Business
BioSpectrum Asia
Respiree gets HSA's approval for 1Bio AI-Acute toolbox to support healthcare
Singapore-based health-tech startup Respiree has received approval from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for its 1Bio AI-Acute toolbox as a Class B software-as-a-medical device (SaMD).
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2026
BioSpectrum Asia
Seeing Opportunity in Ophthalmology
Asia-Pacific is emerging as one of the most active regions for ophthalmology innovation. In recent months, a wave of cross-border partnerships and licensing deals has underscored both the scale of unmet need in eye disease and the region's growing ambition to play a larger role in treatment development. From glaucoma and retinal disorders to dry eye disease and childhood myopia, companies across pharma, biotech, and medtech are increasingly accelerating clinical progress.
6 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2026
BioSpectrum Asia
Fapon, Bio Farma partner to advance IVD localisation and innovation in Indonesia
PT Fapon Bioindustries Indonesia and the Indonesian state-owned pharmaceutical holding company PT Bio Farma (Persero) have signed a cooperation agreement.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2026
BioSpectrum Asia
Gavi and World Bank to boost health system resilience and regional vaccine manufacturing
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), and the World Bank Group are deepening their collaboration to strengthen financing for immunisation and primary healthcare systems, while also supporting regional vaccine manufacturing in Africa.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2026
BioSpectrum Asia
Australia invests $9.6 M to strengthen healthcare
The Australia government is investing $9.6 million into research to better support Australians who rely heavily on health services, helping to meet growing demand on the health system.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2026
BioSpectrum Asia
Korea, China, and Japan discuss cooperation on health policies
The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea government recently hosted the 18th Tripartite Health Ministers' Meeting as an opportunity for the three East Asian partner countries to identify shared health challenges and strengthen comprehensive cooperation.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2026
BioSpectrum Asia
"The next 5-years will see mRNA science evolve beyond infectious disease"
A new survey from Moderna Singapore reveals persistent vaccine hesitancy among older adults in Singapore, even as international travel and year-end gatherings increase the urgency of protection. The findings point to clear opportunities to strengthen public health, including empowering healthcare professionals as trusted messengers and promoting co-administration of vaccines.
4 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
No Funding No Vax for TB?
The World Health Organization (WHO)'s latest updates on tuberculosis (TB) released on November 12 reveal significant progress in diagnosis, treatment, and political commitment, but also expose deep vulnerabilities—especially in the South-East Asia Region (SEARO)—related to funding gaps and the uncertain future of novel TB vaccines. SEARO remains the global epicentre of the TB epidemic, carrying more than 45 per cent of the world's TB incidence despite representing only a quarter of the global population.
2 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Australia builds tailored heart pump to transform heart failure care
Despite making up half of the 64 million people living with heart failure, patients with this common form have no access to heart pump treatments and are left with only medication or palliative care.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Clinical Research Trends 2026: Hybrid DCTs Set for Surge as Innovation Outpaces Regulatory Hurdles
APAC's openness to innovation, combined with its large population and low trial density, creates strong potential for expanding decentralised clinical trials (DCTs), especially for patients with limited trial access. While regulatory diversity and operational challenges will continue to hinder fully decentralised models, the region is expected to adopt more digital technologies in clinical research. As a result, hybrid DCTs will keep gaining traction, and effective management of digitally collected data will remain a central focus for data science teams.
4 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
CSL Seqirus to localise advanced influenza vaccine manufacturing in Saudi Arabia
Australia-based CSL Seqirus and Vaccine Industrial Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to enhance the biotechnology sector by accessing advanced cellbased seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines and localising manufacturing in Saudi Arabia.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
How Sponsors Could Gain Advantage by Embracing Dose Optimisation in Asia by 2026
In 2026, oncology drug development in Asia may move away from the historical maximum tolerated dose (MTD) paradigm toward evidence-based dose optimisation. Sponsors might consider adopting strategies similar to the FDA's Project Optimus, which emphasises selecting doses that balance efficacy and safety rather than relying solely on toxicity thresholds. Doing so could improve patient outcomes and position companies favourably as regulatory expectations evolve.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Fujifilm launches joint research with National Cancer Center in Japan
Fujifilm Corporation has signed a joint research agreement with the National Cancer Center Japan, a Tokyo-based national institution recognised for its leadership in cancer care and research.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Monash spinout RAGE Biotech secures $29 M to advance next-generation RNA therapeutics
Australia's Monash University spinout RAGE Biotech has raised $29 million in Series A funding, marking a major step toward translating RNA-based therapeutics for chronic inflammatory disease into the clinic.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Submitting clinical data to the FDA and PDMA: An efficient and compliant approach
In both the US and Japan, regulators provide an extensive set of resources detailing the rules and specifications governing submissions for marketing approval of new drugs and biologics. Fortunately, despite some differences, the regulations concerning clinical data have a surprising amount in common. It is possible that with a solid understanding of the requirements and an adherence to best practices, sponsors can develop some of the same material for submission to both countries.
2 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Regenerative medicines and microbiome health are emerging as exciting frontiers, with Australian companies and researchers pushing into new therapeutic approaches
After more than a year at the helm of AusBiotech, CEO Rebekah Cassidy reflects on her early priorities and the organisation’s ambitions as Australia accelerates its position in the global life sciences economy. In an email interaction on the sidelines of AusBiotech 2025, she highlights the country's progress in mRNA, cell and gene therapy, and radiopharmaceuticals, outlines emerging areas of momentum, and discusses how new partnerships and MoUs are strengthening collaboration across the biotech ecosystem. Rebekah also outlines how AusBiotech is preparing Australia for a more competitive and connected global life sciences economy and the strategic priorities shaping AusBiotech’s next chapter. Edited excerpts:
7 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Rise of Global MedTech Innovation in APAC
Asia Pacific (APAC) region has become a key global hub for MedTech innovation, shifting from a cost focused region to a centre of early commercialisation, clinical validation and scalable solutions. Reports have revealed that the share of MedTech startups, over the years, from outside the region has doubled, from 15 per cent to 30 per cent, highlighting rising global interest in APAC as a strategic entry point. This shift is primarily driven by MedTech startups from the US, the UK, and Canada. Additionally, global companies are making efforts to nurture MedTech innovations in the region. Let's take a closer look at how this trend will shape up for 2026.
4 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
US advances women's health related to Hormone Replacement Therapy
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced historic action to restore gold-standard science to women's health.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Is China Poised to Overtake the US as Biotech's Global Powerhouse?
What was once the United States' unquestioned domain is now China's fastest-rising frontier. China's biotech sector is reshaping the global industry. Big pharma companies are deepening ties with Chinese biotechs, clinical trials are growing at record speed, and patent activity is surging. With all these milestones, is China poised to dethrone the United States as the benchmark for biotech innovation and market leadership? Let's find out.
4 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Singapore strengthens national blood supply
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Singapore Red Cross (SRC) have launched an enhanced \"Adopt a Bloodbank\" programme and a new Blood Partner Award to forge sustainable partnerships to create a vibrant blood donation scene in Singapore.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Health boost for Britain's forces as new NHS programme launches
Thousands of veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families to receive better healthcare in recognition of their service.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Vietnam launches project to accelerate cervical cancer testing
FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics), a global health non-profit based in Geneva, Switzerland, has launched a new project in partnership with the Hai Phong Department of Health, Vietnam to develop a copayment mechanism that will expand access to cervical cancer screening across Hai Phong.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Insilico and Lilly enter $100 M collaboration for AI-driven drug discovery
Hong Kong-based Insilico Medicine, a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, has announced a research collaboration with American pharma firm Eli Lilly, that the two parties will combine Insilico's state-of-the-art Pharma.AI platforms with Lilly's development and disease expertise to jointly discover and advance innovative therapies.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Monash University invests $1 B into new campus in Malaysia
Monash University Malaysia will partner with TRX City to deliver its 2.8 billion ringgit ($1 billion) local investment into a future Monash campus in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Cornerstone Robotics secures $200 M in oversubscribed funding
China-based startup Cornerstone Robotics, a leading global innovator in surgical robotics, has announced the closing of an oversubscribed new financing round of approximately $200 million.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Japan opens doors for RNA-based therapies and drug design
A group of researchers at Tokyo University of Science, Japan, are exploring whether a combination of state-of-the-art computational tools could reliably model the fundamental folding process of a significantly larger and more structurally diverse library of RNA stem loops than ever tested before.
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Omron invests in South Korean healthcare startup Sky Labs
South Korea-based healthcare startup Sky Labs has attracted investments with Omron Ventures, Omron Group's enterpriseled venture capital (CVC).
1 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
Blood-based Biomarkers and the New Landscape of Alzheimer's Research
For much of the past century, Alzheimer's disease has been one of medicine's most daunting frontiers—biologically complex, devastating in impact, and difficult to diagnose early. Conventional diagnostic methods like positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis offer precision but remain invasive, costly, and logistically challenging, especially in low- and middle-income regions.
2 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
PIVOTING PHARMA STRATEGY TOWARD NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The United States has effectively shut the door on several Indian medicines after President Donald Trump imposed a steep 100 per cent duty on branded and patented drugs.
3 min |
BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025
BioSpectrum Asia
India lays focus on evidence-based healthcare decision-making
India's National Health Authority (NHA), the implementing agency of Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
1 min |