Kyowa Hakko Bio Partners with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to Study Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)

[Tokyo, Japan] – January 16, 2024. – Kyowa Hakko Bio, a global leader in biotechnology and nutritional solutions, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to advance research on Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), a crucial component of human breast milk.

HMOs are complex carbohydrates found exclusively in human breast milk known to play a significant role in infant health and development. Kyowa Hakko Bio has been at the forefront of HMO research and development, and this partnership with A*STAR will enhance our understanding of these essential compounds and explore their potential applications, including the promotion of a healthy gut microbiome and immune system.

As part of this collaboration, researchers from A*STAR’s Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) will work closely with Kyowa Hakko Bio's biotechnology and nutrition team. Leveraging SICS' extensive expertise in unravelling factors that impact human health across lifespan, the two teams will jointly undertake cutting-edge studies aimed at unlocking the full potential of HMOs in promoting health and well-being.

Key objectives of the collaboration include uncovering the potential benefits of HMOs, such as promoting gut health through the growth of good bacteria in the gut and supporting immune regulation.

Dr. Eri Nakazaki, Senior Scientist and Manager of Corporate Strategy Department at Kyowa Hakko Bio, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration, saying, "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."

Prof Jeroen Schmitt, Senior Principal Investigator at A*STAR’s SICS added, "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."

This collaboration exemplifies Kyowa Hakko Bio's dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and improving human health through innovative research and development initiatives.

About Kirin Holdings

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is an international company that operates in the Food & Beverages domain (Food & Beverages businesses), Pharmaceuticals domain (Pharmaceuticals businesses), and Health Science domain (Health Science business), both in Japan and across the globe.

Kirin Holdings can trace its roots to Japan Brewery which was established in 1885. Japan Brewery became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, the company expanded its business with fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s, all of which continue to be global growth centers. In 2007, Kirin Holdings was established as a pure holding company and is currently focusing on boosting its Health Science domain.

Under the Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, the Kirin Group aims to become A global leader in CSV*, creating value across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals. Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create both social and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate value.

* Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.

About Kyowa Hakko Bio

Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd., an international health ingredients manufacturer and world leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and food & beverage products. Kyowa is the maker of branded ingredients, including IMMUSE™ LC-Plasma, Eyemuse™ Lacticaseibacillus paracasei KW3110, Cognizin® Citicoline, Pantesin® Pantethine, Setria® Glutathione, as well as L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine. For more information, visit KYOWA HAKKO BIO CO.,LTD. (kyowahakko-bio.co.jp).

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