PolyU establishes the world’s first collaborative research laboratory with Yakult

PolyU received a generous donation of HK$ 2 million from Hong Kong Yakult Co. Ltd. (Yakult) to establish the “PolyU-Yakult Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics and Prebiotics in Human Health”. A signing ceremony was held on 17 September 2021.

During the ceremony, Mr Susumu Tsukamoto, Managing Director of Hong Kong Yakult Co. Ltd stated that, “The Yakult Group's corporate philosophy is to contribute to the health and happiness of people around the world through pursuit of excellence in life science in general and our research and experience in microorganisms in particular. As Yakult and PolyU share the same philosophy, we truly believe our collaboration will be a great success.”

The Joint Research Laboratory is under the PolyU Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood). Dr Wong Ka Hing, Director of RiFood, indicated that the RiFood, newly established in May this year, is committed to facilitate impactful interdisciplinary research in food science and human health.

Dr William Tai, Executive Director of the Joint Lab, said that, “The Joint Research Laboratory aims to pursue impactful and cutting-edge research in probiotics and prebiotics for the prevention and treatment of gut and brain diseases and eczema. Evidence-based research will form a basis to increase awareness and understanding amongst the public of probiotics and prebiotics and their intake for personal health, altogether contributing to Hong Kong, the nation and the world.”