Success Stories
Making the Early Detection of Cancer a Reality
Driven by its vision of becoming the world’s biotechnology hub, òòò½Íøhas developed a mature, government-backed biomedical research ecosystem. This system is supported by an interwoven network of public institutions, private firms and government agencies.
As one of the pistons propelling the city-state’s dynamic biotech landscape, is a pioneering RNA technology company that has made major breakthroughs in early disease detection, particularly in the battle against cancer. Through collaborative programmes and government initiatives, the company has fuelled its growth by leveraging Singapore’s unique geographical location, talent pool and diverse patient populations.
From bench to bedside
Founded in 2014, Mirxes is a spin-off from the òòò½Íø, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Dr Zhou Lihan, the company’s Executive Director, CEO and Co-founder, along with Professor Too Heng-Phon and Dr Zou Ruiyang, developed the company’s proprietary mSMRT-qPCR technology platform from Prof Too’s laboratories at the and A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI). Their initial idea was to develop diagnostic solutions that enable the early detection of diseases – starting with cancer.
“Our mission from the start was to reduce the global burden of cancer and make early detection accessible and affordable,” said Dr Zhou. “A minimally invasive, cost-effective solution was at the top of our minds.”
Mirxes’s flagship product, GASTROClear, is the world’s first molecular blood test for the early detection of gastric cancer. The product, designed for high-risk populations, helps doctors tease out patients who might benefit from further medical tests before symptoms of gastric cancer manifest – ultimately improving survival rates.
GASTROClear emerged from an international collaboration between researchers and clinicians from òòò½Íøand Korea. Initiated in 2012, the partnership was led by the and involved extensive clinical studies at the , and the Yonsei Cancer Center in Korea. Mirxes also collaborated with A*STAR and NUS on the development and validation of the test, as well as its regulatory approval and commercialisation of GASTROClear as an in-vitro diagnostic test.
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As demand for GASTROClear increased, Mirxes looked to expand and launched the product and service in China at the end of 2022. This launch, combined with an increase in global demand, saw the revenue generated from GASTROClear service increase from US$0.6 million in 2022 to US$2.4 million in 2023.
Building a strong foundation for commercialisation, collaborations with academic, industry and healthcare institutions have been instrumental in the company’s R&D efforts. One example is Project CADENCE, a global clinical research initiative launched in 2022. The project, spearheaded by clinician-scientists from Singapore’s leading academic and healthcare institutions, aims to discover new biomarkers for the early detection of nine cancers. These include lung, breast, colorectal, liver, gastric, oesophageal, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers.
Singapore's supportive scientific scene
Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, particularly the support provided by A*STAR, the and , has been the engine driving Mirxes’s growth. The company has benefited from a range of government programmes, including the Scale-up SG programme, which provided invaluable resources for market expansion, leadership development and internationalisation.
“From funding to mentorship, these initiatives have allowed us to scale our operations both locally and internationally. The access to infrastructure, research talent and networking opportunities has been very timely and beneficial,” shared Dr Zhou.
Mirxes has also capitalised on Singapore’s geographical location and ethnic diversity to gather rich, diverse patient data – enhancing the accuracy and relevance of their diagnostic tests. This approach has enabled the company to refine its solutions for different populations, ensuring that its products address the genetic and environmental factors unique to each region.
A key turning point for Mirxes came during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the company repurposed its mSMRT qPCR technology to manufacture Fortitude PCR test kits. “This agility allowed us to contribute meaningfully to Singapore’s public health efforts while continuing to grow our core business,” added Dr Zhou.
Mirxes benefitted greatly from collaborating with A*STAR’s Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD Hub) – a productisation partner that supports innovators across the product development and manufacturing process. The two had worked together on developing GASTROClear from 2014 and during COVID-19, quickly scaled production, approval and delivery of the Fortitude test kit to more than 45 countries.
Onwards and upwards
Since its founding, Mirxes has blossomed from a small, three-person team into a global operation that is over 300-strong, with a strong market presence in China, Japan, Southeast Asia and the United States. Apart from the increasing global demand for accurate diagnostic products, the company’s ability to pivot and adapt in an ever-shifting biotech landscape has been crucial to its expansion.
Like many startups, the journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. In particular, Mirxes had to reckon with the limited size of the Singaporean market. This limitation spurred the company to manage its operations through a global lens.
“From the outset, we knew we had to ‘Innovate and Manufacture in òòò½Íøfor the World’,” Dr Zhou reflected. The team’s forward-thinking approach, underpinned by ESG’s efforts to connect Mirxes with international partners, has been key to facilitating its expansion.
Now, the future looks bright. Mirxes aims to continue scaling the adoption of GASTROClear and accelerating the development of new diagnostic products. The company has also recently resubmitted its draft prospectus for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange – a move that will further consolidate its financial position and global reach.
In Singapore, the company will continue contributing to national initiatives like Healthier SG and drive innovation through partnerships with public, private and philanthropic organisations to advance biotech innovations, making early disease detection accessible worldwide, one test at a time.
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