BANGALORE, May 3: Health care company Abbott today announced plans to establish its first nutrition research and development centre in the country in collaboration with contract research organisation Syngene.
The centre will focus on developing affordable nutrition products for the country and enable the expansion of Abbott’s nutrition product portfolio, according to a joint statement.
Abbott selected Syngene, a subsidiary of biotech firm Biocon, to provide a science-based research and innovation team to work closely with Abbott researchers, it said.
More than 50 researchers and scientists will be based at the AbbottNutrition R&D centre at Biocon Park here, expected to open next month.
It will focus on nutrition products for maternal and child nutrition and diabetes care.
The statement said preventing under-nutrition has emerged as one of the most critical health challenges in India.
“With malnutrition and common chronic diseases at their highest in this region, Abbott and Syngene have a common vision and commitment to support the development of a healthier India,” said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder, chairman and managing director, Biocon Group.
“The combined market insights and nutrition science expertise of our two organisations will enable us to address these immediate needs by developing critically important, innovative yet affordable nutrition products for the Indian population,” she added.
Among the products being developed for the Indian market are meal complements for diabetics and pre-diabetics. In addition, the centre will address local taste and texture preferences with new flavours and formulations. (PTI)