TECH NEEDS

Fermentation is one of the oldest technologies used in food processing, Traditionally, fermentation was used as a method of preserving food, as well as imparting unique flavor profiles, such as in products like soy sauce or tempeh. In recent years, driven by the demand for a more sustainable food production system, fermentation is also studied for its applications in breaking down organic matter from indigestible to digestible nutrition for human consumption, growing biomass from the microorganisms used in the process, or producing specific target compounds like protein, fat or other nutrients. With Singapore’s ’30 by 30’ goal to produce 30% of our nutritional needs locally and sustainably by 2030, fermentation technologies are primed to play a key role in the food industry. There is interest to seek out technology owners who have novel and proven fermentation technologies in the fields of alternative proteins, functional health or food side stream valorisation. The technologies can be in the form of: 1) Novel works on strains, feedstock or media for food fermentation 2) Process and infrastructure technologies to optimize yields and resource efficiency 3) Novel ingredients to discover new use cases from new product development trials These technologies should be available for technology collaborations. The modes of technology collaborations are: R&D collaboration, IP licensing and acquisition. Suitable technologies can be placed as Technology Offers on the IPI portal, subject to internal curation and review.  Fermentation, Bioprocessing, Precision Fermentation, Synthetic Biology, Food Waste, Valorisation, Side stream IP Acquisition, Licensing, R&D Collaboration Foods, Ingredients, Processes, Waste Management & Recycling, Food & Agriculture Waste Management, Sustainability, Food Security

Diabetic foot ulcer is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus and significant cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world and can be complex and costly. The development of foot ulcer in a diabetic patient has been estimated to be 19%-34% through their lifetime. The pathophysiology of diabetic foot ulcer consist of neuropathy, trauma and, in many patients, additional peripheral arterial disease. In particular, diabetic neuropathy leads to foot deformity, callus formation, and insensitivity to trauma or pressure. The management of DFU is usually complex and challenging to clinicians in clinical practice. The critical aspects of the wound healing mechanism and host physiological status in patients with diabetes necessitate the selection of an appropriate treatment strategy based on the complexity and type of wound. Additionally, costs of diabetic foot ulcerations have been increased to the treatment cost of many common cancers. Estimated costs of DFU management are greater than 1 billion in both developed and developing countries. Moreover, infection of a DFU frequently leads to limb amputation, causing significant morbidity, psychological distress and reduced quality of life and life expectancy.  We are seeking technology owners who have novel solutions that can offer alternatives and/or enhance traditional wound care practices such as debridement, offloading, moist wound care, treatment of infection, and revascularization of the ischemic limb. Example of such solutions include but are not limited to nonsurgical debridement agents, oxygen therapies, and negative pressure wound therapy, topical drugs, cellular bioproducts, human growth factors, energy-based therapies, and systematic therapies. We are also interested in deep learning solutions for the prediction, diagnostic assistance and prevention of ulcer formations.  Diabetes, Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Chronic Wound, Wound Care Business Collaboration (Joint Venture), Licensing, R&D Collaboration Electronics, Sensors & Instrumentation, Healthcare, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Telehealth, Medical Software & Imaging, Pharmaceuticals & Therapeutics

The increasing emphasis on fire safety regulations and standards, along with the growing awareness of the potential hazards posed by fires, has driven the demand for flame-retardant coatings. These coatings play important roles in fire protection by effectively slowing down the spreading of fires, thereby preventing catastrophic accidents, safeguarding assets, and saving lives. Industry segments such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, construction, and household, which extensively utilise materials prone to fire hazards, require effective fire protection solutions. As the demand for flame retardant coatings continues to rise across various sectors, the market is experiencing significant growth. According to MarketsandMarkets, the global flame retardants market is expected to be worth USD 9.5 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. Particularly, the Asia Pacific region is the fastest-growing market.   Traditional flame retardants, especially those containing brominate or chlorine, have been associated with their impacts on the environment and human health. Consequently, the demand for environmentally friendly coating solutions, such as nanocomposites and natural bio-based retardants, is growing at a rapid pace. However, the performance, efficiency, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness of these alternative materials are still hot topics of ongoing research. This tech need calls for non-toxic and innovative flame-retardant coatings capable of addressing the above challenges. Such coating solutions should be available for test-bedding, licensing, and co-development with industrial partners, paving the way for safer and more sustainable fire protection methods. We are seeking technology owners who have non-toxic and innovative coating solutions with proven flame-retardant properties. The desired technical performance of the fire-retardant coating includes: Completion of performance tests and verification in accordance with UL94 and/or ASTM D6413 standards Eco-friendly: solvent-free and water-based formulation Non-toxic to humans and the environment throughout production, application, usage, and disposal Transparent coating that does not change the colour, texture, or appearance of the substrate Customisable for various polymeric materials, such as wood, foams, textiles, plastics, etc. Excellent resistance and durability in tropical weather conditions (i.e. high temperature and humidity) Easy-to-apply: adaptable to industrial practices such as spray coating, dip coating, and brush painting Cost-effective for scaling up in Singapore and Southeast Asia markets Flame-Retardant, Coating, Non-Toxic, Polymeric Materials Licensing, R&D Collaboration Chemicals, Coatings & Paints