Razer's Tan Min-Liang and his brother Tan Min-Han are breaking new ground in gaming technology and cancer detection
Min-Han, in contrast, has charted a more clinical yet equally ambitious course. His work focuses on non‑invasive diagnostics and precision oncology, developing technologies to detect and treat diseases, particularly cancers. 'As a cancer doctor and geneticist, it's heartbreaking to see patients when their cancer is already advanced, as there's often little we can do,' he says. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with the World Health Organization reporting an estimated 10 million lives lost to it in 2020 alone—roughly one in six deaths. 'And that's 10 million too many,' Min‑Han states.
This is the driving force behind Lucence's work to improve patient outcomes through earlier cancer detection and personalised therapy. The company does this through liquid biopsies—simple blood tests that provide a less-invasive alternative to traditional biopsies, which often involve surgery or radiation-based imaging.
Lucence achieved a major breakthrough in February 2023, becoming the first Asian-headquartered company to receive coverage for its flagship LiquidHallmark test under Medicare, the US government-funded healthcare programme. The Singapore-developed test provides insights that can inform treatment decisions and track tumour changes over time for 15 different cancers, including lung, breast and colon cancer. 'Doctors can choose treatments that specifically target the unique genetic changes driving the cancer's growth. By matching the right therapy to the individual's tumour, patients can receive more effective care with fewer side effects, improving their overall quality of life,' Min‑Han explains.
In May that same year, Lucence launched LucenceInsight, a groundbreaking early cancer detection tool that analyses a single blood sample to screen for indicators of over 50 types of cancer. 'By detecting cancer before symptoms arise, it enables earlier treatment, potentially leading to better outcomes,' says Min-Han. The test is currently available in clinics and screening centres across Singapore and Hong Kong.
Earlier this year, Lucence announced a strategic collaboration with Mayo Clinic Laboratories, a leader in diagnostics that operates primarily in the US and has an international presence, to expand access to cutting‑edge cancer testing services globally. Alongside its laboratories in Singapore and Palo Alto in California, Lucence's innovative LiquidHallmark liquid biopsy technology is now accessible worldwide through Mayo Clinic Laboratories and its healthcare partners, enhancing the global landscape of oncology diagnostics for better decision‑making and patient outcomes.
'With the US healthcare sector exceeding US$4 trillion annually, and Medicare covering more than 65 million lives, this move grants us access to a vast patient pool and positions us within a key innovation hub. The [estimated] 1.9 million [new] cancer diagnoses in the US [in 2022] highlights the market's potential,' says Min‑Han. 'This expansion validates our technology and fosters collaborations with leading institutions. Globally, we aim to revolutionise cancer care by democratising diagnostics, potentially impacting the [millions of ] annual cancer deaths worldwide.'
Having made significant inroads into the US—the world's largest healthcare market and a hub for leading pharmaceutical companies—Lucence has come a long way since its beginnings in 2016 as a spin-off company for Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research, where Min-Han led a research laboratory for six years. 'Building the technology was just the beginning,' he says. 'Changing the world around it is a life's mission.'
One of the key challenges ahead lies in navigating the complex regulatory landscapes of different countries while scaling operations to meet growing demand. To tackle this, Min-Han draws on the steadfast support of his younger brother, Min-Liang, whose keen business insight and investment support have been instrumental to Lucence's growth.
'As an investor in Lucence, I strongly believe in its mission to revolutionise cancer detection and improve patient outcomes,' says Min‑Liang, who regularly connects with the team, offering guidance and support on business strategy, fundraising efforts and technological advancements. He shares that his own journey with Razer—and deep understanding of the power of technology in transforming industries—has taught him 'the importance of fostering innovation and understanding customer needs to create a brand that resonates with a global target audience'.
'Being Min‑Han's brother,' he goes on to say, 'adds another layer to my commitment to Lucence. Witnessing his dedication to this critical cause first‑hand fuels my passion to see the vision come to life. I actively participate in discussions, provide emotional support and celebrate milestones alongside him.'
The Tan brothers' approach to innovation is deeply influenced by their upbringing, which emphasised discipline, critical thinking and a thirst for knowledge. These values were instilled in them from an early age by their parents, who prioritised education and encouraged curiosity. 'Our parents emphasised two principles: work hard and be useful to others,' Min-Han shares. 'They did their best to expose me to science, arts and sports, and succeeded in instilling an enduring interest in hiking. I did well in school—topping the national exams at age 12—but often found it more interesting to pursue abstract questions around science and history. I like solving difficult questions, particularly when information is sparse and even conflicting.'
Don't miss: Doctor Anywhere founder Lim Wai Mun on creating a blueprint for a sustainable tech‑enabled healthcare company
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EVN Report
17-07-2025
- EVN Report
Why Armenian Children Eat So Much Sugar
Sugar is everywhere in Armenia. Sugar-laden foods are the first thing on display in nearly every corner store, among the shelves stacked with candy bars, cakes and sugary drinks. School canteens are no different, with pastries crammed alongside the khachapuri , bags of chips, and sodas of all flavors. Even at home, sugar lurks in foods that might appear healthful at first glance—in jams, jugs of the simmered fruit drink, kompot, and in homemade cakes and buttery sweet bread, gata . Feeding kids sugar is largely seen as a gesture of love, and as a consequence, Armenian children are eating it at alarming frequency. According to a 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) report that examined childrens' eating habits and health across 44 countries in Europe and Central Asia, Armenian kids aged between 11 and 15 eat more sugar per week than any other country analyzed. Nearly half reported eating chocolate, candy, or other sugary foods at least four times a week. They also rank among the top soda consumers for the same age group. 'Armenians are champions of sugar consumption,' says Arev Mazloumian, a nutritionist at the American University of Armenia (AUA) in Yerevan who has worked extensively on the Ministry of Health's school feeding programs in Armenia. 'Finally, we're first in something.' At the heart of the country's obsession with sugar is the vital role it plays in Armenian culture and daily life. Leading producers of candy are part of national identity, and giving sweets is often seen as a display of care and hospitality. But the risks associated with such high consumption are just beginning to become apparent. Like much of the world, the number of children who are overweight and obese is rising in Armenia, and doctors are reporting earlier cases of type 2 diabetes, typically considered a disease of middle-age. From a child's perspective, the appeal is simple: candy, cake and chocolate taste good. But the responsibility for making these choices often lies with the adults. Here, family has a 'very, very big influence,' says Mazloumian. Caring for children is a source of pride for families, and food plays a central role in this expression of love, with generous portions and rich foods seen as a tangible way to nurture kids. The World Food Programme reported data that showed that love and care are central to feeding practices in Armenia, with parents and grandparents expressing affection by making a child's favorite meals—even when those meals contained high levels of sugar, fat or salt. According to the study, caregivers also perceived homemade foods, including cookies and cakes, as inherently healthy since they don't contain additives. This belief also extended to traditional beverages such as kompot —which children consumed more than soda — regarded as healthy despite the high sugar content. Malzoumian also points to the misconception of honey as a health food. 'No matter how many times I tell people that honey is still a sugar, no one believes me,' she says. 'It is a better alternative, but it's still considered a sugar.' The normalization of sugar-laden foods is tied to more than just Armenian traditions, history also plays a role. The deprivation of the 90s, when food availability became scarce, caused the pendulum to swing the other way entirely, says Kim Hekimian, an associate professor of nutrition at Columbia University in New York, who has worked on local health initiatives for several decades. 'People in multiple generations went through deprivation,' she says. 'It's an understandable reaction to want to over-feed.' Sweets are also a staple of celebrations and social exchanges. Birthdays are celebrated enthusiastically, and cultural norms around hospitality mean that guests are expected to bring sweets to a home, and hosts feel compelled to offer them. Kids are also often rewarded with candy and sweet treats. 'Armenians are constantly giving candy to kids,' says Hekimian. 'All of us do it to a certain extent, as a bribe for good behavior.' Sugar consumption begins at an early age, says Satenik Mkrtchyan, the director of the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency , which promotes balanced nutrition for schoolchildren. Things like sweetened tea are part of every family's morning and evening rituals, she says, and at a very young age kids are often given foods with sugar added to them, such as murabba (similar to jam). Sugar is even added to typically savory dishes such as kasha (a buckwheat dish) and shila (a kind of soup), to make it more palatable for children, Mkrtchyan says. Since eating habits form early in life, what children are fed in their first years can shape their preferences and health for decades to come. 'Once you have sugar, you always want it more and more and more,' says Mkrtchyan. 'You will not have any power to stop that.' That's why dietary patterns during infancy, and even the diet and health of the mother, play a key role in long-term well-being. Apart from the local dishes laced with sugar, some lingering practices from the Soviet era also shape how some infants are fed today, Hekimian says. Clinical advice once encouraged giving fruit and vegetable juices to infants only several months old — a practice at odds with modern recommendations . Such drinks contain large amounts of sugar. There was also a belief that breast milk should be supplemented with water. 'And to make that water more palatable, people would put some sugar in it,' Hekimian says. With many parents still living in multigenerational households, new mothers face pressure to follow well-meaning, but outdated, advice. 'You have generations of people who were taught those guidelines,' says Hekimian. 'These are early, early exposures that then develop taste preferences.' By the time children reach school age, many of those preferences have already been formed, and they're met with environmental challenges that offer few alternatives. Many students arrive at school with as little as 300 drams, according to the WFP report. Even if they wanted something healthier, their only options at the butka , or school canteen, are often pastries, sweets and chips. 'A lot of people mentioned that they don't even have the choice to buy something healthy,' Mazloumian says of the study. In higher-grade schools, the absence of cafeterias is also common, she says, limiting students' access to proper meals. The 'Westernization' of food has affected the availability of more nutrient-dense options at markets beyond the butka s, too. 'If you go to the supermarkets, it's all processed foods, candies,' she says. 'This was mostly in high income countries… now it's happening everywhere in the world.' Many kids might not know healthy food when they see it, either. The Mazloumian and Hekimian's experience teaching university-age students about nutrition has pointed to a bigger misunderstanding of 'healthy' foods in Armenia. When asked to name items for a healthy breakfast, many of their students mention avocado and salmon — neither of which are cheap or readily available in Armenia. 'There is a very, very, very big misconception that eating healthy is expensive,' says Mazloumian. 'You don't have to drink a 2,000 dram matcha latte or eat quinoa or avocado every day to be healthy.' Instead, beans, lentils and chickpeas, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables which are part of a traditional Armenian dietary pattern, are affordable and nutritious, she says. Mkrtchyan and Mazloumian have been part of efforts to change eating behaviors from a young age within schools. One of the most promising efforts is the national School Feeding Program, active across Armenia's regions except Yerevan, which provides low-sugar, low-salt and limited trans fat meals to students aged six to ten. As part of her work on the program, Mazloumian has reviewed dozens of menus around the country, and sugar shows up everywhere. In some kindergartens, tea served to the children often contains several teaspoons of sugar ('Tea shouldn't even be provided to young children — let's not go there,' she says). With limited funds to create a menu, some schools lean on sugar and sweets to reach the caloric target. Meals devised as part of the School Feeding Program prove that healthy meals don't have to be expensive. These school meals can be as cheap as 150 drams per child, says Mazloumian. Such a meal would consist of a cabbage and carrot salad, rice, lentils, bread, cheese and a piece of fruit. But kids aren't always sold on the healthier plates. These menus that contain minimal amounts of added sugar or salt, 'imagine how difficult it is for that child to get used to this food.' For instance, they serve kompot without added sugar. 'No one drank that,' she says. 'Imagine you're drinking this with 40 teaspoons of sugar, and then no sugar.' The Ministry of Health recently updated their standards to reduce the amount of sugar recommended to children. From 40-45 grams per day— about a can of coke-worth of sugar — the recommended daily amount dropped to 20-25 grams, depending on age. 'But the implementation needs a lot of work,' Mazloumian says. In Kindergartens, some parents agree with the new menus, but others are resistant to the change, says Mkrtchyan, and ask for cakes and sugary teas for their kids. She's also part of an effort to roll out nutrition education to school-age children across the country. 'It's too early to measure the outcomes of this,' Mkrtychyan says, but 'the idea is to present rules for health, nutrition, physical activity and food safety.' She also suggests 'very intensive' educational work is also needed among parents and grandparents—the primary influences of a child's diet. Despite efforts to reduce sugar intake in school meals, changing broader perceptions about sugar remains difficult. Globally, the warnings about sugar are gaining traction, but this phenomenon is relatively recent. A few decades ago, fat was the taboo nutrient on supermarket shelves. Foods, such as yogurts, milks and spreads, began to be 'fat-free', but necessitated the addition of other flavors, especially salt and sugar, to remain palatable. Now, a growing body of evidence points to the overconsumption of sugar leading to long–term health effects , especially obesity , type 2 diabetes, and heart disease —Armenia's biggest killer. Armenia isn't an outlier in the global increase of overweight and obesity among kids and adults. A national study on childhood obesity found that more than a quarter of kids were overweight and about 13% were obese; those results were approximately double the previous survey three years prior. No robust data exists for diabetes prevalence among children, but anecdotally, doctors are reporting seeing diabetes at a younger age, says Mazloumian. 'People get type two diabetes after 40 years of age,' she says. 'Now they are seeing it in children.' High sugar intake is strongly associated with childhood obesity, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But efforts to reduce sugar consumption are only beginning to be part of the conversation in Armenia—though other countries around the world may provide a blueprint. Mexico and Chile lead the way globally with comprehensive policies aimed at reducing sugar consumption. In Mexico, a sugary-drink tax introduced in 2014 led to a decline in sales of such beverages in its first two years. Chile's 2016 law mandating front-of-package warnings, prohibiting the marketing of high-sugar foods to children, and banning their sale in schools have contributed to a significant reduction in the sales of sugar-heavy foods. Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union means food labels list calories, fat and total carbohydrates—not the amount of added sugar. Without a quantifiable sugar content, taxing or regulating sugar levels is nearly impossible, says Hekimian. Public discussions about the harms of sugar overconsumption remain nascent, but from a food policy perspective, there appears to be momentum for change . Hekimian points to a growing interest within the Ministry of Health for evidence-backed regulations such as limiting the advertising of sugar-laden foods to children. One Ministry-backed study found a large proportion of products marketed to minors failed to meet nutritional standards among television advertisements, though this analysis didn't include social media. Currently, no legal restrictions exist for the advertising of sugary foods and beverages to children, 'making it hard to counter unhealthy consumption patterns,' Mazloumian says. Sweeping changes to food policy might be challenging to implement where other factors add complexity. Sugar holds a dopamine appeal, says Hekimian, especially significant as part of comfort foods in what she hypothesizes is a state of chronic low-lying depression after war and the pandemic. That national grief might complicate how public messaging lands. 'It's hard to get a message out there that says sugar is bad for you, salt is bad for you,' she says. 'No one is listening to that.' More effective policies are the ones you don't know about. In an ideal scenario, Armenian food producers could quietly reformulate recipes to slowly reduce sugar without public fanfare. 'People don't even have to know about it,' Hekimian says. Alternatively, bold legislative proposals (even if they fail to pass) can spark crucial debate, similar to what happened when lawmakers floated removing salt shakers from restaurant tables several years ago. The law never passed, but it sparked a national conversation about salt. The same could be true of sugar, Hekimian says. 'The body needs sugar,' says Hekimian. 'Nobody is recommending a total and complete ban.' But something has to change, she says. 'We can really delay the introduction of sugar, and get sugar from carbohydrates that are healthier for us.'
Tatler Asia
14-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
6 wellness podcasts that cut through the noise
2. 'Living Well (or Trying to) with Janet' Janet Wang gets it. As the co-founder of multimedia company AsianBossGirl, she's built a career understanding the pressures facing women, particularly in Asian-American communities. Her solo podcast embraces the messy reality of wellness—enjoying vegetables and meditation while also having pizza and the occasional tequila shot. The Chinese American podcaster addresses everything from nervous system tools to career transitions, always with the understanding that wellness looks different for everyone. She dissects bizarre trends like perineum tanning and lymphatic drainage using a toilet plunger, asking the essential question: are these helping people live well or simply creating new forms of anxiety? Her willingness to laugh at the wellness world's absurdities while genuinely caring about people's well-being strikes the perfect balance for listeners. Whether you're navigating a wellness day or just craving real talk wellness, this self-care podcast meets you where you are. Read more: Healing wisdom in the meeting of science and spirit from three Asian women 3. 'The Donut Box' Jo Sebastian calls herself the 'non-diet dietitian' for good reason. This registered nutritionist and dietitian uses her platform to debunk diet culture myths while providing practical advice. As a Filipino, she brings important cultural context to wellness discussions, whether it's challenging the vilification of rice (a national staple) or unpacking how comments on weight gain in family settings reflect deeper issues. The Donut Box explores topics that people typically do not talk about (get it?). Sebastian fact checks popular claims (like lemon water for weight loss) and tackles complex issues like body positivity and how PCOS shapes women's experiences of their bodies. Her real talk approach makes complex nutritional science accessible without dumbing it down—perfect for listeners seeking holistic health discussions grounded in professional expertise. Read more: In the frontline: Meet six Filipinos leading the way in health and wellness 4. 'The Food Freedom Lab' Ryann Nicole Prentice understands the exhausting cycle of dieting, binge eating and food obsession because she's lived it. The American nutritionist and licensed professional counsellor combines therapeutic strategies with nutritional science to help listeners break free from destructive eating patterns. This mental health tips podcast addresses the psychological aspects of eating that are often overlooked. Her approach to intuitive eating and diet culture recovery feels particularly relevant for listeners tired of putting their lives on hold until they achieve their 'dream body'. Prentice focuses on rediscovering the joy in eating and reclaiming a life no longer dictated by food rules and body shame. Read more: For plus-size people, diet culture and fatphobia can make going to the gym a toxic experience 5. 'The Asian Mental Health Podcast' Mental health conversations within Asian communities are evolving, but often still layered with stigma and silence. From the team behind Australian social enterprise Shapes and Sounds, Asami Koike, Marcus Lai and Oscar Abe are changing that dynamic. Their podcast tackles the specific pressures facing Asian communities around the world: the weight of family expectations, the silence around mental health struggles and the complexities of living between cultures. What sets them apart is their willingness to address uncomfortable truths. They explore the romanticisation of Asian practices, examine how workplace racism affects mental health and discuss ADHD and autism through an Asian lens. The Asian Mental Health Podcast provides evidence-based, culturally informed insights from a team that actually understands their audience. Read more: These are the mental wellness advocates leading change in Asia 6. 'Dear Headspace' Above The Dear Headspace podcast is a valuable resource on mindfulness for beginners and seasoned meditators alike. Mindfulness can feel abstract—until someone with decades of experience makes it make sense. Produced by the English American mental health app Headspace, this podcast features experienced teachers led by co-founder Andy Puddicombe—a former Buddhist monk—answering real listener questions. Instead of lofty concepts, Dear Headspace focuses on concrete challenges such as expanding your meditation practice, managing physical pain and processing tragedy. It's a valuable resource on mindfulness for beginners and seasoned meditators alike. For those seeking self-care podcast content that emphasises practical techniques over motivational platitudes, Dear Headspace is worth a listen.
Tatler Asia
18-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
Razer's Tan Min-Liang and his brother Tan Min-Han are breaking new ground in gaming technology and cancer detection
A CLEAR CALLING Min-Han, in contrast, has charted a more clinical yet equally ambitious course. His work focuses on non‑invasive diagnostics and precision oncology, developing technologies to detect and treat diseases, particularly cancers. 'As a cancer doctor and geneticist, it's heartbreaking to see patients when their cancer is already advanced, as there's often little we can do,' he says. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with the World Health Organization reporting an estimated 10 million lives lost to it in 2020 alone—roughly one in six deaths. 'And that's 10 million too many,' Min‑Han states. This is the driving force behind Lucence's work to improve patient outcomes through earlier cancer detection and personalised therapy. The company does this through liquid biopsies—simple blood tests that provide a less-invasive alternative to traditional biopsies, which often involve surgery or radiation-based imaging. Lucence achieved a major breakthrough in February 2023, becoming the first Asian-headquartered company to receive coverage for its flagship LiquidHallmark test under Medicare, the US government-funded healthcare programme. The Singapore-developed test provides insights that can inform treatment decisions and track tumour changes over time for 15 different cancers, including lung, breast and colon cancer. 'Doctors can choose treatments that specifically target the unique genetic changes driving the cancer's growth. By matching the right therapy to the individual's tumour, patients can receive more effective care with fewer side effects, improving their overall quality of life,' Min‑Han explains. In May that same year, Lucence launched LucenceInsight, a groundbreaking early cancer detection tool that analyses a single blood sample to screen for indicators of over 50 types of cancer. 'By detecting cancer before symptoms arise, it enables earlier treatment, potentially leading to better outcomes,' says Min-Han. The test is currently available in clinics and screening centres across Singapore and Hong Kong. Earlier this year, Lucence announced a strategic collaboration with Mayo Clinic Laboratories, a leader in diagnostics that operates primarily in the US and has an international presence, to expand access to cutting‑edge cancer testing services globally. Alongside its laboratories in Singapore and Palo Alto in California, Lucence's innovative LiquidHallmark liquid biopsy technology is now accessible worldwide through Mayo Clinic Laboratories and its healthcare partners, enhancing the global landscape of oncology diagnostics for better decision‑making and patient outcomes. 'With the US healthcare sector exceeding US$4 trillion annually, and Medicare covering more than 65 million lives, this move grants us access to a vast patient pool and positions us within a key innovation hub. The [estimated] 1.9 million [new] cancer diagnoses in the US [in 2022] highlights the market's potential,' says Min‑Han. 'This expansion validates our technology and fosters collaborations with leading institutions. Globally, we aim to revolutionise cancer care by democratising diagnostics, potentially impacting the [millions of ] annual cancer deaths worldwide.' Having made significant inroads into the US—the world's largest healthcare market and a hub for leading pharmaceutical companies—Lucence has come a long way since its beginnings in 2016 as a spin-off company for Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research, where Min-Han led a research laboratory for six years. 'Building the technology was just the beginning,' he says. 'Changing the world around it is a life's mission.' One of the key challenges ahead lies in navigating the complex regulatory landscapes of different countries while scaling operations to meet growing demand. To tackle this, Min-Han draws on the steadfast support of his younger brother, Min-Liang, whose keen business insight and investment support have been instrumental to Lucence's growth. 'As an investor in Lucence, I strongly believe in its mission to revolutionise cancer detection and improve patient outcomes,' says Min‑Liang, who regularly connects with the team, offering guidance and support on business strategy, fundraising efforts and technological advancements. He shares that his own journey with Razer—and deep understanding of the power of technology in transforming industries—has taught him 'the importance of fostering innovation and understanding customer needs to create a brand that resonates with a global target audience'. 'Being Min‑Han's brother,' he goes on to say, 'adds another layer to my commitment to Lucence. Witnessing his dedication to this critical cause first‑hand fuels my passion to see the vision come to life. I actively participate in discussions, provide emotional support and celebrate milestones alongside him.' The Tan brothers' approach to innovation is deeply influenced by their upbringing, which emphasised discipline, critical thinking and a thirst for knowledge. These values were instilled in them from an early age by their parents, who prioritised education and encouraged curiosity. 'Our parents emphasised two principles: work hard and be useful to others,' Min-Han shares. 'They did their best to expose me to science, arts and sports, and succeeded in instilling an enduring interest in hiking. I did well in school—topping the national exams at age 12—but often found it more interesting to pursue abstract questions around science and history. I like solving difficult questions, particularly when information is sparse and even conflicting.' Don't miss: Doctor Anywhere founder Lim Wai Mun on creating a blueprint for a sustainable tech‑enabled healthcare company
