Strategic Partnership Unlocks New Era in Radiopharmaceutical Innovation

The National University of Singapore's (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine has embarked on a landmark collaboration with Australian radiopharmaceutical leader Cyclotek, announced on December 2, 2025. This partnership between the Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC) at NUS Medicine and Cyclotek aims to supercharge radiopharmaceutical research and development in Singapore, positioning the city-state as a hub for precision medicine across the ASEAN region. By merging CIRC's cutting-edge imaging infrastructure with Cyclotek's Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-certified production expertise, the alliance promises faster translation of research into clinical applications, benefiting patients with cancers, neurological disorders, and other complex diseases.

Professor Pek-Lan Khong, Director of CIRC and Provost’s Chair in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at NUS Medicine, emphasized the strategic importance: “This collaboration is a strategic imperative for biomedical innovation in Singapore. By exploring how our research capabilities and clinical trial infrastructure can be combined with Cyclotek’s advanced manufacturing network, we hope to create a powerful conduit to accelerate promising new radiopharmaceutical research.”

Meanwhile, Cyclotek CEO Mr. Jon Evans highlighted the regional vision: “Our partnership with NUS CIRC is foundational to realising this vision in Southeast Asia, supporting next-generation molecular imaging and therapy essential for individualised diagnosis and treatment.” This initiative aligns with Singapore's broader push toward precision medicine, where targeted therapies can dramatically improve outcomes.

Demystifying Radiopharmaceuticals: From Production to Patient Impact

Radiopharmaceuticals are specialized drugs that incorporate radioactive isotopes, enabling both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic interventions—a dual role known as theranostics. In diagnostics, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracers like Fluorine-18 FDG highlight metabolic activity in tumors or inflamed tissues. Therapeutically, agents such as Lutetium-177 PSMA target prostate cancer cells directly, sparing healthy tissue.

The production process is intricate and time-sensitive: Step 1 involves cyclotron bombardment to produce isotopes like Fluorine-18 (half-life 110 minutes). Step 2: chemical synthesis in hot cells under GMP conditions to attach the isotope to a targeting molecule. Step 3: quality control testing for purity and potency. Step 4: rapid distribution to clinics due to decay. CIRC's Academic GMP Cyclotron facility exemplifies this, enabling on-site production for trials.

• Diagnostic applications: Early cancer detection, neurology (e.g., amyloid PET for Alzheimer's).
• Therapeutic uses: Radioligand therapies reducing tumor burden with minimal side effects.
• Singapore context: Rising cancer incidence (1 in 2 lifetime risk) drives demand.

The global radiopharmaceutical market is booming, with Asia-Pacific growing at 10.3% CAGR to support personalized care.

NUS CIRC: A Pillar of Advanced Molecular Imaging

Established as a flagship facility, CIRC integrates state-of-the-art PET/MRI, PET/CT scanners, and radiochemistry labs to pioneer molecular imaging research. Its mission: bridge discovery to clinical translation through investigator-initiated trials and industry partnerships. Key achievements include novel tracer development for oncology and neurology, leveraging Singapore's first total-body PET/CT at the adjacent NUH-NUS Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Centre launched in October 2025.

For aspiring researchers, CIRC offers hands-on training in GMP production and imaging protocols, fostering expertise in a field where demand outstrips supply. Link to research jobs at NUS exemplify such opportunities in Singapore's vibrant academic ecosystem.

This infrastructure positions NUS at the forefront of higher education in biomedical sciences, attracting top talent globally.

Cyclotek's Expertise: Bridging Research and Manufacturing

Cyclotek, with over 25 years in PET radiopharmaceuticals, operates a multi-site GMP network supplying 150,000+ doses annually across Australia and New Zealand. Their strengths lie in contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services, technology transfer, and resilient supply chains for short-lived isotopes. The partnership taps this to address ASEAN's gaps in IMP access.

In Singapore, Cyclotek's know-how will support pathway to local GMP manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports and enabling faster trials. For students and postdocs, this opens doors to industry-academia exchanges, vital for careers in research assistant roles.

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Core Objectives: Accelerating IMP Access and Clinical Translation

The collaboration outlines clear pathways:

• Increase Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) availability for Singapore-ASEAN trials.
• Pathway to GMP manufacturing locally.
• Evaluate promising tracers from bench to bedside.
• Expand cross-border studies for scalability.

Singapore's radiopharmaceutical market, valued at ~USD 175 million in 2024, is projected to reach USD 258 million by 2032 (CAGR 7.14%), fueled by such initiatives. This directly enhances NUS's role in translational research education.

Transforming Precision Medicine in Singapore

Singapore's National Precision Medicine (NPM) program sequences 100,000 genomes, integrating with radiopharma for tailored therapies. CIRC-Cyclotek advances theranostics, where diagnostics guide treatments—like PSMA PET directing Lutetium therapy for prostate cancer, achieving 40-50% response rates in trials. This partnership bolsters ecosystem resilience amid global supply strains.

Higher education benefits: NUS programs in radiology and nuclear medicine gain real-world projects, preparing graduates for higher ed career advice in booming biotech.

Empowering the Next Generation of Researchers

Talent development is central: joint training in radiochemistry, GMP compliance, and imaging analysis. Prof. Khong envisions “specialized training programmes” building a sustainable workforce. For Singapore students, this means internships bridging academia and industry, amid SkillsFuture initiatives.

• Skills gained: Cyclotron operation, tracer synthesis, regulatory affairs.
• Career paths: Clinical research coordinators, radiopharmacists—roles with median salaries SGD 80,000+.
• Link to university jobs in Singapore for openings.

ASEAN-Wide Ripple Effects

Beyond Singapore, the alliance eyes supply resilience for Indonesia, Malaysia, etc., where cancer burdens rise. Cross-border trials could harmonize standards, leveraging ASEAN Economic Community. NUS's leadership elevates Singapore higher ed's regional influence.

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Challenges and Future Horizons

Hurdles include isotope supply volatility and regulatory alignment. Yet, with Singapore's S$66 million nuclear research boost (2025), momentum builds. Outlook: First joint trials by 2027, local GMP site potential, expanding theranostics portfolio.

Explore Singapore higher ed opportunities or postdoc positions to join this wave.

Career Insights and Actionable Advice

This partnership signals surging demand for experts in nuclear medicine. Pursue NUS MSc in Diagnostic Radiology or related PhDs. Actionable steps: Gain GMP certification, network via rate my professor for mentors like Prof. Khong, apply to research grants. Singapore's biotech sector offers stability amid global shifts.

In summary, the NUS CIRC-Cyclotek partnership exemplifies how university-industry ties drive innovation. Aspiring academics, check higher ed jobs, career advice, and university jobs to contribute. Share your thoughts in comments below.