Dr. Abbas Sahili is the CTO of Singzyme, a biotechnology company pioneering next-generation bioconjugation technologies. With a strong background in biochemistry and structural biology, Abbas brings deep scientific expertise and entrepreneurial vision to the field of precision medicine. His transition from academia to biotech leadership is marked by a commitment to developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that are more efficient, effective, and accessible. Under his leadership, Singzyme has developed a proprietary platform leveraging Peptide Asparaginyl Ligase (PAL) technology, setting a new standard in ADC manufacturing and performance.

In this episode, Dr. Abbas Sahili walks us through his unique journey from academic research in structural biology to founding Singzyme, a cutting-edge biotech startup. He shares the motivations that led him to pivot from lab-based research to real-world therapeutic development and the founding story of Singzyme.

Dr. Sahili breaks down complex concepts like antibody-drug conjugates and bioconjugation in a way that’s easy to understand. He discusses Singzyme’s PAL technology, a novel enzymatic platform that offers significant advantages over traditional methods, particularly in oncology and diagnostic imaging. He explains how PAL improves efficiency and precision in linking payloads to antibodies, unlocking new possibilities in targeted therapies and radiodiagnostics.

He also sheds light on the operational and strategic challenges faced by a young biotech company and outlines how Singzyme is overcoming them through innovation, industry partnerships, and a strong vision. Looking ahead, Abbas discusses the potential for expanding beyond cancer into other areas like autoimmune and infectious diseases, and the roadmap for product development and partnerships.

Host: Dillon Chew Editors: Hana Maldivita Tambrin, Aakash S/O Naresh Kumar, Dillon Chew

• 01:10 Dr. Sahili’s Background and Academic Journey
• 04:30 Transition from Research to Entrepreneurship
• 07:00 Founding Story of Singzyme
• 10:15 Overview of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
• 13:45 What Makes PAL Technology Unique
• 17:30 Challenges in Traditional Bioconjugation Methods
• 21:00 Application of PAL in Radiodiagnostics
• 24:45 Singzyme’s Milestones Since 2021
• 28:30 Partnerships and Industry Collaboration
• 32:15 Future Expansion Beyond Oncology
• 36:00 Roadmap for the Next 3–5 Years
• 40:20 Advice for Young Scientists and Aspiring Founders