Push for Thai probiotic strains to compete in the global market

Global patent data indicated that the food industry of the future, focused on health-benefiting and safe foods, is rapidly evolving to meet the lifestyles of younger generations.

This includes growth in sectors such as health supplements, functional foods, alternative proteins, organic foods, and bioactive compounds, all of which have experienced significant expansion in recent years.

It is estimated that the market value for such products in Thailand could reach 500 billion baht by 2027. While growth has slowed down in recent times and the market has stabilised, competition remains intense.

Countries leading in innovation patents within this sector include China, with over 1,500 patents in the past decade, followed by Japan, the United States, and South Korea. Notably, India, with its annual growth rate exceeding 26%, and the Philippines, a rising player in the ASEAN region, are both emerging markets to watch.

The Future Food Industry in Thailand

Auramon Supthaweethum, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, stated that upon a deeper dive into the details, four emerging technologies or opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs are gaining momentum:

1. Plant-based Proteins & Bioactive Compounds

These technologies, which had previously reached a saturation point, have seen renewed growth after the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by global health trends, environmental policies, and animal welfare concerns. Academic institutions and research organisations hold the majority of patents in this field, rather than private companies, with an estimated 2,100 - 2,900 patents being filed annually.

2. Personalised Nutrition

This field is experiencing continuous growth as each person's body is unique, prompting the development of deep data analysis to design food formulas or supplements tailored to individual needs. This area involves a wide range of players, including biotech companies and research institutions, with around 800 - 900 patents filed annually. For example, personalised nutrition systems include smart kitchen technology that adjusts meal timings, temperatures, and recipes for specific individuals.

3. Fermentation Technology

This process uses microorganisms to transform raw food materials, enhancing their nutritional value and improving taste. While this market is somewhat saturated in terms of quantity, with around 200 - 300 patents filed annually, competition is increasing in terms of innovative quality. China, being a major global centre, leads in fermentation patents due to its rich resources and continuous development of knowledge, such as the fermentation of Chinese herbs to enhance medicinal efficacy.

4. 3D Food Printing and Precision Nutrition

This innovative technology involves designing food by printing it layer by layer, creating complex food structures in various shapes while adding nutrients to improve nutritional value and precisely control the proportions of ingredients. Examples include printing food bars with adjusted protein, carbohydrate, and vitamin ratios tailored to athletes' needs, or printing pureed food for the elderly that’s easier to chew, with added nutrients such as calcium and probiotics.

This innovation presents significant growth potential, with global pharmaceutical companies and top food brands joining the development efforts. The players in this technology are interconnected across three innovation cycles: upstream research, midstream digital technology, and downstream food brands. Approximately 200 - 300 patents are filed annually in this field.

Auramon views "Future Food" not just as a trend but as a global competitive arena that Thailand must rapidly adapt to. Especially in utilising intellectual property tools like patents, which play a crucial role in driving business forward, in line with the Ministry of Commerce's "Quick Big Win" policy, aimed at strengthening Thai entrepreneurs, particularly SMEs.

Thailand has a distinct advantage in its local wisdom and diverse resources. Entrepreneurs can collaborate with universities and startups to commercialise innovations, such as researching new bioactive compounds from plants like fingerroot for inflammation and gotu kola for memory enhancement. Additionally, innovations in fermentation can help expand GI (Geographical Indication) products in the food and agricultural sectors. These efforts provide Thai businesses with an opportunity to leverage the country’s biodiversity and turn it into high-quality products that can compete globally.

Thai People Increasingly Aware of Preventive Gut Health

Dr Suvanich Triamchanchoochai, Director of Vimut Hospital, expressed concern about the rising incidence of colon cancer in Thailand. According to data from Thaihealth Watch, the death rate from colon cancer has increased by 2.4 times over the past decade, with Bangkok having the highest rate at 15 deaths per 100,000 people. Additionally, other gastrointestinal health issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and acid reflux are also on the rise.

The primary causes of these issues are related to eating habits and lifestyle choices. To address this, Vimut Hospital has partnered with AMILI, Asia’s first microbiome research company specialising in the gastrointestinal tract, which has the largest microbiome database in the region. Together, they are developing probiotics tailored for preventative health care for Asians.

By utilising microbiome data from over 100,000 Asian population samples, through molecular-level analysis technology, the aim is to balance gut microorganisms and improve the long-term quality of life for Thai people. This innovative approach aligns with Vimut Hospital’s mission to offer quality health innovations and enhance understanding of proper healthcare practices.

Probiotics for Fatty Liver Prevention

Innobic (Asia) has partnered with T.Man Company to bring a Thai strain probiotic innovation to commercial scale. The focus is on using probiotics to prevent fatty liver disease. The probiotic, made up of two specific strains, is particularly suited to the Thai population as it originates from local bacteria. This strain is more compatible with the Thai environment and diet, and is more resilient to high temperatures, ensuring that the probiotics remain viable for longer periods.

The primary target group for this probiotic aimed at fatty liver prevention includes drinkers or party-goers, as well as individuals who suffer from poor eating habits, such as consuming fried foods or high-carbohydrate meals, which can lead to obesity and fatty liver disease. The product is initially planned to be registered as a dietary supplement with the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with a market launch expected in Q1 or Q2 of 2026. To upgrade the product to a low-risk drug, more data on its stability will need to be collected, and regulatory documents prepared for FDA registration, which could take about 1-2 years.

Reducing Regulatory Barriers for Probiotic Development

Dr Supatra Boonserm, Secretary-General of the FDA, stated that the growing trend of preventative health has led to rapid growth in Thailand's probiotic market, which is expected to be valued at approximately 8.6 billion baht in 2025 and is forecasted to grow to 12.7 billion baht by 2030, with an average annual growth rate of around 8%. This makes the market attractive to both domestic and international businesses. However, most probiotics used in food products in Thailand are imported from abroad.

To support the development and widespread use of Thai probiotic strains in food products, the FDA has partnered with the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) on the "Evaluation of Safety and Characteristics of Thai Microbial Strains" project. This initiative aims to promote "Thai Probiotics" as a rising star in the global market.

The goal is to reduce processing time and expand the list of certified Thai probiotic strains, enabling entrepreneurs to bring products to market more quickly. The initiative also aims to increase confidence in the strains by verifying the microbial strains in the market and gathering technical information from entrepreneurs to streamline future approval processes for probiotic-containing products.

Additionally, the FDA is working to update the Ministry of Public Health's regulations on the use of probiotics in food, aligning them with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards to make it easier for entrepreneurs to use probiotics in food. This will create a more standardised, international framework to support Thai researchers and industries, ensuring sustainable growth under global standards.