Singapore’s AMILI making inroads into Indonesia with localised gut health solutions

22-Aug-2023 - Last updated on 23-Aug-2023 at 07:12 GMT

Singapore-based BIO & ME aims to expand its footprint to other Asian markets, including Indonesia and Hong Kong. ©BIO & ME

Singapore-based precision gut microbiome company AMILI is aiming to expand its footprint regionally, on the back of recent funding and positive responses from the local market.

A consumer health brand under AMILI, BIO & ME debuted its range of supplements that contain the triad of gut health essentials — pre-, pro-, and postbiotics — last year.

Since then, it has garnered interest across the region, which the company believes is due to its “scientific rigour” behind its products. To date, the firm has established partnerships in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

“We are looking to grow deeper within each of these markets. The ASEAN region, including Indonesia, are important to us, and we are currently exploring various collaborations to help expand our reach within each country.

“Our recent funding, led by venture capital firm East Ventures, will drive our expansion into Indonesia, with emphasis on localised gut health solutions,” Clifford Chow, Vice President of Consumer Health and Communications at AMILI, told NutraIngredients-Asia.

In Singapore, BIO & ME has received positive feedback for alleviating common gut and digestive issues, such as bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.

While its best-seller is their formulation targeting the immune system, the company has noticed a rise in popularity for formulations targeting stress and fatigue, as consumers are increasingly looking at other aspects of health, including mental wellness and energy extraction.

Progress towards personalisation

For people seeking more in-depth exploration of their gut health, the Gut Health Test, whereby a stool sample is analysed to obtain insights on an individual’s gut microbiome composition.

The gut microbiome composition of the sample will be compared against a Asia-centric population database and analysed across four categories.

These are namely the gut-brain relationship, impact on gut, heart and liver health, efficiency of food metabolism and energy production, and other health aspects linked to the gut microbiome, such as antibiotic resistance.

Based on the findings, the individual will then receive dietary, lifestyle, and BIO & ME’s product recommendations.

“Our microbiome database may allow us to personalise recommendations for individuals. However, it is equally challenging to make a good product or service that deserves to win customers in a crowded market, and that is also affordable and commercially viable.

“We recognise that everyone’s nutritional needs are unique and the significant interest in personalised formulations. Hence, we are developing an even more bespoke and effective offering,” Chow shared.

In addition, he said that the upcoming product aims to address the lack of comprehensive solutions that target both gut health and overall well-being.

“We believe in a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of gut health with other aspects of wellness.”