Danone opens new gut health research hub in Shanghai

Danone inaugurated a state‑of‑the‑art research and innovation center in Shanghai focused on gut microbiome science, healthspan extension, and early‑life nutrition. The facility will drive product development targeting consumer health needs across Asia and beyond.

Danone inaugurated a state-of-the-art research and innovation center in Shanghai focused on gut microbiome science, healthspan extension, and early-life nutrition. The facility will drive product development targeting consumer health needs across Asia and beyond. The new center, spanning 5,200 square metres, was officially launched on November 2. It houses the 900 square metre Danone OneBiome Lab dedicated to microbiome research, which is the company's third such facility after Paris-Saclay and Singapore. The lab is equipped with technical capabilities such as bacterial DNA extraction and analysis to deliver a precise understanding of gut microbiome profiles. Isabelle Esser, chief research, innovation, quality and food safety officer, stated that Danone is especially interested in integrating its understanding of the gut microbiome with nutritional solutions for healthy longevity, health span, and early life. She noted that gut profiles differ among individuals depending on age, health status, environment, and lifestyle, and that the gut microbiome is closely linked to immunity and metabolism. Esser added that the gut microbiome is basically being changed with all life events – illness, stress, sleep, and diet – and the question then is how to rebalance, restore, or maintain a healthy microbiome. Three years ago, Danone set up an innovation center with Qingdao University focusing on the gut microbiome and different life stages. The company's healthy aging products launched in recent years include Ganmai, consisting of products to be taken at different times of the day, including a probiotic fiber powder drink for gut and immune health. Esser noted that China is very much at the forefront of health and health span, and that maintaining health in the golden years is culturally very embedded. The new R&I center will also build on Danone's existing research on early life nutrition in China, focusing on topics such as breast milk composition and how infant formula composition influences the infant gut, to provide nutritional solutions that closely mimic human breast milk. Esser stated that the research is about getting closer and closer to breast milk to give infants the best chance to grow healthily. Aptamil, Danone's infant formula brand, is one of the leading infant formula brands in China, alongside local brand Feihe. Through the new R&I center, the company hopes to identify the next generation of potential innovation opportunities in early life nutrition. Taous Lassel, VP, Research & Innovation Asia-Pacific and China, Global R&I Digital & AI, said the company would like to define what else it could do and what things it would need to study better to understand where the next generation of potential innovation is that could help keep the ability to be as close as possible to breast milk, knowing that this is the best thing that could be offered for babies. Aside from the OneBiome Lab, the new R&I center in Shanghai also includes a 300 square metre science experience and consumer engagement hub, as well as a 700 square metre pilot plant. The consumer engagement hub is designed to help the company better understand consumer needs and transform them into new product development ideas, including new nutritional products and packaging ideas. The center can also conduct sensory testing, prototyping, and developing digital health tech services so as to integrate different dimensions of the R&D functions. Examples of digital health tools that Danone has developed include a stool tracker, iron tracker, and growth tracker developed in Singapore.

Read source: Food Navigator