The French Trade Commission Ubifrance in Singapore had the pleasure of hosting a delegation of four French companies during the French Medical Days on 12 and 13 September 2011. The professional event showcased four French companies, proposing innovative medical devices and solutions, each a specialist in its domain. Through a seminar, pre-organised individual B2B meetings and a networking dinner, the French companies had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the local authorities and trade association as well as potential local distributors and clients. The participants appreciated the comfortable size of the delegation as it facilitated exchanges and communication between the participants, thus enabling each of them to fully benefit from the sessions. Discussions are on-going following the individual B2B meetings between the French and local companies and we are confident that these will be fruitful. After an enriching and positive experience in Singapore, the French companies moved on to Bangkok in the next leg of the French Medical Days to spend two similarly interesting days in the Thai capital. Following the success of French Medical Days 2011, we look forward to replicating the event in the coming years.  

Danone Baby Nutrition, a leader in baby and child nutrition, has opened a Research Centre for Specialised Nutrition. Danone will be investing some S$70 million over the next five years in the specialised R&D centre at the Singapore Biopolis Research Park. Situated at the Biopolis, Danone’s Asia Pacific hub for research and innovation would be able to benefit from the synergies between Singapore’s world-class biomedical research capabilities and access scientific insights in Asia Pacific. The Danone Research Centre for Specialised Nutrition, focusing on child and maternal health, especially the impact of nutrition on gut bacteria, immune system and the overall growth and development of babies and children to ensure a healthy start in life, is the first of its kind in Asia Pacific. Over 20 scientists at the new research centre are directly connected to the more than 50 Danone Baby Nutrition development experts in the Asia Pacific region. The team has completed four clinical studies and is in the midst of carrying out another three. It expects to start on at least five other clinical studies in the region this year. The centre is targeting to have a team of 50 scientists based in Singapore in the next five years.