In the heart of Singapore, a revolution in cancer treatment is taking shape. Mr. Choo, the founder of CytoMed Therapeutics, is at the helm of this movement. His vision? To harness the power of cell therapy, an innovative branch of medicine, to combat one of humanity’s most formidable foes – cancer.
In Choo’s words, cell therapy is the “science of living medicine” – using our body cells to wage war against diseases. It’s a developing field, with 90% of medical doctors having never studied “molecular medicine” in their university years. Yet, it’s precisely this untapped potential that makes cell therapy so fascinating and promising.
Established in 2018, CytoMed Therapeutics is a spin-off from the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore’s premier research and development agency. The company focuses on translating its proprietary technologies into cell-based immunotherapy cancer treatments inspired by the clinical success of CAR-T cells in treating hematological malignancies.
Choo’s mission is twofold. First, to leverage the company’s novel technologies, and second, to capitalize on the lower-cost infrastructures of Southeast Asia, thereby making these revolutionary treatments more accessible. It’s a bold vision and one that is rapidly gaining traction. The global population is aging, and healthcare costs are skyrocketing. In response, health regulators worldwide, including the US FDA, seek to expedite the approval of novel treatments for life-threatening conditions. CytoMed Therapeutics is at the forefront of this shift, offering innovative solutions to unmet, no-option needs.
Peter proudly rang the closing bell at Nasdaq to commemorate the successful completion of the company’s initial public offering (IPO). The ringing of the bell symbolizes a significant milestone for Choo and CytoMed, showcasing their dedication and achievements in advancing innovative cellular immunotherapies for cancer treatment. The IPO not only provides essential funds for the company’s development but also highlights Choo’s leadership and the collective efforts of the CytoMed team in revolutionizing the impact of immunotherapies and extending human life. This momentous event further solidifies Choo’s position as a visionary leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, driving innovation and contributing to the improvement of global healthcare.
The company’s innovative approaches have earned it two first prizes. However, the journey is not without challenges. Lengthy regulatory processing, the need to make the therapies affordable, and the recent drying up of biotech funding are significant hurdles the company is navigating.
For late-stage cancer patients grappling with metastasis, CytoMed’s therapies present a lifeline. They offer a chance to improve the quality of life through treatments with fewer side effects and are simpler than conventional therapies like chemotherapy. By providing a science-backed alternative to those who have exhausted conventional treatment options, the company aims to enhance the quality of life, particularly for those in palliative care.
In a world where misdiagnosis is common, Choo emphasizes the responsibility each individual has for their own health. He urges everyone to educate themselves, prepare for old age, and understand the nuances of emerging medical fields like cell therapy. The company’s deep tech approach to treating cancers has defied the expectations of many who did not anticipate such innovation from a small Singaporean company. Moreover, the rise of international medical tourism means that patients can now travel to healthcare-friendly countries like Singapore to access treatments that are prohibitively expensive or inaccessible in their home countries.
CytoMed Therapeutics is currently developing two novels, patent-pending patient blood cell-independent therapies. These include a donor blood cell-based technology (CTM-N2D therapy) and an iPSC-derived technology (iPSC-γδ gdNKT therapy). Both treatments exploit the multiple-antigen recognition systems of natural killer (NK) cells and γδ T cells, offering potential solutions for various cancers.
The company’s therapies will be manufactured for clinical trials at a cGMP facility in Johor, Malaysia, under the stringent guidelines of the international PIC/S GMP Standards. The leading CAR-γδ T cell technology, CTM-N2D therapy, is set to begin its Phase I trial, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey.
CytoMed Therapeutics, under the visionary leadership of Peter Choo, is reshaping the landscape of cancer treatment, taking it to the cellular level. Through his leadership, he’s ensuring that cancer patients worldwide have a fighting chance, one cell at a time. As Mr. Choo’s vision unfolds, the future of cancer treatment looks promisingly brighter.