Under the collaboration, A*STAR will offer its iPSC banks, specialised monoclonal antibody assets, process scaling, and analytics skills whereas SCG Cell Therapy will provide its automated and specialised cell therapy manufacturing technologies
SCG Cell Therapy and A*STAR’s representatives at the launch ceremony of the joint labs. (Credit: SCG Cell Therapy Pte Ltd (SCG))
SCG Cell Therapy and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have launched joint laboratories with a funding of nearing S$30m ($22m) to manufacture cellular immunotherapies.
Backed by Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan (RIE2025), the partnership is intended to further the development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology.
Singapore-based SCG Cell Therapy and A*STAR will work together to generate innovative cell therapies that adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines.
In addition, the cooperation will build a talent development programme to teach the next generation of specialists in this field as per the current GMP and regulatory requirements.
The joint labs’ launch expands upon current licensing, research partnership, and a memorandum of understanding between the parties.
SCG Cell Therapy chief strategy officer Christy Ma said: “Through this first-of-its-kind joint collaboration with A*STAR, we bring together A*STAR’s advanced iPSC technology and bioprocessing capabilities with our expertise in GMP cell therapy manufacturing and clinical development, furthering our mission to provide affordable off-the-shelf cell therapy treatment options to patients.”
The combined laboratories were set up within the research and GMP facilities of SCG and A*STAR. They use the exclusive technology of both companies to create scalable GMP-grade iPSC products.
Under the collaboration, A*STAR will offer its iPSC banks, specialised monoclonal antibody assets, process scaling and analytics skills.
On the other hand, SCG Cell Therapy will provide its automated and specialised cell therapy manufacturing technologies.
The partnership will combine resources from SCG Cell Therapy and A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) and Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) to advance research and development (R&D) for GMP manufacturing.
A*STAR BTI executive director Koh Boon Tong said: “Through this collaboration with SCG Cell Therapy, we aim to accelerate the translation of iPSC research into clinically viable therapies and strengthen Singapore’s position as a global leader in cell therapy innovation.
“By leveraging our complementary expertise and resources, the joint labs will not only advance iPSC technology for scalable, GMP-compliant cell therapy production but also serve as a platform for nurturing the next generation of talent in this transformative field.”