Discover Pathways, Expertise, Resources To Scale Innovation

How A*STAR’s research in microRNA laid the foundation for Mirxes to develop cutting-edge diagnostics that detect diseases early, including the world’s first blood test for early gastric cancer. Through continued collaboration with ASTAR institutes, Mirxes has scaled globally—delivering scientific breakthroughs with real-world healthcare impact.

Jump to Section: The Opportunity | Our Solution | The Impact

The Opportunity

The COVID-19 pandemic saw global surge in accurate disease diagnostics, creating a pressing need for rapid modular tests.

The global surge in demand for timely, accurate disease diagnostics—especially highlighted by the COVID19 pandemic—created a pressing need for rapid, scalable molecular tests. Mirxes emerged from ASTAR in 2014, founded by Dr Zhou Lihan, Professor Too Heng Phon and Dr Zou Ruiyang, who had developed a highly sensitive microRNA detection platform at NUS and ASTAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute. They recognised that microRNAs, once dismissed as “junk” DNA, could serve as powerful biomarkers for earlystage diseases such as cancer. With the onset of COVID19 in 2020, Singapore urgently needed robust testing solutions. This created an ideal opportunity for Mirxes to pivot its mSMRT-qPCR platform towards infectious disease diagnostics, enabling rapid, reliable response to a global health crisis

Our Solution

Leveraging scientific knowledge of partners at EDDC and DxD Hub, Mirxes commercialised and shipped various diagnostic test kits globally

The Impact

• Faster, smarter healthcare:
  GASTROClear boosts early cancer detection, enabling treatment before symptoms emerge, and has rapidly scaled in China, bringing its annual service revenue from US $0.6 million in 2022 to US $2.4 million in 2023
• Bolstered pandemic resilience:
  Mirxes’ rapid manufacturing pivot supported Singapore’s national testing strategy and supplied broadly, with a production peak of one million COVID19 kits per week
• Elevated national biotech capability:
  The advanced IVD facility not only strengthens Singapore’s MedTech manufacturing ecosystem but also creates skilled jobs and aligns with the Manufacturing 2030 vision
• Value through partnerships and brand trust:
  Collaboration with A*STAR institutes provides crucial technological support, regulatory guidance and brand credibility. Mirxes’ revenue now exceeds S$60 million, and it has grown to over 300 employees globally