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A*STAR IMCB CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION AND IMPACT
Anniversary dinner celebrates four decades of scientific excellence and IMCB’s ongoing role in driving innovation in cancer, cell therapy and precision medicine.
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A*STAR IMCB CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION AND IMPACT
SINGAPORE — 10 April 2025 – The A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (A*STAR IMCB), a pioneering biomedical research institute under the òòò½Íø, Technology and Research (A*STAR), marked its 40th anniversary today with a gala dinner graced by Guest-of-Honour Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry. The celebration underscored the institute’s four decades of scientific breakthroughs and its continuing role in shaping Singapore’s biomedical innovation landscape.
“Our ongoing mission is to harness science to make an impact in patients’ lives,” said Assoc Prof Su Xinyi, Executive Director of A*STAR IMCB. “By pushing the boundaries in critical research areas like ageing, precision medicine, and advanced cellular therapies, we ensure our work remains impactful and responsive to the evolving needs of Singaporeans.”
Established in 1985 as Singapore's first biomedical research institute, IMCB marked the nation’s strategic shift from a "nation of technicians" to a knowledge-intensive economy. Over four decades, the institute has achieved international recognition for research excellence while developing local scientific leaders and contributing to economic growth through biotech innovation.
Among the institute’s most significant contributions are the discovery of protein kinases and phosphatases crucial to cell signalling—an achievement commemorated on Singapore's $10,000 note—and the mapping of the fugu fish genome. Sequenced ahead of the human genome, the compact Fugu genome was pivotal in identifying critical genes associated with human diseases. This work accelerated global efforts in precision medicine, enabling the discovery of genes linked to cancers and other genetic disorders, and laying the groundwork for developing new diagnostic tests and targeted therapies.
On the economic front, the institute’s research has given rise to biotech spin-offs such as Albatroz Therapeutics, Sunbird Bio, BioCheetah and Intra-ImmuSG. These ventures reflect IMCB’s commitment to translating deep science into promising therapeutic approaches and supporting the growth of Singapore’s biotech ecosystem.
A central pillar of IMCB’s legacy is its sustained investment in scientific talent. More than 400 PhD students and 1,000 postdoctoral fellows have been trained at the institute, many of whom are now making significant contributions across hospitals, academic medical centres, universities, and biomedical enterprises in òòò½Íøand globally.
Looking ahead, the institute will build on its four decades of excellence by advancing research in key areas including translational neuroscience, advanced cancer immunotherapies, and AI-driven disease modeling. Through strategic industry partnerships, the institute will continue strengthening Singapore's biomedical ecosystem—securing the nation's position at the forefront of global biomedical innovation.
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