TECH OFFERS

The impact of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on society is one of our biggest global challenges as it adversely affects the quality of life of patients. This irreversible disease also poses tremendous physical, emotional, and financial burdens to their family, the community medical system, and the entire social economy.  The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a few prescription drugs (i.e. Aricept® (donepezil), Exelon® (rivastigmine), Razadyne® (galantamine) and Namenda® (memantine)) for the treatment of AD. These prescription drugs can help reduce or delay some symptoms, but not cure AD.  The possible side effects of these drugs range from mild symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, to severe symptoms that include slow heartbeat, heart block, gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. As stated in the 2012 Consumer Reports, the monthly medication cost of these prescription drugs is around US$200 to US$400 per AD patient.  In light of this, we have invented a patented formulation by modifying the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulation, Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT, 黃連解毒湯).  Our research findings prove that the modified HLJDT (HLJDT-M) can reduce the accumulation of protein plaques and fibrous nodules (i.e. amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) and tau aggregates) in the brain that leads to rapid death of neurons and deterioration of brain function. HLJDT-M has given more significant therapeutic and pharmacological effects in treating AD with low cost and extremely low side effects. As a pioneer in the modified HLJDT formula (HLJDT-M) study, our research findings offer convincing pieces of evidence that this patented formulation is an effective, safe, and low-cost option for AD treatment and improvement of memory disorders in AD patients.  HLJDT is a famous traditional Chinese Medicine formula, which consists of four herbs, i.e. Rhizoma Coptidis (RC, 黃連), Radix Scutellariae (RS, 黃芩), Cortex Phellodendri (CP, 黃柏) and Fructus Gardeniae (FG, 梔子). It is widely used in treating stroke, senile dementia, inflammation, digestive system upsets, and cerebrovascular disease. HLJDT-M comprises RC, CP, and FG but excludes RS. It is safe for human intake as the original HLJDT has long been used by medical professionals in China and Japan. In our studies, HLJDT-M treatment at a concentration of 12.5 μg/mL could have significant therapeutic effects without biotoxicity. When compared with the original HLJDT, the HLJDT-M has a far more significant Aβ-reducing effect. In addition, HLJDT-M promotes the degradation of Aβ and tau aggregates in both laboratory and animal experiments.  Currently, there is no cure for AD and none of the medications have been shown to be more effective than the others. We suggested a pharmacological treatment that addresses the key causer (i.e. Aβ) in the pathogenesis of AD. HLJDT-M has fewer side effects than conventional drugs and can be regarded as a promising herbal formulation to prevent and/or cure AD. HLJDT-M is a TCM recipe that could be a dietary therapy for AD. It is suitable for most people as it has low side effects.  The cost of HLJDT is about US$50 per 200g. For an effective treatment, it is suggested to have HLJDT-M be orally administered at 15-35 mg/kg/day for at least three months, it indicates that the daily cost is less than US$1. Thus, it is cheaper than the current prescription drugs approved by the FDA. With an affordable price of less than US$1 per day, HLJDT-M can be taken as a health supplement or a non-prescription medicine for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases like AD. Through the investigation of molecular interactions, we hope to extract several major monomers in the formulation and create a new drug with molecular size for the treatment of AD.  HLJDT-M is an effective, safe, and low-cost option that could give hope to patients with AD. It also helps prevent and delay the onset of AD. This herbal formula is cheaper than the current prescription drugs as approved by the FDA. With extremely low side effects, it provides a safer and cheaper alternative option for the treatment of AD. Alzheimer's disease, Chinese Medicine, amyloid β, Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals & Therapeutics, Foods, Ingredients

Many of us love the warmth and brightness of the sun; however, sun exposure often causes damage to our skin. When our skin is exposed to sunlight, which is the primary source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, our skin gets darkened, damaged or causes various aesthetic problems, such as wrinkles, blemishes, scarring, freckles and chloasmata. These are due to the oxidative stress (i.e. generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS)) in the epidermal and dermal layers. Occasionally, the UV-induced damages may even lead to the development of melanoma (i.e. a type of skin cancer). The invention is a specific class of natural compounds in a well-known Chinese medicine. The product gives skin whitening effect and improves skin condition. It is safe to use and is now available on the market. Melanin is a natural pigment in both humans and animals that makes hair, skin, and eyes colour darker. The said compounds possess both anti-melanogenic and anti-oxidative properties. In our studies, they showed a significant inhibitory effect on melanin-making cells (i.e. melanocytes) and the generation of oxidative free radicals and ROS. Besides, they are safe-proof (i.e. at least five times higher dose than the renowned anti-oxidative compound trans-resveratrol).  As these natural compounds are safe and able to reduce melanin formation in human, they should be decent depigmentation compounds against skin darkening and their antioxidant competence. In view of this, these compounds are the pertinent ingredients for the formulation of skin-whitening and skincare cosmeceuticals. Our study has provided solid pieces of scientific evidence that the use of our compounds can serve for skin protection and skin whitening purposes. These compounds can be used as multi-functional constituents for cosmetic and skincare products. Besides, they are potential nutraceuticals for skin protection and skin whitening. The active components are not only safe for applying on skin, but also for oral administration at a certain level of quantity. Anti-ageing, herbs, Natural, Organic, Skin Whitening, Skincare Personal Care, Cosmetics & Hair

This Technology Offer allows automation of the process of monitoring stock levels in the warehouse, and when they drop below a certain threshold, trigger a certain event.  This technology can be used to address the following challenges: What items are on the shelf? What is the current inventory level? What items need to be restocked? How many items need to be restocked? This technology can automatically trigger material top-up quantity from a cloud platform to suppliers, based on visual signals using webcams. Two types of technology concepts are used: 1) Webcam scans AR code to detect stock to be replenished or 2) Webcam compares area occupied vs empty (ROI image area mapping), and calculates stock to be replenished Thus, stock management can optimized and no longer require storage in warehouse; they can be directly sent to Centralized Packaging, hence saving staging space & inventory. This technology would be useful for companies that are interested in automating the warehouse processes. This in turn could reduce the time and manpower required to do inventory checks. The technology can also be applied in places with high turnover stock rates or unpredictable selling rates, e.g., pharmacy or supermarket. This technology allows for automatic monitoring and top up triggering of inventory levels, thus reducing time and manpower required to do inventory checks. Inventory Management, Logistics, Warehouse Management Logistics, Inventory Management

Fermentation is a traditional method but when guided by expert knowledge, fermentation unlocks endless opportunities for food innovation through proprietary microbial cultures and precise know-how. Some propositions include: Elevated Taste Profiles: this fermentation process technology transforms ordinary ingredients into culinary experiences, revealing complex and nuanced tastes. Some examples include creation of beverages with with subtle yet captivating aromatic profiles, or the infusion of the coveted 'umami' into plant-based products, offering a savoury depth, delighting the palate. The curated cultures can be tailored to generate specific flavour compounds, providing a distinct competitive edge. Enhanced Textural Excellence: this technology offers remarkable control over the physical properties for food and beverages products. For instances, that melt-in-your-mouth creaminess of fermented dairy alternatives to biting into the fibres of mycelium based meats and the satisfying chewiness of artisanal gluten-free breads, effectively bridging the gap with traditional baked goods. Nutritional Fortification and Bioavailability: beyond taste and texture; this technology has been shown to naturally enhance the nutritional value of foods using specialised bacteria to unlock bound nutrients, making essential vitamins and minerals more readily absorbable by the body. Probiotic for Well-being: The company’s proprietary probiotic strains can transform everyday foods and beverages into functional powerhouses, contributing to a balanced gut microbiome and promoting overall well-being. The company is keen to partnering with companies seeking to develop a range of clean, functional and healthy food to offer consumers food not only with exceptional taste but also actively contribute to a healthy lifestyle.   The technology is based on more than 20 years of experience of isolating, studying and using microbes for the development of fermented plant-based ingredients which improve the taste, texture, nutrition value or healthiness of the food products using them. The fermentation technology uses: - All kind of lactic acid bacteria - All kind of yeasts - All kind of moulds The fermentation technology can be used for any plant-based ingredient. These fermented ingredients can then be used: 1. Probiotic flavored waters, juices, smoothies, yogurts, cheeses, porridges (for gut health, better digestibility and nutritional value) 2. Fermented cold coffees and teas (for gut health and nutritional value) 3. Fermented green bean coffee for roasting (exotic taste and lower acrylamide) 4. Fermented grains, pulses and all kind of flours (better digestibility, texture and nutritional value) 5. Koji and miso from alternative sources (umami taste)   Food industry is looking for alternatives ways to have premium attributes that will make them stand out from the rest of competitors. Fermentation is starting to be very well known by the final consumer for improving their gut health and general wellbeing. Because of these, fermentation technology offers what food industry is looking for and we can help them use this technology and create premium food products for them. fermentation, plant-based, nutrition, fermented foods, kimchi, yogurt, cheese, whole foods Foods, Ingredients, Quality & Safety, Processes

Human DNA contamination is an issue in the process of manufacturing devices for molecular and genomic applications. Such devices need to be certified human DNA free for sensitive downstream processes. Therefore, there is a need to monitor human DNA residual level in factory surfaces and in final products. The technology provider had identified a novel target for detection of human DNA and developed a highly sensitive PCR based detection method for presence of human DNA based on this target. They have demonstrated that the method is specific, sensitive and with low cost. Compared to a commercial kit available in the market, this method is at least 500 times more sensitive. This method will be a valuable tool for device manufacturers. In addition, it can also be applied on forensic as well as environmental samples. Furthermore, the principle of the method can be adapted to detect other animal species for either identification or monitoring purposes. The said method is simple and reproducible. It meets the requirement described in the ISO 18385 standard (Minimizing the risk of human DNA contamination in products used to collect, store and analyse biological material for forensic purposes-Requirement) in terms of detection sensitivity. One of the key advantages of this innovation is its superior sensitivity level in human DNA detection. When compared with a commercial human DNA detection kit on the market, thismethod demonstrated at least 500 times higher sensitivity when performed under comparable conditions in parallel. The primary application will be for certification of human DNA-free in manufactured products. With this test, products can meet higher standard of requirement especially in the molecular biology and genomic DNA related applications. Therefore manufacturers can broaden its market reach and add value to their products. This method can also be applied identification of human remains in forensic samples. With higher sensitivity level, efficient routine tests procedure can be established by using less samples volume or even pooled samples. The overall test cost will be lower.   DNA, DNA detection, PCR Healthcare, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Chemicals, Agrochemicals, Analysis

Multiple Pickup and Delivery Planning (MPDP) is very common in both passenger and cargo transport operations. However, due to the planning complexity, it is impossible to quickly generate good solutions manually to support daily transport operation planning. The MPDP solution developed by the team is able to close the gap by quickly generating transport plans for multiple vehicles with multiple pickup locations and multiple delivery locations. Web-based application. No installation required and easy to access Capable of handling multiple complex constraints, such as different time windows, different vehicle types, different vehicle departure times, different vehicle start and end locations, Visualisation of jobs and planned routes on both map and Gantt chart Flexible for human planner to overwrite the existing plan with drag-and-drop feature The MPDP solution can be applied to two potential areas. The first area is passenger transport planning for Book-a-Ride, bus pooling and carpooling services. The MPDP solution is able to quickly generate high quality plans either in advance or in real-time to replace the manual planning. The second area is cargo delivery planning in the logistics industry. The potential users include packed food delivery to consumers from different restaurants, courier service providers who provide same day pickup and delivery services, premier transport service providers who provide 2-hour delivery services etc. The solution will facilitate the human planner to assign travel routes based on the vehicle’s current location, vehicle capacity, service requestor’s start and end location as well as service start time. The solution will also consider the drivers break time, vehicle departure location and end location. Moreover, the planning and scheduling engine developed is able to run in the background to assign passengers to vehicles automatically. This feature can also be used for the real-time planning of last minute transport service requests. The solution can be applied for both passenger service providers and logistics industry players for delivery planning. Potential users includes of Dial a Ride (DAR) service providers and logistics opterators that provide same day pickup and delivery courier services.  Provide better service to customers Reduce operating cost by cutting vehicle traveling distance on the road Improve vehicle utilisation to generate more revenue Infocomm, Enterprise & Productivity, Logistics, Planning & Order Processing, Transportation, Delivery & Distribution

Our Location Tracking solution enables companies in manufacturing, logistics and healthcare to streamline their operations and increase their product quality through Reduce searching and assembly time by locating tools with 30cm accuracy Improved visibility on work order status and location to identify bottlenecks in real-time and avoid delays Streamline intralogistics flow by optimising material handling equipment's motion and increasing their utilization rates. For example, we help hospitals to track medical equipment, to monitor the flow of patients, and to guide visitors. We help factories to automate supply chain decisions, to locate tools/equipment, to analyse intralogistics flows. Finally, we help retail clients for self-service and delivery, such as table service in fast-food restaurants. Overall, we help B2B clients in several sectors to reduce their operational 'waste' by minimally 20%. To achieve this, we have developed an end-to-end Location Tracking Solution, with active RF tags that emit Bluetooth or Ultrawide Band signals, gateways that collect the signals, and server software which computes positions and provides user applications (search, alert, analytics ...). We've learned how to best address our clients' requirements, by designing a solution which adds value through a unique blend: Hybridization: using a single IoT infrastructure, most location-based use cases can be addressed on a physical site, whether related to people, tools, parts or other moving assets. This helps achieve faster ROI since the infrastructure investment is shared among stakeholders. Industrialisation: we have proven its ability to deliver high volumes with over 500k devices produced, over 3k sites in operations, and deployment tools for over the years. We can deliver "Plug & Play" RTLS thanks to unique features such as auto-mapping & auto-calibration. Openness: our platform is not meant to be a standalone silo, but to be integrated into legacy IT systems using our API. For instance, we have connectors with SAP's manufacturing executive system, MII. Also, third party active tags can be utilised instead of our-branded tags. We bring for the first time affordability and reliability thanks to advanced mathematical algorithms software and low-cost design: we can achieve prices up to 10x lower than historical players. And we've proven our ability to deploy at scale and bring ROI in less than a year. For Tools: Increase Utilization Rate / Reduce new tool orders Optimise layout / reduce transportation Smarter maintenance (when needed, not too early or too late), e.g. calibration Reduce tool loss For Work-In-Progress Parts / Products (Work orders): Reduce errors in delivery (since the work orders are correctly tagged) Other Lean techniques, eg Value Stream Mapping Optimise work-in-progress stock levels Provide visibility to customers regarding their order status (know when they can come on-site and do acceptance tests if they want to) Reduce time searching for products stored on site For Material Handling Equipment: MHE is usually expensive and can come in great quantities. It is therefore vital to track it, in order to utilize it in an optimal manner, in order to avoid losing them and having to reorder more. Furthermore, they can block the production: when a forklift isn't available to move parts in an automotive factory, where Takt Time is usually 60sec, then 10,000s of Eur are quickly lost. Another benefit of MHE tracking is to apply the Lean Manufacturing technique: measure the flows, then optimise the process and layout. 10-20% Turnaround time reduction 10-15% reduction in Material Handling Equipment costs 20-30% increase in Worker Productivity Asset Tracking, BLE, flow management, IIOT, Indoor location, location analytics, UWB Electronics, Sensors & Instrumentation, Infocomm, Big Data, Data Analytics, Data Mining & Data Visualisation, Enterprise & Productivity, Radio Frequency, Internet of Things, Ambient Intelligence & Context-Aware Computing, Wireless Technology, Logistics, Inventory Management