AMILI’s recently launched reformulated probiotics contain prebiotics for enhanced benefits and target the four key health needs in Asia – digestion, immunity, mental health, and metabolism.
Probiotics Version 1.5 uses a synbiotic approach, which combines probiotics with prebiotics to maximise gut microbiome diversity and overall wellness.
The biotech firm specialises in gut microbiome solutions and has reformulated this range specifically for people living in Asia.
“We focus on people living in Asia rather than only those who are biologically Asians. The microbiome is shaped by diet, lifestyle, and environment. Someone from Denmark or Ghana, for example, who moves to Singapore will, over time, develop a microbiome that resembles those living here,” said AMILI CEO and co-founder Dr Jeremy Lim.
Lim also emphasised the importance of refining products based on the latest research and data, adding that AMILI’s access to extensive microbiome data allows the firm to continuously review its formulations and improve them based on the latest insights.
“In the pharmaceutical world, you create a product, run studies, and release it to the market, where it remains the same for 10 to 20 years. We don’t believe that makes sense in a field where knowledge is rapidly expanding,” Dr Lim explained.
He added that AMILI’s product update includes the incorporation of prebiotic fibres, particularly those of Asian origin.
“Think of probiotics as a high-performance supercar – it needs the right fuel to run optimally. If you put the wrong fuel in, the car won’t function as intended. Prebiotics act as the ideal fuel for probiotics.
“That was our guiding principle. We deliberately selected prebiotics sourced from Asia because this is where we operate. Our research shows that these prebiotics are more suitable for people living in this region,” said Dr Lim.
Key health needs in Asia
Apart from the addition of prebiotics, Probiotics 1.5 now has four different blends to cater to various health concerns.
The first formulation targets metabolic health, addressing Asia’s high prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The second formulation supports immune function and metabolic regulation.
The third formulation addresses mental health – a rising concern in the region. It is designed to support overall brain, cognitive, and emotional health, which can lead to an improvement in mental clarity, mood, and stress resilience.
The fourth formulation improves digestion by enhancing microbiota diversity and gut resilience. It supports nutrient absorption and strengthens digestive health, leading to overall wellbeing.
To ensure efficacy, the firm invests in packaging practices that will preserve the integrity of the products as best as possible.
Practicality over aesthetics
AMILI prioritises efficacy over aesthetics. For example, it uses amber glass bottles for its probiotics instead of plastic or clear glass, citing scientific reasons behind this choice.
“If you look at our products, they come in glass amber-coloured bottles, which might remind you of cough syrup from childhood visits to the doctor. While it may not be the most attractive packaging, there’s solid science behind it.
“Glass is impermeable to moisture and air, which is crucial because probiotics don’t tolerate oxygen well. In our gut, there’s no oxygen – probiotics are anaerobes.
“Plastic, while less expensive and is more versatile in shape, allows moisture and air to seep in, which isn’t ideal for preserving probiotics. We could have also used clear glass, but it allows UV light to pass through, which can damage probiotics. Amber glass prevents this, which is why traditional cough syrups use similar packaging,” explained Dr Lim.
Additionally, each bottle goes through a nitrogen flash process.
This step removes residual oxygen inside the bottle before sealing, preventing probiotics from degrading over time. Without this, a product starting with 20 billion CFUs, for example, could gradually lose its potency as oxygen levels inside the bottle cause the probiotics to deteriorate.
Beyond product development, AMILI has also entered a notable partnership with life insurance firm Manulife, which has incorporated AMILI’s probiotics into a wellness initiative for select policyholders.
Under this collaboration, customers undergo microbiome testing and receive personalised gut health recommendations, including probiotic supplementation, to enhance overall well-being.
“This is our first time moving beyond a B2B2C model. Typically, we work through healthcare professionals who explain everything to patients. With Manulife, we are going directly to consumers, which is a new approach for us. We’ll need to learn and adapt as we go,” said Dr Lim.
