Kyowa Hakko Bio to advance HMOs R&D alongside Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research
16 Jan 2024 --- The Japanese biotechnology and nutritional solutions company Kyowa Hakko Bio will partner with the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to research the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) found in breast milk known to be vital to infant health and growth.
“Our partnership with A*STAR marks an exciting chapter in our ongoing commitment to exploring the benefits of HMOs. We believe that this collaboration will yield valuable insights that can benefit people of all ages,” says Dr. Eri Nakazaki, senior scientist and manager of corporate strategy at Kyowa Hakko Bio.
Researchers at Kyowa Hakko Bio and A*STAR’s SICS will conduct studies investigating the properties of HMOs.“We are excited to work alongside Kyowa Hakko Bio in this pioneering research endeavor. Together, we aim to deepen our understanding of HMOs and their potential applications, ultimately contributing to advancements in healthcare and nutrition,” adds professor Jeroen Schmia, senior principal investigator at A*STAR’s Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS).
Kyowa Hakko Bio highlights the novel benefits of HMOs, such as facilitating a healthy gut through the stimulation of beneficial bacteria and supporting the immune system, as key objectives of the partnership.
The importance of HMOs R&D
HMOs are complex carbohydrates essential for the development of infants, which are only found in human breast milk.
Kyowa Hakko Bio is already involved in exploring these compounds and their potential for future implications to improve human health across the lifespan. The company recently received authorization to sell three HMOs in the US.
Researchers at A*STAR’s SICS will begin working closely with Kyowa Hakko Bio’s biotechnology and nutrition team on joint studies into HMOs’ health and well-being properties.
The health and nutrition benefits of HMOs are increasingly being recognized, as last month the EU granted market access to dsm-firmenich’s 3-FL HMO food ingredient product, which the company highlights as being able to facilitate infant milk formula as close to human milk as possible.
Earlier, China’s food governing bodies gave the green light to FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ formula range with HMOs, promising to ensure proper gut functioning and facilitate healthy growth.
Kyowa Hakko Bio’s R&D endeavors are not limited to HMOs — the company recently introduced a scientifically tested postbiotic strain to combat visual fatigue and support overall eye health.
Moreover, the company’s research team looks into pro- and prebiotics to unravel new insights into how the gut supports holistic well-being.
By Milana Nikolova
