USD$90 Million Initiative between A*Star, Aptorum Group and Aeneas Capital to Drive Healthcare Innovations
April 24, 2019HONG KONG & SINGAPORE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aptorum Group Limited (Nasdaq: APM), Aeneas Capital Limited, and
A*ccelerate Technologies Pte Ltd, the enterprise office of the Agency
for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), have signed a USD$90
million agreement to co-create local deep tech start-ups in the
healthcare and life sciences sector. This agreement, is the latest in a
series of venture co-creation (VCC) agreements signed by A*ccelerate to
strengthen the start-up ecosystem in Singapore.
Through this agreement, Aptorum Group and A*ccelerate are looking at
creating up to 20 deep tech ventures in Singapore over the next five
years. These enterprises will leverage technologies co-developed by
A*STAR research institutes and Aptorum Group. As part of this agreement,
the parties involved will also support the start-ups’ growth through
actively nurturing the entrepreneurs. This will be done by connecting
them to the relevant market partners, and clients, using Aptorum Group’s
worldwide network.
The key focus area in this initiative would be the healthcare and life
sciences sector. One of the areas both parties are looking into is the
translation of A*STAR’s capabilities in medical image analytics and
augmented reality, into real-time 2D and 3D magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) surgical imaging solutions for applications in the field of
surgical robotics. This solution would empower healthcare providers in
Singapore, the region and globally with more accurate imaging of their
patients.
Aptorum Group and Aeneas Capital will also be launching an up to USD$200
million healthcare and life science strategic investment fund. This fund
could be used to invest into the local biotech ecosystem, and bring
about greater vibrancy to the Singapore economy. Aptorum Group and
Aeneas Capital will also make acquisitions in identified technologies
and businesses globally.
“This agreement is testament to the vibrancy of Singapore’s biotech
ecosystem, as well as the private sector’s confidence in A*STAR’s
capabilities in deep tech and biomedical research,” said Mr Philip Lim,
CEO of A*ccelerate. “Aptorum Group’s focus on creating value in
diagnostics, surgical robotics and therapeutics through technological
innovation makes them an ideal partner for us. We look forward to
co-creating local start-ups that will push the boundaries of healthcare
innovation and strengthen Singapore’s future economy.”
Founder and CEO of Aptorum Group and Founder of Aeneas Capital Mr. Ian
Huen commented: “Aptorum’s vision is to advance the quality of human
life and patient care by facilitating the development of medical and
life science innovations. Our collaboration with A*STAR A*ccelerate as
Venture Co-Creation partner is very exciting, allowing us to access and
develop the excellent expertise and technological ecosystems in
Singapore through a strong partner such as A*STAR and to strengthen the
links between research, innovation and enterprise. We strongly believe
that the partnership will undoubtedly yield a number of strong venture
businesses that will be eventually recognised worldwide and further
catapult Singapore as a core global player for technological
advancements and commercialisation hub.”
About Aptorum Group Limited
Aptorum Group Limited (Nasdaq: APM) is a pharmaceutical company
dedicated to developing and commercializing a broad range of therapeutic
and diagnostic technologies to tackle unmet medical needs. The company
is pursuing therapeutic and diagnostic projects in neurology, infectious
diseases, gastroenterology, oncology and other disease areas, as well as
non-therapeutic areas such as surgical robotics and medical clinic in
Hong Kong (Talem Medical) with the initial focus on treatment of chronic
diseases resulting from modern sedentary lifestyles and aging population.
For more information about the Company, please visit www.aptorumgroup.com.
About Aeneas Capital Limited
Aeneas Capital, a subsidiary of Aeneas Group Limited, is a
multi-disciplinary digital focused financial institution with cross
border capabilities and technology services. Aeneas Capital Limited is
regulated by the Hong Kong Securities & Futures Commission in respect of
investment management, securities brokerage and investment advisory
activities in Hong Kong. Aeneas Capital businesses span across a broad
range of investment products and regions, servicing a vast array of
professional investors, institutions and corporate clients.
For more information on Aeneas Group, please visit www.aeneasgroup.com.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore’s
lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to
advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through
open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and
private sectors to benefit society.
As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between
academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for
Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such
as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.
We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and
leaders in our Agency and research entities, the wider research
community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span biomedical sciences
and physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily
located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.
For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
About A*ccelerate Technologies Pte Limited
A*ccelerate is the commercialisation arm of the Agency for Science,
Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore’s lead agency for fostering
world-class scientific research and talent. As a one-stop resource,
A*ccelerate supports A*STAR in transforming the economy through driving
innovation and commercialising its research outcomes.
Also known as Accelerate Technologies Pte Ltd, A*ccelerate enhances the
research output of A*STAR scientists by translating and accelerating
their inventions and intellectual capital into marketable products,
processes and services. Through shaping and facilitating licensing deals
and spin-offs, A*ccelerate actively engages industry leaders and players
to commercialise A*STAR’s technologies and apply them to building
ecosystems that benefit business, industry and economy.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements concerning Aptorum Group Limited,
Aeneas Capital Limited and its future expectations, plans and prospects
that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any
statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact
may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can
identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “should,”
“expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,”
“projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,”
“potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other
similar expressions. Aptorum Group and Aeneas Capital have based these
forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and
projections about future events and trends that it believes may affect
its business, financial condition and results of operations. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press
release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and
assumptions including, without limitation, risks related to its
announced management and organizational changes, the continued service
and availability of key personnel, its ability to expand its product
assortments by offering additional products for additional consumer
segments, the company’s anticipated growth strategies, anticipated
trends and challenges in its business, and its expectations regarding,
and the stability of, its supply chain, and the risks more fully
described in Aptorum Group’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC and other
filings that Aptorum Group may make with the SEC in the
future. Aptorum Group and Aeneas Capital assumes no obligation to update
any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts
Enquiries:
For Aptorum Group Limited
Contact
Investor
Relations and Media
Tel: +852 2117 6611
Email: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.aptorumgroup.com
For
Aeneas Capital Limited
Contact
Investor Relations and Media
Tel:
+852 3469 7988
Email: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.aeneasgroup.com
For
A*STAR
Derrick Reginald Wong
Senior Officer, Corporate
Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel:
+65 6517 7970
HP: +65 9639 9900
Email: [email protected]