From Breakthrough Hypothesis to Over 100 Recovered Veterinary Patients

A research initiative from the National University of Singapore has demonstrated how engineered mesenchymal stem cells can progress from laboratory discovery to real-world therapeutic impact. Developed by AGEMBio, the therapy uses MSCs engineered with a cytosine deaminase kill-switch that homes to tumours, converts a prodrug into localised 5-fluorouracil and activates innate immune pathways including cGAS-STING. This enables targeted anti-cancer activity with minimal systemic exposure.

Working closely with a regional veterinary network, the team deployed the therapy in nearly 100 dogs and cats with advanced cancers such as perianal adenoma, metastases and sarcoma. Many animals experienced tumour regression, remission or improved quality of life, and no major systemic side effects were observed. One dog with a tumour near the eye recovered fully without loss of vision, demonstrating the precision of localised cell-based delivery.

Encouraged by these outcomes, the team is completing manufacturing validation by the third quarter of 2025 ahead of a first-in-human trial at the National University Hospital. The initial study, planned for end-2025, will focus on recurrent glioblastoma, followed by larger patient cohorts in subsequent phases.

AGEM Bio Partners with TISTR to Advance Cell Therapies in Thailand

In a major step forward for regenerative medicine in Southeast Asia, AGEM Bio has established a strategic partnership with the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research. This trilateral alliance brings together AGEM Bio’s immunotherapy platforms, TISTR’s scientific oversight and Vega’s clinical implementation expertise to accelerate next-generation cell therapy development in Thailand.

The collaborative effort focuses on adapting and validating AGEM Bio’s immune cell technologies for clinical use. These include cancer-targeting allogeneic immune cells and macrophage-based “cleaner” cells designed to reshape hostile tumour environments. These platforms have already shown strong preclinical performance and encouraging outcomes in compassionate-use veterinary cases. Under this partnership, human clinical trials in Thailand are expected to begin by early 2026, with glioblastoma selected as the first indication.

Strengthening Cell Manufacturing Capabilities with STEMGOLD

To support the growing demand for scalable and reliable cell manufacturing, AGEM Bio has introduced a portfolio of enabling technologies, beginning with STEMGOLD, an MSC culture medium engineered for rapid expansion and reduced senescence. STEMGOLD demonstrated cell viability consistently above 90 percent through passages P2 to P5, with some batches reaching 98.4 percent. It supported a population doubling time of approximately 16 hours and enabled production projections of up to 7.5 billion cells within nine days from a single vial.

STEMGOLD is available in both RUO and GMP formats for research and clinical manufacturing.

AGEM Bio has also developed two complementary biobanking and transport solutions for sensitive human MSCs. CryoEase PF is a DMSO and protein free cryopreservation formulation designed for both frozen storage and hypothermic transport, helping maintain cell integrity during cold-chain operations.

HypoGuard is a serum, xeno and protein free hypothermic preservation medium formulated specifically for transporting cellular specimens under controlled low-temperature conditions. Together, CryoEase PF and HypoGuard address critical upstream needs in MSC-based therapy workflows by improving cell stability, logistics readiness and manufacturing consistency.

These products are exclusively available through Atlantis Bioscience, supporting regional researchers with validated, scalable and clinically aligned tools for cell manufacturing and preservation.

Singapore and Thailand are advancing a connected ecosystem for next-generation cell therapies. Veterinary success in Singapore, combined with regional alliances, clinical planning and new manufacturing tools from AGEM Bio, reflects growing momentum toward accessible and evidence-driven regenerative medicine across Southeast Asia.