POLA ORBIS Teams with Singapore Institute to Kick Off Project to Elucidate Blemish Mechanism in People of Asian Heritage

SINGAPORE and TOKYO,Aug. 7,2019 --

- Dermatology Research Collaboration with Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS) -

POLA Chemical Industries,Inc. Frontier Research Center (FRC) of POLA ORBIS Holdings Inc. and one of the world's top research institutes,Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS) (*1),have teamed up to create unique value in the field of dermatology. FRC aims to elucidate mechanisms of blemish formation common in people of Asian heritage by teaming with SRIS and a reputable dermatology center in Singapore.

(*1) One of the institutes under Singapore's Agency for Science,Technology and Research (A*STAR)

SRIS in A*STAR located within Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine's Novena campus.

Photo courtesy of Nanyang Technological University:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201908029382-O1-t2291n9l

The headquarters and Yokohama R&D Center of POLA Chemical Industries:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201908029382-O2-4x4piE6u

(Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201908029382-O3-fK6zH83x)

Background

"Sensitize the world to beauty" is the POLA ORBIS Group's corporate philosophy. FRC,the Group's research arm,aims to actualize the Group's principles by collaborating with various cutting-edge institutions from different fields to strengthen and progress open innovation. Now FRC has teamed up with Asia's top-level research institute SRIS to accelerate and deeply explore dermatological research more than ever.

FRC has focused on analyzing genetic characteristics of Japanese people to understand how differences in racial roots may cause skin issues. On the other hand,SRIS is based in ethnically diverse (*2) Singapore,and dermatological research based on multiple ethnicities is its forte. By utilizing each others' unique knowledge and technology in dermatological research,the collaboration aims to solve skin problems shared among people with all types of Asian heritage.

(*2) Chinese 74%,Malay 13%,Indian 9% (June 2017) according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/singapore/data.html)

What to expect from the research collaboration

Particularly in Asia,blemishes are one of major skin issues that lead to a decrease in QOL (*3) and need an effective solution. It is possible that blemish formation is effected not just by large genetic differences studied up until now among people of different races,but also by small genetic differences resulting from differences in ethnic backgrounds and roots. By collaborating with SRIS and researching factors responsible for blemish formation among different ethnicities,and by analyzing any differences or similarities found,the POLA ORBIS Group hopes to provide an effective solution for all people troubled by blemishes and dark spots.

POLA Chemical Industries will continue to adopt cutting-edge research and technology,and offer solutions for people all over the world with all sorts of skin issues.

(*3) Quality of life: total quality of lifestyle including physical,mental,and social activities

Additional information

POLA Chemical Industries,Inc. Frontier Research Center (FRC):

Established in January 2018 and responsible for carrying out the Group's research,development and production. By doing research to create new value in line with the Group's holding company POLA ORBIS Holdings' strategy,FRC's role is to create seeds to expand new and existing business. FRC is based in Yokohama,Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan,and its President is Kazuya Kugimaru.

(Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201908029382-O4-X05L4E8h)

Website: http://www.pola-rm.co.jp/en/index.html

Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS):

SRIS was established as a collaboration between the Agency for Science,Technology and Research (A*STAR),National Skin Centre in Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. It was launched in September 2013 and harnesses expertise of scientists,clinicians and engineers to foster and conduct high-impact,inter-disciplinary skin research to translate into improved health outcomes and quality of life.

(Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201908029382-O5-73evB1Xv)

Website: https://www.a-star.edu.sg/sris/