Engineering mini “bombers” and “cleaners” – How this startup is changing the game to treat aggressive cancers

Imagine a team of experts, part “bombers” and part “cleaners,” meticulously working to dismantle cancer from within. That’s exactly what Dr Sarah Ho and her team at AGeM Bio are engineering—non-virally modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), that can be engineered to deliver cancer-destroying agents directly into the tumour while also “cleaning up” the damage. 

“We’re creating a bio factory inside the cancer itself,” explains Dr Ho. “Our engineered stem cells deliver targeted ‘bombs’ that disrupt the tumour’s ability to replicate, and then the immune system steps in to finish the job.” 

Co-founders of AGeM Bio Dr Sarah Ho and Jun Yong Woo standing by an image of the non-virally modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).  

At the heart of this innovation is a technique developed by her mentor, Associate Professor Too Heng-Phon at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), who pioneered the non-viral method that AGeM Bio now uses.

Unlike methods that employ viral techniques—often triggering immune responses—AGeM Bio’s approach uses shape-shifting polymers to deliver genetic material to the MSCs without alarming the immune system. Both A/Prof Too and Dr Ho are from the NUS Centre for Cancer Research and Department of Biochemistry at NUS Medicine. 

“Cells naturally want to eat,” Dr Ho explains. “We use shapeless polymers to trick the cells into absorbing the genetic material without recognising it as a threat.” This not only increases the amount of treatment that can be delivered, but also ensures that the cells can enter the body without being attacked by the immune system. 

Stem cells that have been modified to carry drug payload towards a tumour site. The cells are modified to express different levels of payload over time – the brighter neon (image on the right) indicates higher payload expression.  

While MSCs have been the subject of various research initiatives, AGeM Bio is taking a unique approach by applying them for the treatment of solid tumours, including aggressive forms like glioblastoma. Dr Ho explains, “For decades, glioblastoma treatments have made only slow progress highlighting the need for new and targeted solutions. It’s clear that patients need alternate options and that’s why we’re targeting it." 

Their first encouraging result in this field wasn’t with humans, but with an unexpected canine patient. “A vet reached out to us about a dog with recurrent sarcoma,” recalls Dr Ho.

“Although animal testing wasn’t part of our initial plan, we carefully considered the circumstances and decided to proceed.” To their amazement, the tumour shrank, and after 34 months, the cancer hadn’t returned. “That gave us confidence. It showed that what we’ve developed could really make an impact.” 

For Dr Sarah Ho, starting AGeM Bio wasn’t simply about advancing science—it was about impact. “I’ve always wanted the work I do to matter to everyday people,” she says. But translating lab research into a real-world application came with an array of challenges, particularly financial ones.” 

READ: How His Mum's Cancer Diagnosis Fuelled His Ambition In Biotech 
 
Securing funding proved difficult, even in 2021 when biotech investments were thriving. “You’d think, given the substantial funding in the sector, it would be easy to receive funding,” Dr Ho reflects. “But we struggled. In the early stage of our research, we didn’t have clinical trial data, and without that, investors were understandably hesitant.” 

The hardest part, Dr Ho admits, wasn’t just making the science work—it was convincing others to believe in its potential. “Investors want to see results, but we were still in the early stages. It’s tough to get people to take a chance on something that hasn’t fully proven itself yet.” 

In 2023, SGInnovate recognised AGeM Bio’s potential in both oncology and regenerative treatments. Led by Suchitra Narayan, the Venture Building team provided the breakthrough capital and support to the team. “SGInnovate introduced us to their dual pathway funding programme, and it changed everything,” Dr Ho recalls. 

The programme, a public-private collaboration spearheaded by SGInnovate and the National Research Foundation (NRF), allowed AGeM Bio to access public grants while simultaneously pursuing private funding. 

“The team’s initial promising outcomes in veterinary medicine as well as their unique cell culture medium were indicators that we needed to help them forge ahead without delays” says Ms Narayan. “The dual pathway programme reduces the delay to market, reduces risk to early-stage VC’s as it’s partially funded by the grant and overall helps to de-risk the science.”  

Dr Ho explains, “This programme helped us bridge the gap between academic research and market readiness and gave us the resources to move forward while maintaining our research.” 

Incorporated in January 2024, AGeM Bio officially set off on its mission to bring this technology to market.

“Without that support, it is likely we would have had to spend several more years we would have been stuck waiting, gathering more evidence for years before we could take the next steps to accelerate our research,” Dr Ho reflects. “It allowed us to dream big and move fast.” 

With the funding hurdles behind them, AGeM Bio shifted its focus from proving the concept to bringing their technology to clinical trials.

With the first clinical trials on the horizon, including a glioblastoma trial at National University Hospital (NUH) by late 2025, AGeM Bio is preparing for this milestone at a Good Manufacturing Practice-certified (GMP) facility in Singapore. Dr Ho says, “We’re not just focused on today; we’re thinking ahead—ten steps at a time.” 

The team at AGeM Bio. Associate Professor Too Heng-Phon (extreme right) from the Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS.

AGeM Bio is already laying the groundwork with hospitals, key opinion leaders, and potential adopters. 

READ: 4 Tips For Biomedical Startups Looking To Partner with Big Pharma

"We can't afford to wait until we're market-ready to start building relationships," Dr Ho says. “That’s why we’ve already been working with hospitals and thought leaders in the field. It’s essential to show them that we’re serious and making progress. When the treatments are ready, they’ll be ready to adopt them.” 

AGeM Bio is also actively contributing to the growth of the local cell and gene therapy (CGT) ecosystem by sharing the tools and resources they've developed. The reagents co-developed by AGEM Bio’s co-founder, Dr Woo Jun Yung, who is from NUS Medicine, originally designed to enhance their own MSC production and transport, are now being offered to help other biotech companies speed up their work. 

“We’re happy to collaborate and share these reagents,” says Dr Ho. “Our goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem for everyone in cell and gene therapy. If our reagents can help others make faster progress, we’re creating a bigger and broader impact.”  

As the team at AGeM Bio looks to the future, their goal is to explore new frontiers in stem cell technology, with potential applications ranging from oncology to regenerative medicine for traumatic brain injury and osteoarthritis. “We’re excited about what’s ahead,” Dr Ho says. “Our mission has always been to change lives, and now, more than ever, that feels within reach.” 

Learn more about other SGInnovate-supported Deep Tech startups here.