Amgen, a U.S.-based leader in biologic medicines, and NSG BioLabs, Singapore’s premier provider of biotechnology co-working laboratories and offices, have extended their joint partnership program to address critical challenges in the biotech sector. Now in its fourth year, the Golden Ticket Programme supports promising biotech startups by providing infrastructure, mentorship, and resources to advance scientific progress and talent development, accelerating the creation of new therapies.
Singzyme, a Singapore-based biotech startup leading the way in next-generation bioconjugation solutions, has been selected as the 2025 Golden Ticket Programme winner in Singapore. As part of the award, Singzyme will enjoy a one-year residency at NSG BioLabs, access to certified BSL-2 laboratory facilities, and opportunities to connect with Amgen’s network of scientific and business experts.
Following an interactive pitch session evaluated by Amgen's internal scientific committee, Singzyme emerged as the winner from a competitive group of six finalists. The startup stood out for its innovative Peptide Asparaginyl Ligase (PAL) platform, a groundbreaking site-specific conjugation technology designed to overcome key challenges in the production of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and other complex biologics. This platform shows significant promise for enabling the safer, more precise, and efficient development of next-generation targeted therapies.
Dr Alan Russell, Vice President for Research Biologics at Amgen said “Singzyme’s novel platform reflects creative approaches to longstanding challenges in bioconjugation, and we’re pleased to be part of an initiative that helps spotlight and connect promising science with broader networks in the industry that aligns with Amgen’s mission to deliver impactful therapies to serve patients.”
Ms Daphne Teo, CEO and Founder of NSG BioLabs, added, “The Golden Ticket Programme provides a valuable stepping stone for biotech startups at critical stages of their journey. As Singapore’s life sciences community continues to expand, it’s exciting to support companies like Singzyme as they bring their ideas to life and move closer to the clinic in Singapore’s growing vibrant biotech industry.
Mr Abbas Sahili, Chief Technology Officer, inventor and founding team member of Singzyme, said, “This award validates the transformative potential of Singzyme’s peptide ligation technology to enable the next generation of precision medicines. The Golden Ticket is a significant recognition of our PAL platform’s ability to address critical unmet needs in biologics development - not only in oncology, but across diverse modalities and disease areas.” Mr Wee Kiat Tan, CEO of Singzyme
Singzyme joins a growing list of previous Golden Ticket recipients in Singapore, including Albatroz Therapeutics, VerImmune, and PairX Bio. These companies have leveraged the programme’s access and visibility to further their research, raise funding, and expand partnerships. Albatroz secured US$3 million in seed funding to advance its drug development programmes, while VerImmune’s recent closure of the first half of its Pre-Series A round reflects strong confidence in its platform and trajectory.
Powering Biotech Breakthroughs: Scaling Science Through Cross-Sector Collaboration:
A panel discussion, held during the award ceremony, highlighted the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in driving biotech innovation. Representatives from Amgen, ClavystBio, and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) explored how shared infrastructure, talent pipelines, and mentorship programs are essential for transforming scientific concepts into real-world applications. The discussion underscored the need for a dynamic ecosystem that empowers researchers and entrepreneurs to scale globally and advance breakthroughs in the biotech industry.
