Product development
Bespoke supplement NPD from 1,000 units
Formulation, ingredient sourcing, flavour and texture work, claims feasibility, and Novel Foods review. NPD at Nootro is a structured, paid project, not a free pitch deck. From brief to costed production path in 4 to 8 weeks for most formulations.
What's included
Formulation, sourcing, and flavour work
NPD at Nootro is a structured, paid process, not a free pitch deck. We scope feasibility, develop the formula against your target claims and sensory profile, source compliant ingredients from vetted suppliers, and prototype until the sample is right.
A typical NPD project runs 4 to 8 weeks. For gummies (flavour-heavy iteration) and liquids (stability-heavy testing) we often run 6 to 10 weeks. You leave NPD with a documented formulation, full product specification, sampling batches at production scale, stability data, Novel Foods status review, claims feasibility review, and a costed path to production.
We formulate across all four of our production formats. Capsules, gummies, powders, liquids. We'll often recommend a format switch during NPD if your active load or target consumer fits better elsewhere.
- Formulation and reformulation (existing products welcome)
- Ingredient sourcing from vetted global suppliers
- Flavour, sweetener, and texture development
- Prototype sampling batches at production scale
- Full product specification, COAs, and costing
- Novel Foods status review for compliance-sensitive actives
Timeline and cost
Quoted as a project, not hidden in unit cost
NPD is quoted per project, scoped on complexity. Simple reformulations sit in the low four figures. Ground-up formulations with flavour iteration and stability work sit higher. We quote NPD separately from production so the cost is transparent. There is no 'free NPD, hidden in the unit cost' model here.
Most projects move from signed brief to first sampling round in 3 to 4 weeks. Sampling typically runs 1 to 3 rounds depending on sensory and stability targets. Once the formulation is locked, you have a documented spec, a costed production quote, and a timeline you can plan a launch around.
For brands with an existing product looking to switch manufacturer, reformulation NPD is faster (typically 2 to 4 weeks) because the target sensory and claims profile is already proven in market.
- Feasibility and indicative cost within 5 working days of brief
- Sampling at production scale, not lab-only
- 1 to 3 sampling rounds typical
- Costed production quote on formulation sign-off
- Reformulation pathway for brands switching manufacturer
Why bespoke
Generic formulas don't differentiate
White-label and private-label routes skip NPD by giving you a formula the manufacturer already holds. Faster to launch, cheaper upfront, but you don't own the formulation, you can't tell a defensible product story to a retail buyer, and your competitor next door may be selling the same blend under their label.
Bespoke NPD costs more upfront and takes longer. In return you own the formulation IP, you can tune the product to your buyer and your positioning, and you have a story that holds up in a pharmacy or grocery first-call meeting. Over a 12 to 24 month launch arc, bespoke usually wins on total brand economics, not just product quality.
- You own the formulation IP after NPD
- Product tuned to your buyer, positioning, and price point
- Defensible story for retail buyer conversations
- Scales from 1,000-unit launch batches to 500k+ monthly volumes
NPD output capability
What you get and how long it takes.
Product development FAQs
Common questions from brand founders scoping NPD.
What does your NPD process cost?
NPD is quoted per project, scoped on complexity. Simple reformulations sit in the low four figures. Ground-up formulations with flavour iteration and stability work sit higher. We quote NPD separately from production so the cost is transparent.
How long does NPD take?
4 to 8 weeks for most formulations. Gummies and liquids often run 6 to 10 weeks because flavour and stability iteration take longer. Reformulations of existing in-market products typically run 2 to 4 weeks.
Who owns the formulation IP after NPD?
You do, in writing, where commercially agreed. This is a deliberate part of our bespoke model: you can take the formula elsewhere if you ever need to. White-label and private-label routes typically retain IP with the manufacturer.
Do you offer 'free NPD'?
No. Free NPD is never free, the cost is hidden in a per-unit markup you're locked into for the life of the product. We quote NPD as a separate, paid project so the cost is transparent.
Can I bring an existing formulation?
Yes. Reformulation projects are common, brands switching manufacturer or improving an existing product. We assess the formula, recommend any changes for stability, sourcing, or claims, and re-quote.
Do you handle Novel Foods regulatory work?
We hold multiple Novel Foods dossiers and check status for every formulation at NPD feasibility. If your product is in scope of our dossiers, we manufacture under our authorisation. If not, we flag the regulatory path upfront.
What's in the documentation pack at the end of NPD?
Full product specification, sampling batch records, stability data, Novel Foods status review, claims feasibility review, ingredient COAs, and a costed production quote.
Ready to start your formulation?
Bring us a brief, an existing product, or just a target market and active load. We'll come back with feasibility, indicative cost, and a costed NPD pathway.
Related
Related: our full contract manufacturing services, our Novel Foods capability, and why we're bespoke-only.