Latest news with #NationalCancerCentreSingapore
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Elpis Biopharmaceuticals Signs Memorandum of Understanding with National Cancer Centre Singapore to Conduct Translational Cell Therapy Research in Singapore
Collaboration focuses on advancing clinically validated armored CAR technologies into first-in-human trials in Singapore and accelerate translational research from bench-to-bedside SINGAPORE and LEXINGTON, Mass., July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Elpis Biopharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage cell therapy company developing bispecific armored CAR-T therapies for solid tumors, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS). The partnership aims to support collaborative cell therapy research and clinical trials for the treatment of a variety of cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic and ovarian cancers. CAR-T cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy that is currently only approved for use to treat blood cancers, such as certain types of lymphomas and multiple myeloma. As part of the agreement, Elpis will contribute clinically validated technologies for cancer treatment, including multi-mechanism armor, bispecific targeting antibodies, cytokine cocktails, and a rapid mRNA display discovery engine, to drive the development of next-generation cell therapies. These technologies are already being investigated in Elpis' global clinical trials of EPC-002 and EPC-003, with the goal of expanding their translational relevance across multiple tumor types. Plans are also underway for Elpis to establish a laboratory space at NCCS and co-share its equipment to enable more integrated and efficient collaboration. "This partnership reflects our commitment to rapidly advancing innovative immunotherapies from discovery to clinical development through to regulatory review and, hopefully saving patients' lives," said Yan Chen, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of Elpis Biopharmaceuticals. "By combining Elpis's proprietary technology with NCCS's clinical expertise, we look forward to accelerating the delivery of these potential groundbreaking new cancer therapies to patients in Singapore and beyond." NCCS will contribute its expertise in clinical research and access to clinical trial infrastructure to support the evaluation of novel cell therapy candidates. "The potential of using cell therapies for solid tumors is still being explored, and this collaboration will enable us to evaluate promising new technologies in a clinical context to address current unmet needs and improve patient outcomes," said Professor Lim Soon Thye, CEO of NCCS. "This is a key collaboration with NCCS' precision immunotherapy program. With our respective strengths and the shared goal of transforming clinical care through translational science, we look forward to offering clinical trials and developing novel cell therapies to better meet the needs of patients in Singapore and the region," added Professor Daniel Tan, Head, Division of Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Sciences and Senior Consultant, NCCS. The collaboration will support the development of bispecific armored CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors, while Elpis's global leading mRNA display technology will support NCCS in the rapid discovery of human antibodies to novel targets and enable novel modalities to cell therapy and beyond. "The MOU represents an expansion of Elpis's living drug strategy and a key step toward enabling broader clinical translation of our cutting-edge cell therapy technologies," said Chee-Yong Lim, Co-Founder, Co-CEO & Chief Strategy Officer, Elpis Biopharmaceuticals. "Together, we are working to make living drugs a reality for patients with cancers that currently lack effective treatment options." About Elpis Biopharmaceuticals Elpis Biopharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharma company pioneering next-generation cell therapies for the treatment of solid tumors. The company is advancing a pipeline of first- and best-in-class bispecific armored CAR-T therapies designed to overcome the challenges of tumor heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Its proprietary platforms—including a multi-mechanism armor technology, bispecific targeting antibodies, a cytokine cocktail-based cell manufacturing process, and a rapid mRNA display discovery engine—are integrated to deliver safer, more durable, and more effective therapeutic responses. Elpis's lead programs include EPC-003 for glioblastoma and EPC-002 for a broad range of solid tumors. Elpis Biopharmaceuticals is headquartered in Singapore and Boston, MA. For more information, visit Contact Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. Jonathan Nugent (investors) +1-205-566-3026 jnugent@ Eric Reiss (media) ereiss@ View original content: SOURCE Elpis Biopharmaceuticals Sign in to access your portfolio
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Researchers get $25m grant to screen, treat lung cancer in Asian patients
A team of clinicians and scientists from the National Cancer Centre Singapore have been awarded a $25 million grant. SINGAPORE - Researchers here have received a $25 million grant to work on tackling lung cancer in Asian patients across all stages – from risk prediction and early detection of those who are at risk, to personalised treatments of patients at more advanced stages of the illness. They want to gain a deeper understanding of why the disease – the deadliest cancer globally and one that kills three people each day in Singapore – behaves differently in Asian patients. Unlike in Western countries where lung cancer is mainly linked to smoking, nearly half of Singapore's lung cancer patients have never smoked. Many have non-small cell lung cancer, a type of the cancer that is often driven by mutations in a gene known as the EGFR. While the advent of targeted therapies in the past two decades have improved survival rates , most patients develop drug resistance within nine to 15 months, causing relapse. Even early-stage patients face relapse risks after surgery. The question is why. The $25 million grant comes from the Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council. It establishes the project called Clarion, which stands for Conquering Lung Cancer Across All Stages With Research And Innovation. Clarion will build on more than a decade of research undertaken by a multidisciplinary team led by the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS). The team also includes researchers from A*Star and the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore. At a media briefing at NCCS on July 15, Associate Professor Daniel Tan, a senior consultant in NCCS' Division of Medical Oncology, said lung cancer is a major challenge because some 60 per cent of cases are picked up in the late stages of the disease . Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Business Singapore financial sector growth doubles in 2024, assets managed cross $6 trillion in a first: MAS Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms and 1 lawyer over seized properties Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Singapore SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024 Singapore Sengkang-Punggol LRT gets 15.8 per cent capacity boost with new trains Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Until now, it is not yet clear which group of people is at higher risk of having lung cancer, apart from those who have a family history. Studies elsewhere have also shown that pollution can be one of the non-smoking-related triggers of lung cancer, he said. The researchers want to find out who is at risk of the cancer in order to identify the right groups for screening, as well as find out which groups will progress to having more severe disease, and which ones will not, said Associate Professor Tam Wai Leong, deputy executive director of A*Star Genomic Institute of Singapore. Around two years ago, the national lung cancer research group launched Solstice, Singapore's first local lung cancer screening study to screen family members of lung cancer patients using low-dose CT scans. The new grant will enable them to expand this study. A screening study done in Taiwan found that about 2 per cent of 12,000 non-smokers who were screened had lung cancer. The Taiwan findings suggested that a family history of lung cancer among first-degree relatives significantly increases the risk of lung cancer. While the results of Singapore's screening programme are not ready, the lung cancer research team has achieved other milestones. These include discovering new biomarkers explaining drug resistance, and introducing comprehensive molecular profiling for lung cancer patients, allowing doctors to tailor treatments based on the genetic and molecular characteristics of their cancer. The group also set up Singapore's first multidisciplinary lung cancer clinic, where specialists collaborate to design personalised treatment plans for complex cases. The team's research serves up hope to Asians, particularly those who have never smoked but are at risk of lung cancer – like homemaker Tiffany Khor, 46 . She did not notice any symptoms of the disease until she started experiencing breathlessness and a persistent cough following the birth of her second child 10 years ago. An X-ray showed that her entire left lung was filled with fluid and that she had low oxygen levels. At that point, she was told that she had Stage 3B lung cancer had that spread to her diaphragm. Ms Tiffany Khor and her husband Josh Yong. She started experiencing breathlessness and a persistent cough following the birth of her second child 10 years ago. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Ms Khor stopped her chemotherapy treatment after only two sessions. 'I didn't know how long I would live, so I decided not to waste any more time undergoing treatment. I wanted to spend the rest of my time with my children,' she told the media at NCCS. After undergoing genomic and molecular testing, she was found to have ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, which could be treated using targeted therapy. However, she decided to seek alternative therapy, until early 2016 when she was too weak to decline treatment. At NCCS, scans showed that her cancer had spread to her brain, which meant her cancer had progressed to Stage 4. She went on targeted therapy and had home hospice care. In late 2023, when scans showed that her cancer spread to the lining of her brain and spinal cord, her husband Josh Yong was desperate for a solution. He researched different clinical trials and came across the drug NVL-655 which had just been cleared by the FDA for clinical trials in the United States in May 2024. From her oncologist, Mr Yong found out that Singapore was one of the sites in a multi-country trial for the oral chemotherapy drug and got her on the ALKOVE-1 trial in June 2024. Results have been very positive, with scans showing that the tumours in Ms Khor's spine and traces of the cancer from her brain lining have gone. Her cancer is now under control. Mr Yong said his wife has never been better mentally and physically since she started struggling with the cancer.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Tanoto Foundation Backs Landmark Research to Unlock the Code of Asian Prevalent Diseases
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 June 2025 - Tanoto Foundation today announced the funding of two transformative, Singapore-based medical research projects focused on diseases that disproportionately affect Asian populations: prevalent and aggressive cancers, and young-onset Type 2 diabetes. The multi-year initiatives aim to generate data-driven insights that can accelerate diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and guide public health policy. Despite global strides in medicine, Asia continues to face rising rates of cancer and diabetes – diseases that are biologically and clinically distinct in Asian populations but remain under-researched due to a lack of region-specific data. The two research projects, from National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore General Hospital, will focus on filling these gaps through deep genomic studies and innovative risk-prediction models. Imelda Tanoto, Member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation said: 'Singapore is well-positioned to lead in medical science. It has strong research institutions and a population that reflects the diversity of Asia. By supporting researchers here who are focused on health issues that affect Asians, we hope to help drive discoveries that make a real difference to people's lives — both in Singapore and across the region.' Tackling Asian-Prevalent Cancers Led by Dr Jason Chan, Medical Oncologist, National Cancer Centre Singapore, the research will investigate four types of cancers with high prevalence and poor outcomes in Asia: • Breast Cancer in Asian Women, marked by earlier onset and biological differences compared to Western populations • T/NK-Cell Lymphomas, an aggressive blood cancer dominant in East Asians with limited treatment options • Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma), increasingly linked to environmental exposures specific to Asia • Rare Asian Cancers, collectively neglected but accounting for up to 25% of all cases in the region These cancers are devastating but remain poorly understood because most research has focused on Western populations,' said Dr Chan. 'By decoding their molecular and genomic landscapes in Asian patients, we want to uncover new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities to benefit patients.' A key feature of the project is its open-access commitment: anonymised data will be freely available to the broader research community to accelerate further discovery and collaboration. Unmasking Diabetes Risk in Young Singaporeans The second research project, led by Dr Daphne Gardner, Endocrinologist, Singapore General Hospital, will address the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes in young adults, particularly prevalent in Singapore, where 1 in 5 young adults have prediabetes or diabetes, despite being of normal weight. Unlike traditional assessments that rely heavily on BMI and family history, this project will develop a next-generation risk prediction tool by incorporating non-traditional indicators such as body fat distribution, continuous glucose monitoring, and health-seeking behaviour. 'Many young Asians with diabetes don't fit the usual risk profile. They're lean, may not have hypertension, and are therefore often overlooked by current screening models,' said Dr Gardner. 'We want to change that by identifying new risk signals and developing tools that are tailored to Singapore's population and the region.' Findings from the study aim to inform national diabetes screening guidelines and lead to earlier interventions that can curb long-term complications. Singapore as a Hub for Medical Research Advancement In addition to previously supported research projects, these two initiatives reflect a growing recognition of Singapore's role in advancing precision medicine for Asian populations, driven by strong clinical infrastructure, genomic capabilities, and public-private partnerships. Imelda Tanoto added: 'We believe precision health can change how we treat and prevent diseases. We're supporting researchers who are not only breaking new ground, but also making sure their work reaches people and communities across Asia. This is something deeply personal to us — it's about improving lives in a way that's inclusive, meaningful, and lasting.' This announcement marks a key milestone in Tanoto Foundation's continuing effort to improve the quality of healthcare and health standards, leading to longer and better healthspans. Hashtag: #TanotoFoundation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arabian Post
27-06-2025
- Health
- Arabian Post
Tanoto Foundation Backs Landmark Research to Unlock the Code of Asian Prevalent Diseases
Understanding Asian Cancers and Diabetes Through an Asian Lens SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 June 2025 – Tanoto Foundation today announced the funding of two transformative, Singapore-based medical research projects focused on diseases that disproportionately affect Asian populations: prevalent and aggressive cancers, and young-onset Type 2 diabetes. The multi-year initiatives aim to generate data-driven insights that can accelerate diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and guide public health policy. NCCS and SGH secure research funding from Tanoto Foundation for projects tackling Asian-prevalent cancers and young-onset diabetes to drive breakthroughs in regional health Despite global strides in medicine, Asia continues to face rising rates of cancer and diabetes – diseases that are biologically and clinically distinct in Asian populations but remain under-researched due to a lack of region-specific data. The two research projects, from National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore General Hospital, will focus on filling these gaps through deep genomic studies and innovative risk-prediction models. ADVERTISEMENT Imelda Tanoto, Member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation said: 'Singapore is well-positioned to lead in medical science. It has strong research institutions and a population that reflects the diversity of Asia. By supporting researchers here who are focused on health issues that affect Asians, we hope to help drive discoveries that make a real difference to people's lives — both in Singapore and across the region.' Tackling Asian-Prevalent Cancers Led by Dr Jason Chan, Medical Oncologist, National Cancer Centre Singapore, the research will investigate four types of cancers with high prevalence and poor outcomes in Asia: Breast Cancer in Asian Women, marked by earlier onset and biological differences compared to Western populations T/NK-Cell Lymphomas, an aggressive blood cancer dominant in East Asians with limited treatment options Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma), increasingly linked to environmental exposures specific to Asia Rare Asian Cancers, collectively neglected but accounting for up to 25% of all cases in the region These cancers are devastating but remain poorly understood because most research has focused on Western populations,' said Dr Chan. 'By decoding their molecular and genomic landscapes in Asian patients, we want to uncover new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities to benefit patients.' A key feature of the project is its open-access commitment: anonymised data will be freely available to the broader research community to accelerate further discovery and collaboration. Unmasking Diabetes Risk in Young Singaporeans The second research project, led by Dr Daphne Gardner, Endocrinologist, Singapore General Hospital, will address the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes in young adults, particularly prevalent in Singapore, where 1 in 5 young adults have prediabetes or diabetes, despite being of normal weight. ADVERTISEMENT Unlike traditional assessments that rely heavily on BMI and family history, this project will develop a next-generation risk prediction tool by incorporating non-traditional indicators such as body fat distribution, continuous glucose monitoring, and health-seeking behaviour. 'Many young Asians with diabetes don't fit the usual risk profile. They're lean, active, and often overlooked by current screening models,' said Dr Gardner. 'We want to change that by identifying new risk signals and developing tools that are tailored to Singapore's population and beyond.' Findings from the study aim to inform national diabetes screening guidelines and lead to earlier interventions that can curb long-term complications. Singapore as a Hub for Medical Research Advancement In addition to previously supported research projects, these two initiatives reflect a growing recognition of Singapore's role in advancing precision medicine for Asian populations, driven by strong clinical infrastructure, genomic capabilities, and public-private partnerships. Imelda Tanoto added: 'We believe precision health can change how we treat and prevent diseases. We're supporting researchers who are not only breaking new ground, but also making sure their work reaches people and communities across Asia. This is something deeply personal to us — it's about improving lives in a way that's inclusive, meaningful, and lasting.' This announcement marks a key milestone in Tanoto Foundation's continuing effort to improve the quality of healthcare and health standards, leading to longer and better healthspans. Hashtag: #TanotoFoundation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Tanoto Foundation At Tanoto Foundation, we unlock human potential, help communities thrive, and create lasting impact. Founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, we are an independent family foundation that believes in providing every person with the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. To do so, we catalyse systems change in education and healthcare. Our approach is impact-first, collaborative, and evidence-based. We invest for the long term and strive to develop leaders who can drive sustained, positive outcomes. More information is available at
Zawya
27-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Tanoto Foundation Backs Landmark Research to Unlock the Code of Asian Prevalent Diseases
Understanding Asian Cancers and Diabetes Through an Asian Lens SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 June 2025 - Tanoto Foundation today announced the funding of two transformative, Singapore-based medical research projects focused on diseases that disproportionately affect Asian populations: prevalent and aggressive cancers, and young-onset Type 2 diabetes. The multi-year initiatives aim to generate data-driven insights that can accelerate diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and guide public health policy. Despite global strides in medicine, Asia continues to face rising rates of cancer and diabetes – diseases that are biologically and clinically distinct in Asian populations but remain under-researched due to a lack of region-specific data. The two research projects, from National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore General Hospital, will focus on filling these gaps through deep genomic studies and innovative risk-prediction models. Imelda Tanoto, Member of the Board of Trustees, Tanoto Foundation said: "Singapore is well-positioned to lead in medical science. It has strong research institutions and a population that reflects the diversity of Asia. By supporting researchers here who are focused on health issues that affect Asians, we hope to help drive discoveries that make a real difference to people's lives — both in Singapore and across the region." Tackling Asian-Prevalent Cancers Led by Dr Jason Chan, Medical Oncologist, National Cancer Centre Singapore, the research will investigate four types of cancers with high prevalence and poor outcomes in Asia: Breast Cancer in Asian Women, marked by earlier onset and biological differences compared to Western populations T/NK-Cell Lymphomas, an aggressive blood cancer dominant in East Asians with limited treatment options Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma), increasingly linked to environmental exposures specific to Asia Rare Asian Cancers, collectively neglected but accounting for up to 25% of all cases in the region These cancers are devastating but remain poorly understood because most research has focused on Western populations," said Dr Chan. "By decoding their molecular and genomic landscapes in Asian patients, we want to uncover new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities to benefit patients." A key feature of the project is its open-access commitment: anonymised data will be freely available to the broader research community to accelerate further discovery and collaboration. Unmasking Diabetes Risk in Young Singaporeans The second research project, led by Dr Daphne Gardner, Endocrinologist, Singapore General Hospital, will address the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes in young adults, particularly prevalent in Singapore, where 1 in 5 young adults have prediabetes or diabetes, despite being of normal weight. Unlike traditional assessments that rely heavily on BMI and family history, this project will develop a next-generation risk prediction tool by incorporating non-traditional indicators such as body fat distribution, continuous glucose monitoring, and health-seeking behaviour. "Many young Asians with diabetes don't fit the usual risk profile. They're lean, active, and often overlooked by current screening models," said Dr Gardner. "We want to change that by identifying new risk signals and developing tools that are tailored to Singapore's population and beyond." Findings from the study aim to inform national diabetes screening guidelines and lead to earlier interventions that can curb long-term complications. Singapore as a Hub for Medical Research Advancement In addition to previously supported research projects, these two initiatives reflect a growing recognition of Singapore's role in advancing precision medicine for Asian populations, driven by strong clinical infrastructure, genomic capabilities, and public-private partnerships. Imelda Tanoto added: "We believe precision health can change how we treat and prevent diseases. We're supporting researchers who are not only breaking new ground, but also making sure their work reaches people and communities across Asia. This is something deeply personal to us — it's about improving lives in a way that's inclusive, meaningful, and lasting." This announcement marks a key milestone in Tanoto Foundation's continuing effort to improve the quality of healthcare and health standards, leading to longer and better healthspans. Hashtag: #TanotoFoundation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Tanoto Foundation At Tanoto Foundation, we unlock human potential, help communities thrive, and create lasting impact. Founded in 1981 by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, we are an independent family foundation that believes in providing every person with the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. To do so, we catalyse systems change in education and healthcare. Our approach is impact-first, collaborative, and evidence-based. We invest for the long term and strive to develop leaders who can drive sustained, positive outcomes. More information is available at Tanoto Foundation
