The Nucleate Artery: Timeless solutions in Aging, Cancer, and China’s evolving biomedical landscape
The Nucleate Artery: Timeless solutions in Aging, Cancer, and China’s evolving biomedical landscape
We are The Nucleate Artery, a monthly newsletter focused on the latest Singaporean biotech research and events. Chat with us via our Slack community: @Senuri De Silva @Damien Chua @Jiaqi Liang.
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Firstly, a huge thank you to those who have taken the time to give us your valuable feedback ❤️We heard you, and this year we’re bringing you more Digestibles and a brand new Industry News section! We’ll also be reporting Event Takeaways on an ad-hoc basis, to ensure that we’re razor-focused on bringing you the highest quality nuggets of wisdom.
And now, let’s get into the rest of the article! Enjoy!
🍽️ Digestibles
High potential SG research, hot off the press
AGING: Inhibiting IL-11 could reverse aging
As we age, our metabolism slows down significantly, leading to health issues like diabetes and obesity. With Singapore's population aging rapidly, these issues pose a significant healthcare burden, making a deeper understanding of aging more crucial than ever. The drivers of aging is a complex puzzle that scientists are gradually piecing together, and a breakthrough has just emerged from Duke-NUS. Dr. Anissa Widjaja and her team have uncovered a key puzzle piece: a protein called IL-11. This protein is known for promoting inflammation and fibrosis - two key factors in aging. Intriguingly, the team discovered that by inhibiting IL-11, they could significantly improve metabolism and extend lifespans in old mice. The animals shifted from producing white fat to brown fat, which is more effective at breaking down blood sugar and fat to generate heat and burn calories. Furthermore, the mice exhibited enhanced muscle function and overall health, with protection from age-associated obesity and weakness. Notably, the mice's lifespans increased by up to 25%, and they even exhibited a more youthful appearance. These findings suggest that targeting IL-11 could offer similar benefits in humans, potentially leading to healthier aging and longer lives. The fountain of youth may be closer than we think!
Find more about IL-11 and aging:
Singapore’s Enleofen Bio develops novel therapeutics for fibro-inflammatory diseases by targeting the IL-11 pathway
Check out this review paper by Carlos, et al. discussing the hallmarks of aging and how they are interconnected.
Join the Healthy Longevity Webinar Series, hosted by Duke-NUS, on the first three Thursdays of every month from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
AGING: Aging-related muscular wasting: a new targetable modality for muscular regeneration
Aging also gives rise to functional decline, and a common problem experienced by elderlies is muscle wasting (or sarcopenia) – a visible issue that directly reduces their quality of life. Yet, there are still no treatment options for patients suffering from this, resulting in uncontrolled weakening of muscles as they age. A team of DukeNUS researchers led by Prof. Tang Hong Wan have uncovered a method to reverse this process. They found that in aged mice, DEAF1 protein is up-regulated in muscle stem cells (MuSCs) – causing an increase in programmed cell death. This results in the lack of muscle regeneration capabilities – a major hallmark of muscle decline found in aged patients. Consequently, the authors revealed that in aged mice treated with shRNA to reduce expression of DEAF1 protein in MuSCs, muscular functions of these mice were significantly restored. This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for new treatment options aimed at combating muscle loss in aging and disease, potentially revolutionizing how we approach muscle health and recovery.
Could this be the next big thing after GLP-1 obesity drugs?
Companies are rushing to find ways to prevent muscle loss from rapid weight loss or old age.
CANCER: New hope for treating aggressive brain cancer
IDH-wild-type glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer with a high recurrence rate and a grim prognosis, with survival typically ranging from 1.5 to 2 years. Despite the development of treatments involving kinase inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors—effectively treating this cancer remains a significant challenge. In search of new therapeutic strategies, Dr. Wu Lele and his team at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, have explored the potential of targeting the RNA–RNA-binding protein complex LOC–DHX15. This complex helps create a feedback loop between cancer and immune cells, making the tumor more aggressive by activating cancer-promoting pathways. Remarkably, targeting this complex with small molecules that can cross the blood-brain barrier has been shown to reverse immunosuppression and improve treatment outcomes. By disrupting the LOC-DHX15 complex in combination with telozolomide therapy, the current standard of care, the team disrupted critical cell communication, impairing cancer cell survival and preventing them from replicating indefinitely. This innovative approach opens up promising possibilities for developing new immunotherapies that could significantly benefit patients with IDH-wild-type glioblastomas in the near future.
For more on this aggressive brain cancer:
Learn more about glioblastoma prevalence and treatment options in Singapore.
Moleculin Biotech recently started a Phase II trial for their glioblastoma treatment.
CANCER: Novel target for multiple myeloma also serves a co-treatment to first-line drug resistance
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the bone marrow that plagues patients worldwide. As such the addressable market for MM is USD 16.4 Billion in 2023 and it is expected to increase 6-fold to USD 38.4 Billion by 2036, indicating a harrowing situation for MM patients. Despite recent advances in MM pipeline drugs such as immunotherapeutics and protease inhibitors, patients continue to be haunted by high relapse rates within the first 4 years of remission – indicating a pressing need for therapeutics that target the cancer at its roots. In a recent study by Xiong et al., from Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, the authors identified a hyperactive cancer-causing gene PPP1R15B that drives cancer proliferation by inhibiting normal cell death responses. Further, they noticed reports of MM gaining resistance to bortezomib, a first-line MM drug. These MM cells were able to gain resistance through inhibition of normal cell death responses, in similar fashion to PPP1R15B’s pro-cancer mechanism. Indeed, they found that therapeutically suppressing PPP1R15B was able to re-sensitize resistant MM cells to bortezomib. The use of combination treatment to enhance the effectiveness of a well-established MM drug could see this strategy benefiting patients in the near future!
Maximize your MM musings:
CAR-T therapy is another promising treatment for MM.
See how Singapore’s own CytoMed Therapeutics is fighting cancer, including MM, with CAR-T therapy.
🗞️ Industry Spotlight
News from the Singapore life sciences industry
Cancer therapeutics startup PairX Bio wins the Amgen Golden Ticket Award.
AI-guided drug discovery startup BluMaiden lands funding for commercialization in Singapore & US
Aevice Health, which has developed one of the first remote patient monitors designed for chronic respiratory disease patients, secures $7M Seed Plus funding to expand their operations in Singapore, US and Japan.
After being the first Asian-headquartered company to secure US Medicare approval, Lucence expands the global reach of its cancer detection service.
Duke-NUS launches LIVE Ventures, a S$20 million incubator to accelerate research commercialisation, offering up to $500,000 for high-potential academic research projects at the university.
Associate Professor Lena Ho from Duke-NUS has been awarded US$1.85 million from LIVE Ventures and 65LAB to further her team’s research in developing anti-inflammatory therapeutics
Duke-NUS Emerging Disease Programme Associate Professor St John clinched the Tanoto Foundation Medical Research award of $1 million to accelerate their research on early childhood allergies.
🥡 Event Takeaways
Exclusive insights from biotech events in SG
In an EXCEL seminar series organized by the NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Prof. Wong Tien Yin delivered an engaging sharing on China’s evolving biomedical research and healthcare landscape. A packed lecture theater of students, researchers and clinicians were captivated by his candid insights and experiences as he offered a glimpse into China’s lesser known ecosystem. But Prof. Wong’s talk did more than just inform - it inspired. His pioneering career path served as a shining example, encouraging many in the audience to follow a similar trailblazing spirit in their own professional journeys.
Prof. Wong is a highly accomplished academic leader, innovator, and physician-scientist. He has held multiple pivotal leadership positions at the Singapore National Eye Centre, SingHealth, Duke-NUS Medical School, and moved to China in 2022 to build and head Tsinghua University’s medical school.
How much do we know about China?
When we think of the top institutions and ecosystems for biomedical sciences research, China probably does not come to mind for most Singaporeans. However, over the past few decades, China has made remarkable strides in this field, excelling particularly in basic science research, high-volume surgical trials and bioengineering/AI development. The quantity and even quality of scientific publications now rivals, and in some cases exceeds, that of the United States. Perhaps most notably, Prof. Wong highlighted the hunger and work ethic of the young Chinese students, describing a palpable sense of determination and ambition. The trajectory of progress looks exceptionally promising.
A universal need for systems to drive healthcare translation and innovation
Despite the impressive progress in basic research, translational and clinical research has not quite caught up. To further complicate things, China's healthcare system is facing significant challenges posed by an aging population and the increased prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes. In other words, the publicly funded biomedical research in China has yet to fully translate into tangible benefits for the very people who funded it. China needed a more “end-to-end” cohesive system in place to bridge the gap between academic discovery and clinical application. This required close coordination between diverse key stakeholders - comprehensive universities and medical schools focused on discovery, basic research and talent development; translational medicine centers to bridge discoveries with practical applications; and healthcare and hospital systems driving clinical studies, adoption and implementation.
Importantly, Prof. Wong observed that these challenges and needs are not unique to China; Singapore, too, has grappled with similar issues 1-2 decades ago. Where Singapore has gained a significant edge, is by recognizing early on the challenges and necessity for robust integrated systems and multi-stakeholder policy support in healthcare innovation, having laid the groundwork for this over the past decades. Notably, one area where Singapore has excelled is leveraging our small size, few players and highly interconnected nature. A prime example of this strategic advantage is the purposeful positioning of our three medical schools, each built adjacent to a major public hospital. As Prof. Wong quipped, the physical walkways linking these medical schools to their neighboring hospitals are indispensable in promoting stronger collaboration and interaction. Building bridges extends beyond the metaphorical here!
Bridging East and West: balancing our partnerships
While Singapore has prided herself on being the bridge between East and West, Prof. Wong’s talk has inevitably raised questions about Singapore’s comfort and bias towards the English language, Western systems and partnerships. How many of us know colleagues who have done an exchange or training in the United States, compared to those who have pursued similar opportunities in China? While exchanges and training with world-renowned institutions like Cambridge or Johns Hopkins are undoubtedly valuable, perhaps it's time to broaden our horizons and consider more opportunities with China. This balanced approach could position Singapore as a true bridge between East and West, leveraging the strengths of both regions to drive innovation and progress in healthcare and biomedical research.
Build win-win partnerships through personal connections
So, where are the opportunities for collaboration?
For one, Singapore's proven strengths in translational innovations and biobanks complement China's capabilities in running high-volume, lower cost clinical trials. This synergy presents clear avenues for mutually beneficial research partnerships.
Singapore has also cultivated expertise in cross-disciplinary systems building, bringing together diverse talents, policies, and infrastructure to create a powerful enabling ecosystem. These are valuable experiences that we could share with China.
Above all, Prof. Wong also highlighted the importance of building lasting relationships with people, rather than organizations. These relationships are highly valued in China, often transcending individual job roles and continuing even after someone has moved to a new organization.
From global partnerships to personal growth: navigating your career path
Regardless of which landscape one chooses to work in the future, one must remain bold and proactive in charting our career paths. In an intimate Ask-Me-Anything session following the talk (shoutout to LKCLearn for organising this specially for early career researchers and students!), Prof. Wong addressed the common dilemma of choosing between two seemingly divergent career paths. Industry or academia? Clinical practice or research?
His advice was refreshingly practical: "When you're young, explore around and seek out more exposure and learning opportunities. If you do well in a new place, it doesn't mean you cannot or need to go back to your old job. It can actually open up more opportunities." This perspective challenges the fear many have about making the 'wrong' choice and getting stuck, encouraging us to view diverse experiences as assets rather than detours. Drawing an analogy from Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In” (a must-read for young professionals!), perhaps we should stop looking at our career path as a linear ladder, but rather a jungle gym - with a multitude of different opportunities and routes to the top.
“Systems and policies will never change fast enough for you; you have to seize the opportunities as they come and fight for your own exceptions”
Robust systems and policies are crucial for driving systemic change, but do not always serve the young. This powerful statement underscores the importance of proactive career development, even when it defies the status quo. Prof. Wong's own career path exemplifies the value of challenging norms. His decision to pursue a PhD after medical school was once met with skepticism. “You have a medical degree, so you should be a practicing doctor. Why do you need a PhD?” It turned out he was ahead of his time and policies then. Now, clinician-scientists are valued in both Singapore and China. Singapore also offers substantial support for this lengthy training, including A*STAR’s through-train MBBS-PhD scholarship. But he could not have waited for these accommodating policies to materialize.
Have you let opportunities slip away because the path forward was not yet well-trodden? As you chart your own professional journey, heed Prof. Wong’s wisdom: be bold, be resourceful, and dare to fight for your own exceptions. The future belongs to those who are willing to blaze new trails.
Could we be seeing more policy-driven collaborative partnerships between China and Singapore soon?
One of our writers is actually doing an exchange in Shenzhen right now! Connect with Damien on our Slack community and ask him anything.
Need some practical tips in finding the right career fit? Check out our May 2024 issue.
Find out how Nucleate Singapore can support your career exploration in the life sciences industry!
🎧 Nucleate Singapore Pulse
Fermenting sustainable foodtech with TurtleTree’s Fengru Lin
We interviewed Fengru Lin, the founder and CEO of TurtleTree, a pioneering biotech company that has developed the world’s first sustainably produced lactoferrin “LF+” using precision fermentation technology. Find out how she successfully transitioned from a tech to biotech, navigated product-market fit challenges, and built a team that is revolutionizing the dairy industry.
📆 Events happening this month
Fireside chat/Panel discussion
(22 Aug, 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM, in person)
China Market Access: Insights for Start-ups
(20 Aug, 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM, in person)
Conference
(27 - 28 Aug, 09:00 AM, in person)
Singapore Healthcare Engineering Conference 2024
Submit your abstract by 6 Sep
(3 - 4 Oct Full day, in person)
From Cohorts to Clinics: The New Landscape of Global Healthcare
(21 - 23 Aug, 08:30 AM, in person)
Networking Event
BMES x MEDTECH Networking Dinner 2024
(23 Aug, 6.30 PM - 9:00 PM, in person)
Sat Health & Bio Brews Singapore (Every Sat)
(17, 24 Aug, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, in person)
Weds Health/Bio Coffee Club Singapore
(21 Aug, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, in person)
Course
Market Entry Strategies for Startups
(15 Aug, 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM, in person)
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