Latest news with #WorldIntellectualPropertyOrganisation
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Singapore-based cancer biotech firm Hummingbird Bioscience to target inflammatory diseases with precision drugs
SINGAPORE: Singapore-headquartered biotech firm Hummingbird Bioscience, known for developing antibodies for cancer, is turning its sights to drugs for immunology and inflammatory diseases, such as lupus and inflammatory bowel disease. It will be adapting antibody-drug conjugates which it developed for cancer treatment to target these diseases. It is now about 12 months to 18 months away from filing regulatory approvals in Asia, Europe and the US to start clinical trials for an undisclosed number of these drugs. These consist of antibodies that have the missile-like ability to seek out specific targets, along with a payload, which is a drug intended to treat a disease. Hummingbird recently received an award from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo), the United Nations agency dedicated to innovation and creativity. At the 2025 Wipo Global Awards held at the organisation's headquarters in Geneva on July 11, it was among 10 small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide that were celebrated for commercialising their intellectual property (IP). 'Hummingbird Bioscience exemplifies how innovative companies can thrive with a well-crafted IP strategy. The company has built a robust IP plan with a strong patents portfolio and a successful licensing-based business model,' said Fu Zhikang, director of IP strategy solutions at Ipos International, a subsidiary of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. The biotech firm is looking to expand its pipeline of products. Its chief scientific officer and co-founder Jerome Boyd-Kirkup told The Straits Times: 'Our mission has been to build the next generation of potentially transformative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. 'A large part of that is to have a strong IP portfolio which can underpin that development and ensure that the innovations that are done here in Singapore can be translated globally.' The company's focus for the future will be on immunology and inflammation, said Boyd-Kirkup. These diseases are a group of chronic conditions characterised by a dysregulated immune system leading to inflammation and tissue damage. It is generally believed that up to 10 per cent of the world's population is affected by these conditions, though estimates vary. The therapeutics for immunology and inflammatory diseases have seen keen interest from biopharma companies worldwide – the global market size for this area is projected to grow from US$103 billion in 2024 to US$257 billion by 2032. In the context of immunology and inflammatory diseases, the target for Hummingbird's antibody-drug conjugates may be immune cells that have become overactive or destructive, and a drug is selected to block the harmful response. Boyd-Kirkup said that current treatments for immunology and inflammatory diseases are usually small molecule drugs such as corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. But the drawbacks of these drugs include concerns around side effects from long-term usage, and a short half-life, which means a drug needs to be taken more often as it does not stay long in the body. These two factors limit the efficacy and long-term treatment that is necessary for the treatment of many of such diseases. 'Antibody-drug conjugates offer a promising solution by enabling the targetted delivery of small molecule drugs, including immunosuppressives, directly to immune cells, thereby improving safety profiles and optimising exposure duration,' said Boyd-Kirkup. The company, which has leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) in its discovery and development cycle for cancer drugs, will also be doing the same for immunology and inflammatory drugs. Immunology and inflammatory diseases are complex and involve many different cell types. In many cases, the places where the damage is occurring are not linked to the cells or processes happening in the area, said Boyd-Kirkup. AI is being used to understand the biological processes involved in such diseases, he added. 'We have used AI to accelerate identification of key target cells and antigens involved in immunology and inflammatory diseases. The immunology and inflammatory antibody-drug conjugates we are working on are targeting key immune cell types involved in disease,' said Boyd-Kirkup. He added that based on the clinical indications and antibody-drug conjugates that the company is looking into, there is a significant unmet clinical need. 'Clinical trials and commercialisation for therapies generally take around a decade. We are also open to the possibility of accelerating the process to the clinic through partnerships and licensing, which may bring in revenue for the company,' said Boyd-Kirkup. In 2026, the company is also set to release results from its Phase 1B clinical trials for one of its key cancer drugs in development, HMBD-001. It is an antibody that targets the HER3 protein driving tumour growth and resistance against cancer drugs, currently being studied in a number of countries, including Singapore. - The Straits Times/ANN
The National
5 days ago
- Science
- The National
The UAE has plenty of talented researchers but we need more systems to connect them
When discussing advancements in research, the focus tends to centre on money, machines and milestones. But no ecosystem thrives solely on infrastructure. It depends on people and how effectively they are connected. Across the UAE, researchers and engineers are tackling challenges in areas that run from healthcare and sustainability to AI and quantum technologies. Their work supports the nation's ambition to become a global hub for advanced technology. According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the UAE ranks first in the Arab world and 32nd globally in its Global Innovation Index, which is a sign of national momentum. However, these efforts often remain fragmented – individuals working in isolation, disconnected from the opportunities where their expertise is most needed. This is rarely due to a lack of talent. The UAE has made substantial investments in education and research and development talent. More often, it is a matter of visibility, of knowing who is working on what, and how to engage them. Talent infrastructure matters as much as physical infrastructure. Without systems that enable collaboration, knowledge sharing and recognition, even the most advanced facilities risk being underused. Bridging the gap between institutional silos and national priorities depends on co-ordination tools that researchers trust, use and feel a part of. Effective planning depends not only on sound analysis, but also on the ability to bring together expertise across different fields. The Emirates has taken significant steps in this direction. The UAE Research Map enables researchers to showcase their expertise and connect with peers across various disciplines. The UAE Research Hub complements this by providing streamlined access to specialised facilities, services and equipment that might otherwise remain inaccessible. Together, these platforms are designed not only to reduce technical friction but also to create an inclusive and supportive environment for experts at every career stage across the national R&D landscape. Critically, they act as a kind of one-stop shop, enabling professionals to discover collaboration opportunities, identify funding calls and engage peer networks without relying on pre-existing connections or social capital. By highlighting real expertise and making achievements visible, these tools reduce the burden of networking and make it easier to contribute, especially for those outside traditional academic hierarchies. But platforms alone are not enough. They must become embedded in daily research practice. This means encouraging researchers to maintain open, up-to-date profiles. It means treating national platforms as a default starting point when seeking collaborators, mentors or technical expertise. And it requires cultivating a culture in which contribution is recognised across institutions and sectors, not only within formal roles. This visibility is especially powerful for early-career researchers and students. When they can see the real people behind the science, their projects, career paths and contributions, it demystifies Stem fields and reveals the many routes into them. Role models matter. A transparent and diverse research community helps young people imagine themselves in these roles, guiding them towards futures they might not have otherwise considered. At the same time, experienced professionals are more likely to stay engaged when their contributions are acknowledged, whether through mentorship, advisory roles or participation in national initiatives. Recognition reinforces purpose and a visible, connected community reduces professional isolation, creating a shared sense of mission that sustains long-term motivation. Globally, countries leading in innovation, from South Korea to Finland, are not only investing in infrastructure and technology, but also in the social architecture that connects researchers and ideas Importantly, open research profiles benefit not only academics. They also enable educators, startups, investors, public agencies and industry leaders to connect with relevant expertise. In doing so, they accelerate cross-sector collaboration, enhance problem-solving capacity and ensure that research is not kept separate from its application. Globally, countries leading in innovation, from South Korea to Finland, are not only investing in infrastructure and technology, but also in the social architecture that connects researchers and ideas. The UAE's focus on sovereign capabilities and homegrown innovation reflects this same imperative. But talent remains the common denominator. If we are to lead in advanced technologies, we must ensure that knowledge flows freely within the system and that people know how to contribute and where to turn for support. The expertise already exists. What we need are systems that highlight it, networks that bridge disciplines and practices that reward collective effort. These must become routine, not exceptional. This is because research does not thrive in isolation. Progress depends not only on what we know, but on the strength of the connections that turn knowledge into impact.
Business Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
From Singapore to the world: Daren Tang's mission to break stereotypes at UN agency Wipo
[SINGAPORE] Daren Tang may not be a household name. Nor, for that matter, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo) – the United Nations (UN) agency he heads as its director-general. Yet, the work that Geneva-based Tang and his 1,700-strong team from almost 130 countries do has implications for much of what we encounter in our daily lives. Simply put, Wipo provides services to protect and promote creations of the mind – or intellectual property (IP) – around the world, thereby safeguarding creative outputs, from photographs, music and logo designs, to the latest mobile phone innovations and lifesaving drugs. IP may be a rather nebulous concept to the man in the street, but it's an important and powerful intangible asset for individuals and businesses. Besides being a catalyst for economic growth, it spurs innovation when creators can monetise their ingenuity. Thus, Tang – the first Singaporean to head a UN agency – has in the last five years sought to make a complex matter accessible and relevant to the layman through various projects and programmes. As a global organisation, Wipo works with stakeholders from its 194 member states. Given that these include national governments, businesses, inventors, researchers and designers, managing political dynamics is par for the course. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up 'In a nutshell, the job is one-third being the chief diplomat, one-third being the chief policy officer and one-third being the CEO,' Tang tells The Business Times. No walk in the park Under Tang's watch, Wipo in 2024 notched an historic achievement by concluding two new treaties in one year. Both the Wipo Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge and the Riyadh Design Law Treaty took more than 20 years of negotiations. Tang hailed it as a victory for multilateralism in an environment of rising geopolitical tensions. 'I felt like a referee in an intense sporting match, helping to keep the process moving and the rules of engagement fair and neutral, while working with all towards a common end,' he recalls of the round-the-clock work, which concluded with sleep-deprived negotiators from around the world bursting into loud applause. It was, he describes, 'incredibly emotional'. Tang at the launch of Creators Learn Intellectual Property, a joint initiative by Wipo and the Music Rights Awareness Foundation co-founded by Bjorn Ulvaeus, star of Swedish band Abba and author of its hit song, Dancing Queen. PHOTO: WIPO Tang also relished the quietly satisfying highs of ordinary people whose lives he says have been touched by Wipo's work; these include a female Ugandan entrepreneur whom the agency mentored, and a young Chilean scientist who brought her invention to market. But the geopolitical challenges of running such a large and diverse agency remain. 'Consensus among member states, which is a cornerstone of how the UN works, has become even more difficult,' he says. 'Conflicts have diminished the appetite for collaboration and cooperation. And the financial sustainability of the UN is now under question because of funding cuts.' This affects Wipo, even though it has the unusual characteristic among the UN agencies of being self-funded – mostly from the fee-paying services it runs. In the last five years, the agency has consistently reported financial surpluses, while its assets have grown some 83 per cent to 710 million Swiss francs (S$1.13 billion) last year. 'That means running a tight ship, with a focus on efficiency, results and impact,' says Tang. These, incidentally, are traits very much associated with Singapore, a nation with a reputation for being friendly but competent, and a steadfast supporter of multilateralism. Count on me, Singapore While Wipo's director-general is judged on their own merits, it helps when their home country is seen as 'credible, reliable and dynamic', says Tang. Singapore recently nominated him for a second six-year term starting 2026, something he considers 'a deep honour'. 'I have lived my entire life in Singapore, and it has fundamentally shaped who I am and how I have tried to transform Wipo,' he says. Growing up in a multi-ethnic, multilingual and multicultural society, where Asian values mesh with Western norms, also helps him engage and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from around the world. 'As a Singaporean, we're trained to focus on being pragmatic and delivering results, rather than getting entangled in endless discussions or ideological debates,' he says. His focus is on tangible, concrete and visible outcomes, 'especially in an environment where people increasingly do not see the value of UN agencies or don't understand what we do'. Home to the only regional Wipo office in the world, Singapore has been doing well in Wipo's Global Innovation Index, most recently placing within the top five. It's also seen as an example of how IP can be harnessed as a catalyst for growth and development, Tang notes. As the nation celebrates SG60, he is grateful for the many opportunities he and other Singaporeans have. 'While we often think that the world has become more complex and troubled, I don't think the external environment at the time of our independence was any simpler,' he reflects. 'We just have to continue pushing boundaries, taking risks to create and build something amazing that makes people want to come here and experience Singapore for themselves.' His wish this National Day? That more Singaporeans will step up to engage and contribute to the world, especially given that the nation's achievements are admired by and inspiring for many others. 'Don't just play in the local pond,' he urges. 'Plunge into the ocean.'
Straits Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
At UN's Wipo, Singaporean Daren Tang strives to create an equal music for haves and have-nots
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The US, says Mr Daren Tang, remains the 'pre-eminent innovation engine' because it is the best in commercialising ideas. Shortly after he took over as director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo) five years ago – the first Singaporean to head a major UN agency – an ambassador from an African nation had this to say to Mr Daren Tang. 'The problem with intellectual property, DG,' he told the former government lawyer, 'is that it is too intellectual.'
Euronews
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
How can people fight back against AI deepfakes? More AI, experts say
Artificial intelligence (AI) will be needed to fight back against realistic AI-generated deepfakes, experts say. The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) defines a deepfake as an AI technique that synthesises media by either superimposing human features on another body or manipulating sounds to generate a realistic video. This year, high-profile deepfake scams have targeted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto, and several celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Joe Rogan, whose voices were used to promote a scam that promised people government funds. Deepfakes were created every five minutes in 2024, according to a recent report from think tank Entrust Cybersecurity Institute. What impacts do deepfakes have? Deepfakes can have serious consequences, like the disclosure of sensitive information with government officials who sound like Rubio or Crosetto. 'You're either trying to extract sensitive secrets or competitive information or you're going after access, to an email server or other sensitive network,' Kinny Chan, CEO of the cybersecurity firm QiD, said of the possible motivations. Synthetic media can also aim to alter behaviour, like a scam that used the voice of then-US President Joe Biden to convince voters not to participate in their state's elections last year. "While deepfakes have applications in entertainment and creativity, their potential for spreading fake news, creating non-consensual content and undermining trust in digital media is problematic," the European Parliament wrote in a research briefing. The European Parliament predicted that 8 million deepfakes will be shared throughout the European Union this year, up from 500,000 in 2023. What are some ways AI is fighting back? AI tools can be trained through binary classification so they can classify data being fed into them as being real or fake. For example, researchers at the University of Luxembourg said they presented AI with a series of images with either a real or a fake tag on them so that the model gradually learned to recognise patterns in fake images. 'Our research found that ... we could focus on teaching them to look for real data only,' researcher Enjie Ghorbel said. 'If the data examined doesn't align with the patterns of real data, it means that it's fake". Another solution proposed by Vijay Balasubramaniyan, CEO and founder of the tech firm Pindrop Security, is a system that analyses millions of data points in any person's speech to quickly identify irregularities. The system can be used during job interviews or other video conferences to detect if the person is using voice cloning software, for instance. Someday, deepfakes may go the way of email spam, a technological challenge that once threatened to upend the usefulness of email, said Balasubramaniyan, Pindrop's CEO. 'You can take the defeatist view and say we're going to be subservient to disinformation,' he said. 'But that's not going to happen". The EU AI Act, which comes into force on August 1, requires that all AI-generated content, including deepfakes, are labelled so that users know when they come across fake content online.
