David Beckham is ‘strategic investor’ in Hong Kong’s Prenetics to set up IM8 health brand

David Beckham has become a shareholder of Prenetics, as the English former footballer and businessman makes a “strategic” investment to co-launch a health and wellness brand called IM8 with the Hong Kong genetic profiling services provider.

IM8 will focus on “cutting-edge” consumer health products, the Nasdaq-listed Prenetics said in a statement, without divulging the financial details of Beckham’s investment. Details of IM8’s products will be announced at an unspecified date later, the company said.

“Throughout my life and career, I’ve been fortunate to have access to the best medical professionals, nutrition experts, and fitness coaches. Their guidance has been crucial to my health and well-being,” Beckham said in a statement. “I am excited to be partnering with Prenetics – a company that is dedicated to innovative, best-in-class scientific advancements in health.”

The partnership marks a “transformative era” for Prenetics in global health innovation and wellness, said the company’s co-founder and chief executive Danny Yeung, adding that Beckham’s display of discipline, teamwork, and health are aligned with Prenetics’ core principles.

Prenetics said Beckham has met with its shareholder Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, director of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and professor of chemical pathology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

“This meeting highlighted the significant potential of Prenetics’ innovations to impact global health and longevity,” Prenetics said.