Singapore’s A*STAR Invests in HoneyBear, Accelerating ARC Cancer Drug Development

HoneyBear Biosciences Inc. (HoneyBear Biosciences), recently recognized as “Taiwan’s Best ADC R&D Team” at the 2025 Asia Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards (ABEA), has announced a significant collaboration with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The biotech firm has successfully secured two key licenses from A*STAR to support the development of Antibody Radionuclide Conjugates (ARC) for cancer treatment, according to Vice Chairwoman Sarina Lin.

A*STAR’s Exclusive Antibody License & Multi-Cistronic Expression Technology to Drive Innovation

The official signing ceremony took place on March 12, 2025, at Biopolis, Singapore, with A*STAR Innovation & Enterprise, Deputy Chief Executive, Prof. Yeo Yee Chia, and Senior Director of PharmBio Bioprocessing Industry Cluster, Ms. Neo Kah Yean, representing A*STAR alongside the HoneyBear Biosciences team.

The agreement includes:
Exclusive antibody license from A*STAR Singapore Immunology Network (A*STAR SIgN) for ARC development. Multi-cistronic expression vector technology from A*STAR Bioprocessing Technology Institute (A*STAR BTI) to enhance antibody production efficiency.

As Singapore continues to strengthen its biotech ecosystem, A*STAR—a key research institution under the Singaporean government—bridges academia and industry to drive technological and economic advancements. Notably, A*STAR has a history of collaborations with Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, highlighting its commitment to fostering cross-border innovation.

A*STAR’s First Investment in a Taiwanese Biotech Company

Dr. Chuang Simon Shih-Hsien , CEO & CSO of HoneyBear Biosciences, emphasized A*STAR’s strong global reputation in antibody research, frequently showcased in leading international conferences and journals. He stated,

“A*STAR’s expertise in antibody development, combined with HoneyBear’s proprietary technology, will unlock new opportunities for innovation.”

Vice Chairwoman Sarina Lin expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting,

“We are honored to be the first Taiwanese biotech firm to receive A*STAR’s investment. This marks the beginning of a close strategic collaboration and signals HoneyBear Biosciences’s growing presence on the global stage. We look forward to attracting more international investors and solidifying our role in the global biotech landscape.”

Additionally, HoneyBear Biosciences relocated to a new office on March 25, 2025, consolidating R&D labs and departments to optimize efficiency and foster stronger team synergy.

Revolutionizing ARC Development with CoNectar™ Technology

Leveraging its proprietary CoNectar™ platform, HoneyBear Biosciences is integrating A*STAR’s licensed antibody and expression technology to advance ARC innovation. The collaboration aims to precisely deliver radiopharmaceuticals to tumor cells, maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. By reducing side effects and enhancing patient quality of life, this breakthrough offers new hope for cancer patients worldwide.

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