TECH NEED

Seeking Solutions to Support Cognitive Health Through Functional Food

KEY INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY CATEGORY:

Foods - Ingredients
Foods - Processes

TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL (TRL):

TRL4 to TRL9

LOCATION:

Singapore

ID NUMBER:

TN174503

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Desired Technology Readiness

TRL	Physical Sciences & Engineering	Healthcare (Pharmaceutical)	Healthcare(Medtech)	Healthcare(Diagnostics)	Simplified
1	Basic principles observed	Basic principles observed	Basic principles observed	Basic principles observed	Proof-of-Concept
2	Technology concept formulated	Technology concept formulated	Technology concept formulated	Technology concept formulated	Proof-of-Concept
3	Experimental proof of concept	Experimental proof of concept in vitro and in vivo research model	Experimental proof of concept in vitro and in vivo research models	Experimental proof of concept in vitro	Proof-of-Concept
4	Technology validated in lab	Proof of concept in vitro and in vivo research models	Proof of concept in vitro and in vivo research models	Proof of concept in vitro and in vivo research models	Prototype in Lab
5	Technology validated in relevant environment	Non-clinical and pre-clinical research studies, & initial demonstration of feasibility and efficacy	Product Development Plan
6	Technology demonstrated in relevant environment	Phase I clinical trials	Phase I clinical trials
7	System prototype demonstration in operational environment	Phase 2 clinical trials	Clinical safety and effectiveness trials in operational environment	Clinical validation in 1 site	Prototype in Live Environment
8	System complete and qualified	Phase 3 clinical trials	Overall risk-benefit Trials
9	Actual system proven in operational environment	Pharmaceutical can be distributed or marketed	Medical device can be distributed or marketed	Clinical validation in multi-site	Ready-to-Market

Background/Description

Stress, fatigue, and cognitive decline are growing concerns in Singapore. Younger adults often experience anxiety, insomnia, and difficulty focusing, while older adults face a higher risk of memory loss and cognitive decline. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 or above, highlighting the need for accessible ways to support cognitive health. Many adults rely on supplements to maintain cognitive performance, but these are often perceived as medicinal and unnatural. With 60% of consumers in the Asia Pacific region viewing mental well-being as central to health, the market for brain health foods and beverages is expanding rapidly, projected to reach USD 40.34 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 10.5%, highlighting a significant opportunity for enjoyable and familiar cognitive-supporting food products. This technology call therefore seeks proven cognitive ingredients and enabling technologies that improve ingredient stability, efficacy, and incorporation into foods and beverages.

Technology Specification

There is an interest in technologies that can:

Demonstrate cognitive benefits (e.g., improved focus, memory, stress regulation, or mental clarity) in human or animal studies

Be safe for general consumption, with established regulatory approval or GRAS status

Deliver innovative or differentiated ingredients or formulations compared to current market solutions

Include unique or proprietary enabling technologies that allow effective incorporation or stability of the ingredients in food products

WHAT WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN

Solutions that require substantial investment in new manufacturing infrastructure or process lines

Pharmaceutical-grade compounds or ingredients without a history of consumption in food

Ingredients that fall under medicinal classifications or face strict regulatory restrictions for use in general foods

Companies seeking purely sales or distribution opportunities without collaboration potential

Widely available, generic ingredients or standard formulations (e.g., fish oil, ginseng, caffeine)

Widely used enabling technologies (e.g., encapsulation, particle size reduction, coating)

Preferred Business Model

Business Collaboration (Joint Venture)
IP Acquisition
Licensing
R&D Collaboration