Organizations Plan to Jointly Advance
Breakthrough Solutions in Human Health and Sustainability, Drive
Research Collaboration, Entrepreneurship and Accelerate Talent
Development
SINGAPORE, Oct. 2, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR), Singapore's lead public
sector R&D agency, and Flagship Pioneering,
the bioplatform innovation company, today announced plans to
collaborate to advance health and sustainability outcomes in
Singapore and the broader
Asia Pacific region. In this
collaboration, A*STAR and Flagship will jointly commit up to
SGD100 million over the next five
years.
A*STAR and Flagship outlined the goals of their collaboration
via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed Tuesday. The
collaboration will promote research and development activities
between A*STAR research institutes and Flagship portfolio
companies, to co-develop technologies in strategically important
areas. Talent development is another pillar of the collaboration,
with potential scientific dialogues and internship opportunities at
Flagship and its portfolio companies.
Together, A*STAR and Flagship seek to spur innovation and
venture creation activities that help create and grow Flagship
companies in Singapore. Flagship
will contribute its signature approach to company creation and
development while A*STAR will contribute its expertise in science
and technology through access to its scientists and facilities.
This MOU will have the potential to expand and foster
collaborations among key players across Singapore's biotech ecosystem.
"By joining forces, Flagship and A*STAR can further boost the
already thriving life sciences ecosystem in Singapore and beyond, with breakthrough
research, purposeful entrepreneurship and accelerated talent
development," said André Andonian, Chair of Asia Pacific and Strategic Advisor, Flagship
Pioneering. "This collaboration blends scientific acumen and
entrepreneurial spirit and will further accelerate and expand
Flagship's impact globally. We are pleased to announce this
collaboration with A*STAR within the first year of opening our new
Asia Pacific hub, located in
Singapore."
"We are excited to be working with globally-recognized venture
builders like Flagship Pioneering, to bring new companies with
cutting-edge technologies in areas of strategic interest to
Singapore," said Irene Cheong, Assistant Chief Executive at
A*STAR's Innovation & Enterprise Group. "This collaboration is
a key step in nurturing our entrepreneurial talent and exploring
new, innovative approaches to venture building. As we continue to
expand these partnerships, we are confident that they will drive
significant growth in Singapore's
innovation landscape and advance Singapore's position as a global hub for
biotechnological innovations."
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is
Singapore's lead public sector
R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our
partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the
economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation,
A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research
creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving
societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.
A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders
for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D
activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and
engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis
and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
About Flagship Pioneering
Flagship Pioneering invents and builds bioplatform companies,
each with the potential for multiple products that transform human
health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has
originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures,
resulting in more than $75 billion in
aggregate value. To date, Flagship has deployed over $3.8 billion in capital toward the founding and
growth of its pioneering companies alongside more than $27 billion of follow-on investments from other
institutions. The current Flagship ecosystem comprises 40
companies, including Foghorn Therapeutics (NASDAQ:
FHTX), Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), Omega Therapeutics
(NASDAQ: OMGA), Sana Biotechnology (NASDAQ: SANA), Generate
Biomedicines, Inari, Indigo Agriculture, and Tessera
Therapeutics.
Media Contacts:
Flagship Pioneering
press@flagshippioneering.com
A*STAR
Nicolette_Ng@hq.a-star.edu.sg
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SOURCE Flagship Pioneering