Health and Well-Being

To address the challenges in chewing and swallowing faced by the elderly and other special care groups such as stroke patients, researchers from a Thai university have developed ready-to-eat wholemeal purees that serve as an all-in-one meal support. Suitable for those on an IDDSI Level 4 diet, it is designed as a healthy, special care food to provide high nutritional values and energy and to aid health rehabilitation and recovery. In addition to patients with dysphagia, this puree is also suitable for health-conscious consumers.  The team is seeking partners to bring the product to commercialisation and obtain certification according to global standards. They are also open to further develop and customise new products.

This technology offer features a natural remedy for scar reduction. The formulation integrates 15% shallot (Allium ascalonicum) extract and 0.01% quercetin, both well-known for their antioxidant potency and anti-wrinkle effects. These active ingredients are also known for their scar treatment properties. This formulation is positioned as an innovative alternative for individuals afflicted with elevated scars arising from surgical interventions, acne, or various traumatic injuries.  The shallot extract is obtained by employing environmentally conscious solvents alongside an ultrasonic extraction technique that is simpler and more efficient than conventional processes. Further elevating its efficacy, the encapsulation of pivotal quercetin within nanotechnology constructs facilitates heightened skin absorption. 

Eggs are a widely popular protein source, however, egg production requires a significant amount of natural resources. Hence, this technology aims to substitute chicken eggs with plant-based alternatives, which would lead to a reduced environmental impact. Rice bran is the hard outer layer of rice, a byproduct of the rice milling process which is pressed for oil and then discarded. Using rice bran as a source of protein reduces waste and increases resource efficiency, making it a strong potential candidate as an alternative protein source to be produced in Thailand, which is the 6th largest rice producer according to the FAO. This product is high in protein (comparable to chicken eggs), which is hydrolyzed to increase bioavailability, and does not contain cholesterol and saturated fat. It is fit for health and fitness enthusiasts, vegetarians, flexitarians and people with an egg allergy.

Probiotic bacteria play a pivotal role in stimulating T cell-dependent immune responses, offering protection against bacterial infections, and addressing various gut-related conditions resulting in the healthy gut health. This technology features specially designed formulations using meticulously selected microbial probiotic strains with exceptional attributes and natural bioactive compounds with prebiotic and functional properties to enhance gut health and bolster immune support. In particular, the formulations feature a functional, prebiotic ingredient that promotes beneficial gut bacteria and prepared from mulberry through a patent-pending process.  With a team of specialists capable of customising probiotic functions to specific needs, they are able to select, isolate and culture advanced probiotic strains, as well as conduct pharmacological activities for functional claims. Depending on customers’ needs, e.g. facilitating growth of gut beneficial microorganisms, prevent infections, or reduce inflammation in the digestive system, the team can customise the blend of ingredients. 

Within one’s body, approximately 100 trillion microorganisms, mainly bacteria, coexist. Surprisingly, these microorganisms outnumber the number of cells in the body by a staggering 300-fold. These tiny inhabitants play a crucial role, producing both beneficial and harmful metabolites that your body cannot generate. Essentially, they function as a concealed vital organ within you. Research indicates that the majority of these microorganisms, about 95%, reside in your gut, where they exert a significant influence on approximately 70% of your immune system and are closely linked to the development of 90% of non-communicable diseases. Consequently, the gut microbiome stands as one of the most remarkable scientific discoveries of the past decade. Unlocking the secrets of one's unique gut microbiome composition holds a key to health monitoring, predicting medication effectiveness, and tailoring treatments. Notably, the gut microbiome closely correlates with dietary and lifestyle choices and can be modulated to prevent health issues rather than merely correcting them. However, the lack of comprehensive knowledge and databases in Southeast Asia represents a significant gap in this field. Bridging this gap promises to yield invaluable insights and drive future healthcare breakthroughs.

Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, responsible for 74% of deaths worldwide. It is predicted that, by 2060, total deaths of NCDs per capita will increase by 52%, while those of communicable diseases decline. However, more than half of the deaths are preventable with lifestyle adjustments. Personalised healthcare and wellness have the potential to help people live longer, healthier lives, and to reduce the burden of chronic diseases. As technology advances, drawing connections between genetic data and personal insights is becoming more  prevalent. The use of genetic data ranges from lifestyle change and intervention to disease prevention. This Thai startup offers a biointelligence platform, founded to equip health professionals with comprehensive genetic information regarding patients’ or users’ predisposition to serious disease risks, which could be prevented or detected earlier. Together with an enabler platform for personalised health and wellness journey, they are able to provide tailored solutions for improved health and wellness, starting with the use of genetic data. The technology owner is seeking partners in Singapore, such as supplement manufacturers, wellness clinics, and wellness tourism, to co-develop personalised solutions that integrate the use of genetic data to help people live longer and healthier lives.

Biomarkers are biomolecules and/or physical characteristics found in the body that give a clear picture of a person’s health and fitness. Currently, the golden standard of biomarker testing is through blood tests. However, this method is invasive as it involves drawing blood with a needle. Additionally, blood tests are neither real-time nor continuous which means there is significant delay between testing and receiving results. Such problems can be solved through this invention as this method involves sensing biomarkers within sweat through a skin patch, eschewing the need for needles. Furthermore, the biomarker data can be instantly transmitted to a smartphone application which allows users to continuously monitor their data in a convenient manner.  This technology would be relevant in numerous industries such as sports fitness, beauty, and medical diagnostics; thus, attracting sizable demand for it where there is an unmet need for convenient, accurate and real time detection of accurate biomarkers.

Histopathology is a cornerstone of modern medicine, providing crucial information that enables doctors to formulate optimal treatment strategies before, during, and after surgeries. However, current methods for obtaining histological images grapple with a compromise between speed and accuracy and suffer from organ-dependent inconsistencies. Addressing these challenges, our technology was developed as a versatile solution to cater to a wide array of clinical scenarios. It sets a new benchmark for medical standards with its rapid, precise, and label-free on-the-spot imaging capability. Computation High-throughput Autofluorescence Microscopy by Pattern Illumination is a one-of-a-kind patented solution n that can detect and provide instant information about cancer status before, during, and after surgeries. This technology lets surgeons place fresh tissue samples taken directly from the patient into the microscope and receive high-resolution and virtually stained histological images in just three minutes. The primary adopters of this technology are expected to be healthcare organizations, hospitals, and research institutions, or any entity involved in histopathology, cancer diagnosis, and surgery. This technology fills a crucial void in the market by providing swift, high-resolution, label-free imaging of thick tissue samples, an achievement previously unattainable. Consequently, this technology not only accelerates the diagnostic process but also enhances its precision, revolutionizing the field of histopathology

Along with the global aging population, the number of people with dementia is also increasing. Moreover, digitalization of society is isolating elderly people. Enjoyable learning using digital devices can be the solution. The product is in the form of a table with a touch screen on the surface. The embedded software is connected to the contents server, which provides various programs such as visual perception and cognitive tests, videos, trainings, and analysis results. They prevent brain aging by stimulating both the left and right brains. The product is beneficial to children as well. The rich educational contents are designed to develop the problem solving ability and the metacognitive ability. The training course includes solid figures, basic Korean, mathematics, and adages etc. Analysis results are also provided to compensate for a vulnerable subject. In addition, safety education and news from local education offices are provided in conjunction with the government.