As JLABS Singapore marks its first anniversary, Alessandro Falcone, Head of JLABS Singapore, speaks with BioPharma APAC about the incubator’s rapid success in fostering biotech innovation. Established through a collaboration between Johnson & Johnson and the Singapore Economic Development Board, JLABS Singapore has attracted a dynamic portfolio of startups, creating a thriving ecosystem in the heart of Asia. In this interview, Falcone highlights JLABS’ unique role in empowering early-stage companies, the collaborative efforts across Asia, and the exciting advancements shaping the future of healthcare.

What has been the key to JLABS Singapore’s rapid success in its first year?

JLABS Singapore was launched in Oct 2023 with the goal to unlock innovation potential in Singapore’s life sciences ecosystem under the collaboration between Johnson & Johnson International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). JLABS Singapore supports early-stage companies with a base in Singapore to help accelerate their early-stage discoveries into innovative medicines, medical technologies, and healthcare solutions. JLABS Singapore also collaborates with local incubators and other strategic partners in the ecosystem on venture and talent development offerings to stimulate employment and commercialization opportunities for early-stage companies.

JLABS Singapore is marking our first anniversary with a resounding affirmation of our impact on the region's rapidly growing life sciences landscape. The numbers tell a compelling story: we've welcomed 35 promising companies, received over 90 high-quality inquiries from 11 countries, and have a robust pipeline fueled by Singapore's impressive 22% compound annual growth rate in active biotech startups over the last decade. Clearly, JLABS Singapore isn't just riding the wave of innovation; we’re actively shaping its course.

JLABS Singapore's success story is deeply intertwined with Singapore's rise as a global biotech leader. Singapore boasts a thriving ecosystem built on three decades of unwavering government support, a steady rise in research funding, and a commitment to nurturing world-class talent. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of J&J in Singapore and the 1st anniversary of JLABS Singapore. Thanks to the support and partnership from our partners including the Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore, A*STAR, local BioMedtech incubator co11ab and many others, our innovation footprint in Singapore continues to expand.

How does JLABS Singapore contribute to J&J Innovation’s biotech vision for Asia?

At J&J, we aim to solve the world’s toughest health challenges and drive scientific breakthroughs that improve health for everyone, everywhere. We know that a great idea can come from anywhere and are proud of our strong track record of cultivating innovation and pairing our deep internal know-how with some of the most promising external innovation from around the globe. We’re looking for the most promising early-stage innovations and partners that could benefit from our insight and collaboration. Located in innovation hubs around the world, our external innovation teams work hand-in-hand with innovators, helping accelerate their ideas with industry-leading incubation and investment support, and deep scientific and commercial expertise from Johnson & Johnson.  

We understand the uniqueness of each partnership and are equipped to personalize our support to what our partners need:

• Access to scientific and commercial expertise (across J&J and our network)
• Partnership, Collaboration, and Deal-Making (Innovation Centers)
• Incubation and Acceleration (JLABS)
• Equity Investment (JJDC) 

JLABS Singapore serves as a pivotal cornerstone in J&J Innovation's commitment to Asia. We're fueling the region's biotech potential by equipping entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and global network they need to revolutionize healthcare.

What distinguishes JLABS Singapore is our comprehensive approach to nurturing early-stage companies. We foster a collaborative ecosystem where startups can tap into the depth of Johnson & Johnson’s innovation capability, connect with a global network of investors, and gain invaluable mentorship from industry veterans. This holistic approach underscores our dedication to empowering innovators and shaping the future of healthcare in Asia. 

What unique resources or programs does JLABS offer to early-stage startups?

JLABS is the global incubator network of Johnson & Johnson that allows early-stage innovators to tap into Johnson & Johnson’s globally recognized scientific expertise and capabilities on equity investment, mentorship, collaborating, partnering and dealmaking to stimulate their company’s growth and expand entrepreneurial know-how. Additionally, as part of our ‘no-strings-attached’ philosophy, we do not ask for equity, rights or IP, and collaborate on the basis of non-confidential information. At JLABS, we offer far more than the typical incubator. This comprehensive support serves as a launchpad for startups to truly take flight.

One example is the Johnson & Johnson Innovation QuickFire Challenge, a crowd sourcing program. To further inspire advancements in precision medicine, Johnson & Johnson Innovation proudly recently presented the Singapore QuickFire Challenge: Precision Immunology. Innovators from across the globe with an active interest in the Singapore innovation ecosystem are invited to submit their potentially transformative precision medicine approaches for targeted therapies that can be applied across Immune-Mediated Disease, including Atopic Dermatitis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease), as well as rheumatic diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis). Innovator(s) with the best potential solution can receive grant funding from a total pool of $200,000, JLABS Singapore membership for one year, access to the global Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS network, and mentorship from experts across the Johnson & Johnson.  

Another unique offering is our recently announced collaborative initiative with local BioMedtech incubator co11ab.  In addition to the many benefits that come from engaging with a local incubator like co11ab, this collaboration also provides our member companies with access to co11ab’s physical facilities, promoting open innovation in the local ecosystem. 

In addition to these resources, JLABS actively promotes its portfolio companies on the global stage. We showcase their innovations at major conferences like BIO, Asia Bio, BIO KOREA, and the APACMed MedTech Forum.

How is JLABS fostering collaboration between startups and the broader BioTech ecosystem in Singapore?

JLABS Singapore supports early-stage companies with a base in Singapore to help accelerate their early-stage discoveries into innovative medicines, medical technologies, and healthcare solutions. JLABS Singapore also collaborates with local incubators and other strategic partners in the ecosystem on venture and talent development offerings to stimulate employment and commercialization opportunities for early-stage companies.

Collaboration is in our DNA. We actively connect our startups with key players in Singapore's BioTech ecosystem – from research institutions and hospitals, to investors and government agencies – fostering a dynamic environment where innovation flourishes. Our Global Network Roadshow at BIO and participation in events like Asia Bio, BIO KOREA, and the APACMed MedTech Forum are just a few examples of how we champion our startups not just in Singapore but on the world stage.

JLABS Singapore has seamlessly integrated itself into this ecosystem, forging strategic partnerships with key stakeholders like the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). This collaboration has been instrumental in attracting international companies, fostering local innovation, and addressing critical gaps in the late-stage development of biotech startups.

What future trends in healthcare innovation are you most excited about in Asia?

Asia is truly a hotbed for healthcare innovation! At Johnson & Johnson Innovation, we have always said that a great idea can come from anywhere. Asia has a vibrant life-science ecosystem that is rapidly evolving to meet the growing healthcare needs brought by aging population, a rise in chronic diseases and higher healthcare costs. The region has made huge strides over the last 10 years towards becoming a global leader of life science innovation. Inside the region, we have seen countries like China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore rising in the ecosystem with its enormous capabilities and potential for innovation.

We are seeing a significant trend in global business development with Asia quickly emerging as the “new majority” in aspects such as GDP growth, diversified population, world-class patents, energy consumption, and foreign investment. The Asian biopharma sector has made remarkable strides over the past decade. 

Asia is rapidly catching up to global leaders in life science innovation, showcasing speed and differentiation of innovation. Novel science and disruptive technologies are emerging in Asia, specifically across areas such as next generation Car-T, platforms such as next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with assets potential, AI/ML, large molecule and small molecule drugs which can revolutionize disease treatment. 

In my view, to fully harness Asia’s innovation potential, it is critical to foster the collaboration and enhancing the global presence in innovation. Meanwhile, Asian biopharma companies are increasingly “going global,” demonstrated by improving innovation quality through next-gen modalities and achieving commercial success in the region.

These trends not only represent exciting developments in healthcare but also align with our commitment to improving patient outcomes across Asia.

Can you share any success stories from the startups supported by JLABS?

The true measure of JLABS Singapore's impact lies in the achievements of the portfolio companies. We're incredibly proud of the groundbreaking work being done by our startups. Here are just a few examples of how JLABS is turning promising ideas into tangible healthcare solutions:

• VerImmune secured $4.5 million in the first closing of its Pre-Series A financing, bringing it one step closer to its groundbreaking mission: to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy. VerImmune announced a research agreement with J&J last year for leveraging its unique immuno-oncology therapeutic platform.
• ChemLex completed a $26 million Series A financing round led by Qiming Venture Partners and LYFE Capital, with Sinovation Ventures and MegaRobo participating. The funds will be used to further improve product development, expand into commercial markets, and support international expansion.
• Avecris, with its novel gene delivery platform, earned a coveted spot in the BLUE KNIGHT™ program, a joint initiative between Johnson & Johnson Innovation and BARDA.
• Vivo Surgical, a pioneer in flexible endoscopic robotics, received the prestigious WIPO Global Award from the World Intellectual Property Organization. 

These success stories, and many more within the JLABS Singapore portfolio, underscore the power of collaboration, mentorship, and access to resources in propelling early-stage companies towards breakthroughs that have the potential to transform healthcare.

As we embark on our second year at JLABS Singapore, we do so with a potent combination of momentum, a proven track record, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. With a keen eye on emerging trends like AI-driven healthcare, personalized medicine, and improved access to care, JLABS Singapore is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare innovation, not just in Asia, but on a global scale.

The journey has just begun and we are excited for what’s to come as we work to positively transform health outcomes for people in Asia and beyond.

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 ( arcilla.fran@biopharmaapac.com )