Biosyngen Collaborates with Singapore's A*STAR to Develop Advanced Autoimmune Therapies
Friday, August 02, 2024
Biosyngen has announced a new strategic partnership with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to advance autoimmune disease therapies. The collaboration was established during the 14th Singapore-Guangdong Collaboration Council meeting at China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City (CSGKC) on July 31, 2024.
The meeting featured a session on "Opportunities for Singapore Companies in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)," with Biosyngen, Keppel EaaS, and SJ Group participating in discussions about future cooperation. Dr. Michelle Chen, Biosyngen’s co-founder and CEO, provided insights into the benefits of a "two-way partnership" and the need for accelerating the transition from novel drug research to global patient benefits.
The event resulted in 20 new cooperation agreements covering scientific innovation, education, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and green energy. A notable agreement is the collaboration between A*STAR, Biosyngen, and the China-Singapore Technology Innovation and Translational Medicine Centre for Tumor Prevention and Treatment (TMC) to develop multi-specific antibodies targeting plasma cells for autoimmune treatments. This agreement represents a key advancement in the Guangdong-Singapore biomedical relationship.
Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Trade & Industry, highlighted the potential of Singapore’s biotechnology sector to benefit from Guangdong’s advanced medical infrastructure, facilitating the rapid clinical application of research.
The project will involve Singapore’s leading research institutions—Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), and the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI)—under A*STAR, along with Biosyngen. Led by Professor Kong Peng Lam of SIgN, the team will focus on developing novel multi-specific antibodies for autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective is to create effective and safe therapies and advance the autoimmune drug market.
The partnership will leverage Biosyngen’s R&D and GMP facilities in Guangzhou and Singapore to develop and commercialize new therapies globally, with TMC managing the project at CSGKC. This collaboration underscores the strengthening of scientific and technological ties between China and Singapore, aiming for significant progress in autoimmune disease treatment.
Autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues, affect about 10% of the global population and often require ongoing management. Although the autoimmune drug market is the second-largest therapeutic area globally, it remains less developed compared to oncology. This partnership aims to make significant strides in treating conditions like SLE and RA with innovative antibody therapies, improving patient outcomes.
Source: prnewswire.com
