Nucleate Singapore Pulse

Dr. Robert Ang is the CEO of Vor Bio, a clinical-stage cell and genome engineering therapy company. In this episode, Dr. Ang discusses the challenges of treating cancer, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and the need for new and innovative approaches. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating clinical trials during the pandemic and securing funding for research and development. Lastly, he explains how Vor Bio is using cell and gene therapies, such as CAR-T cells and genome engineering, to target AML and potentially cure patients. Host: John Joson NgEditors: Jessie Wong, John Joson NgThe show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found onnucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.org. 01:15 - Introduction07:47 - Cancer and treatment modalities12:02 - Vor’s approach to treating AML31:55 - Investing in clinical manufacturing34:21 - Navigating clinical trials and funding during the pandemic39:53 - Looking ahead

Dr. Guy Heathers is the Chief Business Officer and one of the co-founders of Albatroz Therapeutics. In this episode, Dr. Guy Heathers shares his insights and experiences in the biotech industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by startups in Singapore. He discusses the importance of patent protection, the need for strong product development capabilities, and the significance of effective interaction with pharma companies. Dr. Heathers emphasizes the value of pursuing first-in-class innovations and the importance of confidence and conviction in the entrepreneurial journey. He also provides advice for academic trainees and early career professionals, encouraging them to take their time and enjoy the process of building a successful career in biotech. Host: John Joson Ng Editors: Jessie Wong, John Joson Ng The show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found on nucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.org. 01:22 - Establishing Albatroz Therapeutics 06:59 - Challenges and deliverables in biotech startups 10:11 - Differences in modalities and investor appetite 16:28 - Key ingredients for competitive biotech startups 25:29 - Personal advice and future outlook

Dr. Guy Heathers is the Chief Business Officer and one of the co-founders of Albatroz Therapeutics, a preclinical stage biotech company focused on developing therapeutic antibodies and antibody drug conjugates for the treatment of solid tumors and arthritis. In this episode, Dr. Guy Heathers shares his extensive experience in the biotech industry and discusses the challenges and opportunities in Singapore's biotech ecosystem. He talks about how he became involved in building the biotech industry in Singapore. Dr. Heathers also reflects on the progress and setbacks in the Singapore biotech scene, highlighting the importance of having a clear business strategy and the need for specialized biotech investors. He emphasizes the global mindset and the potential for biotech companies to make a significant impact on a global scale. Host: John Joson NgEditors: Jessie Wong, John Joson NgThe show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found onnucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.org. 01:03 - Introduction06:28 - Getting invovled with Singapore's nascent biotech ecosystem10:17 - Early successes16:16 - Mindset shift26:37 - Tessa's closure and lessons learned

Levana Sani is the co-founder and CEO of NalaGenetics. In this episode, Levana shares how her background in biochemistry and her MBA from Harvard Business School helped shape her understanding of the business side of science. She explains the four main problems NalaGenetics aims to solve in the field of genetic testing and the challenges they faced in the early stages. Additionally, she highlights the differences in commercialisation in Singapore and Indonesia, and the current challenges faced with the adoption and application of pharmacogenomics in clinics. Host: Jessie WongEditors: Jessie Wong, John Joson Ng The show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found onnucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.org. 01:00 - Introduction05:09 - Early beginnings of NalaGenetics12:11 - Product development and market expansion17:10 - Technology and democratization of genetics24:15 - Future outlook

Dr. Massimo Alberti is the CEO and co-founder of REVIVO BioSystems. In this episode, Dr. Alberti shares valuable insights into the process of spinning off a technology from an academic setting. He discusses the genesis of REVIVO BioSystems, the development of their innovative 4D human tissue models, and the pivotal role of perseverance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and client feedback in shaping REVIVO BioSystems' trajectory. Aspiring biomedical entrepreneurs and young scientists will find inspiration in Dr. Alberti's entrepreneurial journey, along with actionable advice for navigating the transition from academia to startup. Host: Jessie WongEditors: Jessie Wong, John Joson Ng The show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found onnucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.org. 01:07 Introduction04:52 What REVIVO BioSystems offers09:13 Challenges and triumphs of early development11:08 Navigating the investment landscape24:02 Overcoming regulatory hurdles and industry standards32:51 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Dr. Carolyn Ng is the Managing Director and Partner of TPG Life Sciences Innovations. With a decade of expertise in life sciences investment under her belt, she's the powerhouse behind infusing capital into groundbreaking startup companies in precision oncology, immunology, ophthalmology, metabolic diseases, and rare diseases. In this episode, Dr. Carolyn Ng shares her journey from academia to venture capital and discusses the investment thesis of her company. She also shares her insights on startup success factors - robust IP, strategic partnerships, and a stellar team. Plus, get the lowdown on navigating macroeconomic headwinds and savvy exit strategies for biotech companies. Host: John Joson Ng Editors: Jessie Wong, John Joson Ng The show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found on nucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.org.

Dr. Jonathan Ng is the CEO and founder of Iterative Health, a company that focuses on AI diagnostics for gastrointestinal diseases. In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Ng discusses his journey from medical school to entrepreneurship and the development of AI diagnostics for gastrointestinal diseases. He shares his experiences in healthcare and the challenges he faced in starting a company focused on AI. He also talks about the importance of mentorship and the role of AI in transforming healthcare. He emphasizes the need for business model innovation and the gradual adoption of AI tools in order to ensure patient safety and improve outcomes. Host: John Joson Ng Editors: Jessie Wong, John Joson Ng The show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found on ⁠nucleatesingapore.substack.com⁠. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via ⁠johnjoson.n@nucleate.xyz⁠.

Prof. Dean Ho is the Provost’s Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singapore. He is also the Director of the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) and The N.1 Institute for Health, and one of the Scientific Co-Founders of KYAN Technologies. In this episode, Prof. Ho discusses the importance of accessibility and community in fostering innovation. He highlights the role of academia in bridging the gap between innovation and real-world impact. Prof. Ho also shares his experience in setting up a biotech company in both the US and Singapore, emphasizing the ease and agility of the Singaporean ecosystem. He discusses the opportunities for AI in healthcare, particularly in clinical trial design and digital therapeutics. Prof. Ho also mentions the importance of a human talent pipeline to support the growing biotech industry in Singapore. Host: John Joson Ng Editors: Jessie Wong, John Joson Ng The show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found on nucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.xyz.

A/Prof. Jeremy Lim is the director of the Leadership Institute for Global Health Transformation at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and the CEO and co-founder of Asian Microbiome Library (AMILI). In this episode, he discusses his transition from surgical practice to public health, policy, and entrepreneurship. He explains the important work of cataloguing the Asian microbiome and describes the work AMILI has undertaken in building the world's largest multiethnic Asian microbiome database. He highlights the potential of personalized gut health treatments and the role of partnerships in advancing research and development. A/Prof. Lim also shares his insights on Singapore's healthcare system and the challenges and opportunities in the biotech ecosystem. The show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found on nucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.xyz.

Dr. Tan Min-Han, founder and CEO of Lucence, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of precision health in Singapore and the region. He shares his journey from being a medical oncologist and researcher to becoming an entrepreneur focused on noninvasive early detection of cancer through liquid biopsies. In this episode, he emphasizes the urgent need for early cancer detection, as 80% of cancer deaths are from unscreened cancers. Listen as he highlights the challenges of implementing change in healthcare systems and the importance of engaging stakeholders to address these gaps. Finally, he also discusses Lucence's expansion to the United States and China, as well as the company's mission to bridge the gap in cancer detection worldwide. The show notes and transcripts for the episode can be found on nucleatesingapore.substack.com. For feedback or recommendations on who we should talk to next, please reach out to Joson Ng via johnjoson.n@nucleate.xyz.

Who are the stakeholders in Singapore's biotech ecosystem? What's it like to build a startup here in Singapore? And how have Singaporean founders blazed new trails locally or overseas in the biotech space?  Find out the answers to these questions here on Nucleate Singapore Pulse, Singapore’s premier podcast on the biotech ecosystem. Whether you’re a student thinking about creating your own startup or an industry professional looking for diverse perspectives, this is the podcast for you.  Nucleate Singapore Pulse is available on Substack, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The show notes and transcripts can be found on nucleatesingapore.substack.com. Subscribe and follow us to keep your finger on the pulse of Singapore’s biotech ecosystem. Host: John Joson Ng (MD-PhD Candidate, Duke-NUS Medical School)