Cirrus Therapeutics Expands to Singapore, Unveils Novel RPE Cell Therapy for Geographic Atrophy
核心洞察
Cirrus Therapeutics (搜索) has established a new R&D site in Singapore and formed a multi-million dollar strategic partnership with A*STAR (搜索) to accelerate development of innovative ophthalmic therapies.
The company unveiled its second pipeline program, a next-generation retinal pigment epithelium (搜索) (RPE) cell therapy designed to treat center-involving geographic atrophy (搜索) with potential for class-leading vision restoration.
The Singapore expansion positions Cirrus to leverage research, clinical development and partnering opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region while advancing both cell and gene therapies for different stages of AMD (搜索).
Cirrus Therapeutics (搜索) announced a strategic expansion to Singapore and unveiled a novel retinal pigment epithelium (搜索) (RPE) cell therapy as part of its growth strategy to become a leading global ocular immunology company. The company established a new research and development site in Singapore, gaining access to the Asia-Pacific region's rapidly growing biopharma market while advancing groundbreaking therapies for chronic blinding diseases.
Singapore Expansion and Leadership
The biotech company has appointed Si Hui Tan, PhD, as Director, Pipeline and Site Head for its new Singapore operations. Dr. Tan previously led the first-in-class liver regeneration program at Lerna Biopharma (搜索), where she was also a founding member, and holds a PhD in Cancer Biology from Stanford University.
This expansion complements Cirrus's existing UK science origins and US infrastructure, creating a global footprint designed to support research, clinical development and partnering activities across key markets.
Strategic A*STAR Collaboration
Related to its Singapore expansion, Cirrus has entered into a multi-million dollar strategic partnership with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR (搜索)), Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. The collaboration will accelerate advancement of innovative ophthalmic assets, including Cirrus's newly unveiled second pipeline program.
Associate Professor Xinyi Su, PhD, MBChir, Executive Director of the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB, A*STAR (搜索)) and Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist at National University Hospital, will lead the collaboration.
"At A*STAR (搜索) IMCB, we harness biology to develop transformational biotherapeutics and have built a strong track record of developing high-impact innovations. We are excited to build on these strengths with Cirrus by combining our complementary expertise to develop innovative ophthalmic therapies that restore vision and improve patients' lives," said Associate Professor Su.
Novel RPE Cell Therapy Program
Cirrus unveiled its second pipeline program, a next-generation RPE cell therapy (搜索) for the treatment of center-involving geographic atrophy (搜索) (GA). This novel therapy is designed to be intrinsically fitter to function and survive in the hostile GA environment, with the program's differentiated profile offering potential for class-leading vision restoration.
The company continues to advance its lead program toward the clinic—a novel ocular gene therapy (搜索) designed to restore IRAK-M (搜索) protein to prevent AMD (搜索) progression and preserve central vision. Together, these therapeutic programs provide potential treatments covering different stages of AMD disease.
Leadership Perspectives
"Our presence in Singapore well positions us to leverage critical research, clinical development and partnering opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region as we advance groundbreaking cell and gene therapies to address urgent unmet ophthalmic needs around the world," said Ying Kai Chan, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Cirrus Therapeutics (搜索).
Khoo Shih, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at ClavystBio (搜索), noted the strategic importance of the expansion: "As the global population ages, chronic blinding diseases like AMD (搜索) demand far better solutions. Cirrus exemplifies the bold science ClavystBio backs to transform these conditions. With a growing presence in US and Singapore as well as strong ties in UK, Cirrus is well positioned to harness cross-border networks and capabilities to become a global leader in ophthalmic therapeutics."
Company Background
Cirrus Therapeutics (搜索) is a privately held ocular immunology-focused biotech with locations in the U.S. and Singapore. The company focuses on revolutionizing treatment of age-related macular degeneration (搜索), geographic atrophy (搜索), and other chronic blinding diseases with groundbreaking cell and gene therapies to preserve sight, extend ocular healthspan, and enable better quality of life as people age.
The company's investor syndicate includes ClavystBio (搜索), Polaris Partners, SEEDS (an investment arm of SG Growth Capital) and ZAKA VC.