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Gaining true insight in South East Asia

Finding the right market opportunity requires careful research to find key insights into the particular needs of the markets targeted. This is a critical part of the market entry process. To support New Zealand exporters, a workshop with A*STAR was held with scientists and researchers discussing clinical trial design, particularly around skin research and the types of screening assays that could be used to get those key insights.  

 

This process is vital to get right to ensure that New Zealand ingredients and products are safe and that the proper nutritional health benefits are translated into novel products for commercialisation. Nuku and Steppingstones (Singapore) are developing 'Nuku Lab' to provide a focused platform for NZ businesses looking to launch their products in South East Asia markets. See below for the details and the business case. 

Skin Care

Summary of Insights from the Nuku workshop with A*Star

 

  • A*STAR has a Biotransformation Innovation platform with laboratory capabilities, including a natural product library, taste receptor assays, and metabolic engineering.

  • The A*STAR expert panel for novel foods holds cross-collaborative discussions with FSANZ, Health Canada, and others to help define novel foods.

  • Engaging regulators when developing novel products or using new ingredients is vital. Consumers do not want animal testing, which is leading to global changes in regulations. Cosmetic testing rules affect food testing rules.

  • A*STAR tests, on behalf of the Singapore Food Safety Agency, to predict potential allergenic issues.

  • The 30 by 30 programme, with Singapore planning to produce 30% of its food by 2030, provides new opportunities for New Zealand food companies. Currently, Singapore imports 90% of all its food needs.  

  • Singapore has no branded food database, meaning many different foods are imported with diverse labelling standards.

  • Researchers from A*STAR Clinical Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC) highlighted the differences in Asian metabolic phenotypes (Malay vs. Chinese vs. Indian), as well as Thin on the Outside Fat on the Inside (TOFI), which can be due to a lipid overspill into the organs. The CNRC’s research can help target and design products for certain ethnicities.

  • More than a third of Singapore children suffer from eczema. Poor nutrition is a key factor, but the population has a research gap around nutrition and skin.

  • Singapore does not have dietetics training. Dieticians must train in Australia, the UK, the US, or NZ.

  • Rosacea and acne are a big concern in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Acne is unusually severe, and alternative treatments to antibiotics are popular.

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​The business case for NZ's own NutritionLab in Singapore

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Nuku ki te Puku ("NUKU") and Steppingstone (Singapore) evaluated the requirements for developing a NZ-focused market research and trial platform based in Singapore to help NZ businesses better capture the high-value nutritional markets in South East Asia. 

 

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