Health care company Abbott has set up its largest nutrition R&D facility outside of the United States at the Biopolis Research Park in Singapore. The new US $20 million (S $27-million) laboratory will focus on developing products specifically designed for Asians.

Currently, the laboratory employs forty scientists, with Abbott hoping to increase the headcount to over 60 in the next two years. Abbott said 90% of this talent pool will be drawn from Singapore and the region.

Tapping into growth opportunities in Asia, Abbott is also looking at developing products with new ingredients and packaging to suit consumers in the region.

It already produces a range of nutritional products, such as, formula milk and supplements, and by investing in a new R&D facility in Singapore, the company hopes to its nutrition business grow.

Meanwhile, Singapore said it is ready to play a role in supporting the growth of the nutrition industry in Asia.

The R&D facility is Abbott’s third investment in Singapore, as it opened a pharmaceutical laboratory and a nutrition manufacturing facility last year.