The Asia Bio Innovation summit 2025 Singapore spotlighted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and cell and gene therapies (CGT), fostering in-depth discussions through keynote presentations and panel discussions to address critical challenges and solutions from bench to bedside.
Mingyu Liu, senior R&D scientist at Biosyngen, delivered a keynote titled “Next-Generation TIL Therapies: Challenges and Strategies,” outlining key bottlenecks and future directions in tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy development.
Liu emphasised that while TIL therapy has demonstrated unique potential in certain cancers — such as advanced melanoma and cervical cancer—its efficacy in other solid tumours remains to be further unlocked. He detailed Biosyngen’s strategic approach to overcoming these hurdles:
High-efficiency TIL expansion process – Enabling robust TIL expansion not only from surgical resection samples but also from biopsy samples, while preserving high antitumour activity. This addresses the challenge of obtaining surgical samples from late-stage cancer patients. Additionally, both primary tumour samples and final cell products can be cryopreserved, eliminating logistical constraints.
Enhancing memory T cell populations – Through proprietary rapid expansion protocols, Biosyngen has achieved an eight-fold increase in central memory T cells (TCM) within the final product while maintaining optimal CD8+ T cell ratios, which are critical for durable therapeutic effects.
Gene editing to augment TIL functionality – Utilising a lentiviral transfection system, Biosyngen ensures stable genetic modification of TILs, enhancing their persistence antitumour activity in vivo, with a transduction efficiency exceeding 50%.
Tumor antigen-specific T cell enrichment – By leveraging specific biomarkers or selective expansion techniques, Biosyngen enriches antigen-specific T cells, thereby improving clinical response rates.
A prevailing consensus is that ADC and CGT technologies will serve as key drivers of oncology innovation over the next decade. With its R&D landscape, vast market potential, and policy support, Asia is emerging as the new global powerhouse for biopharmaceutical breakthroughs.
Jim Cornall is editor of Deeptech Digest and publisher at Ayr Coastal Media. He is an award-winning writer, editor, photographer, broadcaster, designer and author. Contact Jim here.
