In a groundbreaking move, Unity and AMILI have joined forces to launch a synbiotic product, AMILI Metabolic Health, tailored for Asian metabolic health. This collaboration, set to be exclusively available at Unity outlets from September 2026, is a testament to the growing recognition of the unique needs of Asian gut microbiomes.
The product's formulation is a result of extensive research utilizing data from Singapore's National University Hospital (NUH) and AMILI's Asian Microbiome Library. This data-driven approach ensures that the synbiotic is specifically designed for Asian populations, addressing a critical gap in the market.
"An Asian gut is distinct, shaped by our diets, lifestyles, and environment. Solutions rooted in Asian data are essential, and we're proud to contribute to the health of our community," said Dr. Jeremy Lim, AMILI's co-founder and CEO.
The synbiotic's key feature is its focus on metabolic health, a pressing concern among Asians. With obesity and overweight thresholds lower for Asians compared to Western populations, as recognized by the WHO, this product aims to address a specific need.
"Metabolic health is a critical challenge in Asia, and we believe there's a unique opportunity to develop products tailored to Asian populations. Our collaboration with NUH has allowed us to address this need," Dr. Lim added.
The R&D process involved comparing microbiome data from healthy individuals and patients, identifying beneficial strains for metabolic health, and using an AI model to optimize the formulation. The final product contains four probiotic strains, a postbiotic, prebiotic fiber, and botanical extracts, each carefully selected for their metabolic health benefits.
"We took a functional pathway approach, studying the microbes and their interactions to identify the most beneficial strains. The AI model helped us fine-tune the formulation, ensuring optimal doses and proportions," Dr. Lim explained.
The product's validation against NUH's patient cohort and AMILI's functional microbiota assay further underscores its potential to support metabolic health in Asian populations.
"Metabolic and fatty liver conditions are on the rise in Singapore, and understanding the gut microbiome's role is crucial. Collaborations like this one deepen our knowledge and contribute to developing new approaches for Asian metabolic health," said Associate Professor Dan Yock Young, a senior consultant at NUH's National University Centre for Digestive Health.
With metabolic health concerns prevalent in Singapore, this collaboration between Unity and AMILI offers a promising solution, combining clinical insights and microbiome science to address a critical health challenge.
