A Look At Two Of The 2021 Cartier Women's Initiative Laureates

A look at two of the 2021 Cartier Women’s Initiative laureates and the meaningful work that they do.

- Adora Wong

Corina Huang

Her company Boncha Boncha manufactures candy-like supplements that are easy to swallow and allow for higher absorption of nutrients.

The seeds of Corina’s business idea first took root when she noticed that her grandmother had trouble swallowing pills. And it grew when she realised that it was actually a widespread problem. Known as pill-related dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), this condition affects as many as one in two people. “The pills get stuck in people’s throats, so millions of them just skip getting the nutrients that they need,” says the 39-year-old Taiwanese.

But you’d be mistaken if you think opening capsules or halving tablets is a solution to the problem – doing so affects the efficacy of the supplements and/or medication. Corina had to think hard to come up with a better solution.

She decided to use her experience in running a confectionery business to start Boncha Boncha in 2015. Based in Taiwan, the company manufactures “candyceuticals”: candy-like supplements that are not only easy to swallow, but also have higher bioavailability, which is what allows for easier absorption of nutrients. A candyceutical contains two parts – a chewy shell and filling – and is currently available in three forms: chewy candy, hard candy, and bubble gum.