can participate, with the aim of helping the neediest populations. An example is the remodelling of a shelter in Barcelona (Spain) with the motto: "Together we can make many dreams come true every day." 12
CSR Activities Internal Responsibility The social corporate responsibility of PronoKal Group is manifested not only in external projects, but also in actions which focus on the well-being and professional development of their employees. This internal commitment is fulfilled through three types of actions: Projects to promote the health of company employees, such as the "Committed" initiative, in which workers are offered different options to reach a healthy weight, stop smoking or do regular physical exercise, thus serving as an example of a healthy lifestyle to others. A complete ongoing training programme for all professionals involved in the company so that they may remain up-to-date on all of the treatment methods available. A coaching service for all employees, which helps the Group s professionals to find solutions to successfully carry out their individual and collective daily tasks. 13
About Us PronoKal Group is a Spanish multinational company created in 2004, specialised in the development and implementation of medical treatments for weight loss. Internationally present since 2009, the company is now located in 16 countries. Thanks to the company's logistics and sales structure, comprising independent affiliates in each country, they are able to provide personalised service adapted to the local needs of their patients. Their team is composed of local professionals from different disciplines, including doctors, dietitian-nutritionists, coaching experts, physical activity technicians, scientific collaborators and administrative personnel. PronoKal Group organises and participates in various activities that go beyond product and treatment development and sales, with the aim of effectively addressing overweight and obesity and fighting against this socio-health problem, which is on the rise worldwide. Among these undertakings are the Group's R&D activities, with a special view to scientific studies which aim to assess the tolerability, safety and effectiveness of their weight-loss programmes for different patient profiles. Ongoing training for the Group's professionals and collaborators is another cornerstone of the company. PronoKal Group's frequent participation in medical congresses and scientific forums, as well as the development of scientific and social activities are some of the other activities the company participates in to help raise social awareness and analyse scientific advances in the area of overweight and obesity. 14
Contact Information If you would like further information about PronoKal Group or any of our methods, please contact us at communication@pronokalgroup.com, or at: Cristina Prados / Àngels Garriga email: cristinaprados@puntaalta.es /angelsgarriga@puntaalta.es Tel. +34 93 517 76 09 Mobile: +34 671 065 157 / +34 667 596 182 We also invite you to visit our website, where you will find more information on the company and links to the PronoKal Method and DiaproKal websites: www.pronokalgroup.com Our communication specialists will respond to your request in the shortest time possible to provide you with any information you may need. 15