In a groundbreaking move, Unity and AMILI have joined forces to launch a synbiotic product, AMILI Metabolic Health, tailored to Asian gut microbiomes. This collaboration aims to address metabolic health challenges prevalent among Asian populations. The product, formulated using data from Singapore's National University Hospital and AMILI's Asian Microbiome Library, underscores the importance of culturally specific solutions. Dr. Jeremy Lim, AMILI's co-founder and CEO, emphasizes the distinct nature of Asian gut microbiomes, influenced by diet, lifestyle, and environment.
"An Asian gut is not the same as a Western one. The microbes are primarily driven by our diets, lifestyles and environment, which is why solutions built on Asian data matter. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the health of our fellow Singaporeans through this effort," said Dr Jeremy Lim, co-founder and CEO at AMILI.
Pauline Png, general manager at Unity, highlights the Asian-specificity of the formulation, noting it as a first-of-its-kind offering across Unity's retail channels. While microbiome supplements are familiar to consumers, the benefits of synbiotics for metabolic health remain less understood. Unity, with its extensive pharmacy network, is working to bridge this knowledge gap.
"We are excited to partner with AMILI as this allows us to bring trusted, science-based Asian microbiome data for metabolic health closer to the community," said Png.
The R&D process involved comparing and analyzing microbiome data from healthy individuals and patients. Dr. Lim explains their functional pathway approach, studying the microbes and their interactions to identify beneficial strains for metabolic health. The AMILI team formulated a synbiotic containing specific probiotic strains, prebiotic fiber, and botanical extracts, each targeting different metabolic health markers.
For instance, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was chosen to improve fasting blood glucose and liver function, while Akkermansia was selected to enhance insulin sensitivity and improve total cholesterol and body composition. An AI model determined the optimal doses and proportions of these strains. The formulation was validated against NUS's patient cohort, with primary objectives focused on glycemic, lipid, and hepatic endpoints.
The choice to focus on metabolic health in the R&D process was strategic. As Dr. Lim points out, metabolic health is a significant challenge for Asians, and there's a need for products tailored to their specific needs. The World Health Organization recognizes that BMI thresholds for obesity and overweight are lower for Asians compared to Western populations. This means that two individuals with the same weight and height may face different clinical interventions based on their ethnicity.
Singapore, in particular, faces a rising prevalence of metabolic and fatty liver conditions, with diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia being common health concerns. According to Singapore's Ministry of Health, the proportion of residents with obesity has increased from 10.5% in 2019-2020 to 12.7% in 2023-2024. Around one in three residents live with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Associate Professor Dan Yock Young, a senior consultant at the National University Centre for Digestive Health, emphasizes the importance of collaborations like this. He believes that combining clinical insights from Singaporean patients with microbiome science can deepen our understanding of gut microbiome's influence on health and disease, ultimately contributing to new approaches to support metabolic health in Asian populations.
In my opinion, this collaboration between Unity and AMILI is a significant step forward in personalized healthcare. By leveraging Asian-specific microbiome data, they are addressing a critical health challenge in a culturally sensitive manner. The product's formulation, validated through rigorous scientific processes, offers a promising solution for metabolic health. It's fascinating to see how AI is being utilized to optimize probiotic strains, and I believe this collaboration has the potential to set a new standard in the industry.
