Singapore revolutionises therapeutics for cancer & infectious diseases

Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School have partnered with Singapore biotechnology company Xylonix to optimise liposome drug formulations and develop companion diagnostics for Xylonix’s novel cancer immunity drug, called 010DSZn. The research team aims to enhance uptake of 010DS-Zn by tumours using a nanoscale drug delivery system, where speciallydesigned liposomes carry both the drug and radioisotopes to permit real-time detection in living systems. A first-in-class tumoricidal compound with immune-initiating activities, 010DS-Zn has demonstrated potential for treating multiple cancer types and complications arising from COVID-19 infection by removing abnormally accumulating macrophages. This partnership offers great potential to improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients. But it also opens the door to revolutionise therapeutics for other areas including infectious diseases where we currently rely on a whole-body approach to treatment. If successful, this project will enhance health and improve the lives of patients in Singapore and around the world.