Singapore's Biotech Leap: ImmunoScape's Clinical Trial MOU Marks A*STAR Innovation Milestone
Singapore's vibrant biotech landscape has reached a pivotal moment with ImmunoScape Pte. Ltd., an A*STAR spin-out company, announcing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to propel its groundbreaking research into a major clinical trial. This development underscores how foundational work from A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) is transitioning from laboratory discoveries to real-world patient therapies, targeting some of the most challenging solid tumors.
The MOU, signed with a premier U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center renowned for cellular immunotherapy leadership, sets the stage for an investigator-initiated trial. Expected to dose its first patients by September 2026, the study leverages ImmunoScape's innovative 'Seed and Boost' platform. This approach addresses key hurdles in T-cell therapies—persistence and exhaustion—offering hope for patients with ovarian, mesothelioma, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
From A*STAR Origins to Global Player: ImmunoScape's Journey
ImmunoScape emerged as a spin-out from A*STAR, Singapore's flagship Agency for Science, Technology and Research, specifically from SIgN where its core Deep Immunomics platform was pioneered. Founded by experts including co-founder and Scientific Advisory Board Chair Dr. Evan Newell, formerly an A*STAR principal investigator, the company exclusively licensed cutting-edge T-cell receptor (TCR) discovery technology. This platform enables high-throughput profiling of antigen-specific T cells directly from patient samples, revolutionizing how immunotherapies are developed for solid tumors.
Backed by heavyweights like Amgen Ventures and EDBI (Singapore's global investor), ImmunoScape operates dual hubs in Singapore and San Diego, California. CEO Dr. Michael Fehlings emphasizes the Singapore roots: 'From our company's origins as a spin-out of Singapore's A*STAR Research Agency to today, we are thrilled that the team's Singapore-based research has led us to this milestone.' Chairman Choon Peng Ng echoes this, highlighting the seamless blend of local innovation and international scaling.
Deep Immunomics: The Technological Backbone
At the heart of ImmunoScape's success is its proprietary Deep Immunomics platform, which uses advanced mass cytometry and single-cell analytics to mine vast T-cell repertoires. Unlike traditional methods that overlook rare, tumor-specific clones, this technology—rooted in Dr. Newell's A*STAR work—identifies high-affinity TCRs with unprecedented sensitivity. Publications from Newell's lab, including Nature papers on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), laid the groundwork by revealing bystander vs. antigen-specific T cells in human tumors.
This platform has decoded immune responses in cancers and infectious diseases, positioning ImmunoScape to engineer TCR-T cells that precisely target intracellular antigens like WT1 (Wilms Tumor 1). WT1, overexpressed in 80-90% of ovarian and mesothelioma cases, and many pancreatic tumors, was prioritized due to its clinical validation and low off-tumor expression.Learn more on their pipeline
Professionals in research jobs within Singapore's biotech sector can explore how such platforms drive discovery, with opportunities at A*STAR and spin-outs like ImmunoScape.
Decoding the Seed and Boost Strategy Step-by-Step
The 'Seed and Boost' paradigm represents a paradigm shift in adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Here's how it works:
- Seed Phase: Patient-derived T cells are genetically engineered ex vivo with a high-affinity TCR targeting WT1, creating tumor-specific effectors. Minimal dosing is required due to precision engineering.
- Boost Phase: Post-infusion, a fusion protein (licensed from Cue Biopharma's Immuno-STAT™ platform, CUE-102) is administered. This molecule selectively binds the engineered TCR, delivering IL-2 signals only to WT1-specific T cells, promoting in vivo expansion, activation, and persistence while sparing bystander cells to avoid toxicity.
This mimics natural immune synapses, overcoming exhaustion from chronic antigen exposure. Preclinical data from ImmunoScape's Singapore labs show durable tumor control in models resistant to standard CAR-T.
For those pursuing clinical research jobs, this strategy exemplifies translational innovation from bench to bedside.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
The Landmark MOU: Path to Clinical Validation
The undisclosed U.S. partner, a trailblazer in cellular therapies, will lead the Phase 1/2 investigator trial for IS-001 (Seed + CUE-102). Focusing on WT1+ solid tumors, it addresses unmet needs where 5-year survival rates hover below 20% for pancreatic and mesothelioma. First-in-human dosing is slated for September 2026, with safety, expansion, and efficacy as endpoints.
This MOU validates years of A*STAR-funded research, bridging Singapore's preclinical prowess with U.S. clinical infrastructure. Dr. Fehlings noted, 'Their experts see the potential that this novel approach may bring to patients in need.'
Targeting High-Unmet-Need Cancers: WT1's Promise
WT1, a transcription factor mutated in Wilms tumor but overexpressed in adult solid malignancies, evaded traditional therapies due to its intracellular location. ImmunoScape's TCRs penetrate this barrier, with Boost ensuring longevity. Ovarian cancer (70% WT1+), mesothelioma (90%), pancreatic (60-80%), and colorectal subsets stand to benefit, potentially reshaping standards where chemotherapy fails.
Singapore's rising cancer burden—over 50,000 new cases yearly—amplifies relevance, aligning with national immuno-oncology pushes.Read the full announcement
Strategic Licensing with Cue Biopharma Accelerates Progress
In November 2025, ImmunoScape in-licensed Cue's CUE-100 series, clinically validated in Phase 1 for safety. This deal, exclusive for oncology, synergizes with ImmunoScape's Seeds, enabling 'Seed-and-Boost' combos. Preclinical synergy data supports IND filing soon.
Leonardo DiCaprio's Investment Signals Global Confidence
Actor and philanthropist Leonardo DiCaprio invested strategically, stating, 'ImmunoScape is pioneering innovative cancer therapies... I hope to play a small role in helping accelerate their development.' Joined by board heavyweights like Adrian Bot (ex-Kite Pharma CSO), this bolsters war chests for trials.
Photo by Artyom Korshunov on Unsplash
Boosting Singapore's Biotech Ecosystem
This milestone elevates Singapore's status in immuno-oncology. A*STAR spin-outs like ImmunoScape exemplify the Biomedical Research Council's model, fostering 100+ startups. With RIE2025 injecting S$25B, Singapore hosts 30% of SEA's clinical trials. Impacts include job creation in higher-ed research jobs and attracting talent.
Stakeholders praise the multi-perspective ecosystem: government (A*STAR/EDBI), academia (NUS/NTU), and industry convergence.
Upcoming AACR Spotlight and Future Horizons
ImmunoScape scientists will unveil Seed-Boost data at AACR Annual Meeting (April 2026), drawing global eyes. Beyond IS-001, the platform eyes broader antigens, allogeneic therapies, and autoimmunity. Challenges like manufacturing scalability persist, but solutions like in vivo Boost lower costs.
Optimism abounds: SAB Chair Dr. Newell envisions, 'Cancer patients need new innovative therapies... driving our efforts to test patients before the end of 2026.'
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