SINGAPORE, Oct. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Raffles Medical Group (the Group) and Gene Solutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 22 October 2025 to streamline patient recruitment for oncology clinical trials, marking a significant milestone in advancing precision medicine in Southeast Asia.
Under this partnership, the Group and Gene Solutions will collaborate to identify patients eligible for pharma-sponsored clinical trials. Patients undergoing Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) via Gene Solutions will be automatically screened for eligibility. The Group's Clinical Trials Unit will collaborate closely with local oncologists to facilitate patient enrolment. This initiative aims to make cutting-edge cancer treatments more accessible and support more equitable access to clinical trials across the region.
Empowering patients with new opportunities
Through this collaboration, patients in Vietnam and Southeast Asia will have improved opportunities to join innovative cancer studies without traditional barriers. From initial genetic testing and eligibility screening to ongoing clinical care and assistance, patients and their families will receive guidance to navigate complex treatment journeys with confidence and clarity.
Understanding precision medicine
Modern cancer treatments are moving beyond "one-size-fits-all" approaches. Precision therapies, such as targeted drugs and immunotherapies, work by focusing on specific genetic changes or immune pathways that drive cancer growth. While many targeted therapies are already approved, there are still numerous genes and mutations without effective drugs. This is why more clinical trials are essential to evaluate new treatments and bring more hope to patients.
As Gene Solutions' signature oncology test, K-4CARE, states in its tagline: "Unveiling details, unlocking hope"—the more we understand about a tumor's DNA and RNA profile, the greater the chance patients have of accessing approved drugs or joining global clinical trials. To identify these opportunities, doctors need to look deep into the tumor's genetic code. This is where Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) comes in. Gene Solutions uses NGS to decode the cancer's genetic profile and pinpoint patients who may respond to advanced treatments. Without this testing, many patients would never know they qualify for life-changing clinical trials.
Expert perspective
Professor Yasuo Saijo, Medical Oncologist at Raffles Medical Indochina, shared: "For oncologists, genomic insights are transforming how we approach cancer care. By understanding the tumor's genetic and transcriptomic profile, we can make more informed decisions, such as selecting the right therapy at the right time, tailoring treatment to each patient's unique biology, and improving both outcomes and quality of life."
Raffles' dedicated Clinical Trials Unit
Raffles Medical Group brings decades of experience in delivering high-quality cancer care and conducting clinical trials. Through its Raffles Cancer Centre and dedicated Clinical Trials Unit, the Group has participated in more than 50 international studies, ensuring patients receive access to promising therapies under the highest standards of safety and ethics. Its multi-disciplinary approach and advanced facilities in Singapore make it a trusted destination for complex cancer care and innovative treatments across Southeast Asia.
First step: KRYSTAL-7
The collaboration will begin with KRYSTAL-7, a global study enrolling participants diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with KRAS G12C mutation who have received no prior treatments. This is the first of many clinical trials planned under the partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovation and international cooperation.
"Raffles Medical Group is delighted to partner with Gene Solutions to bring cutting-edge clinical trials to patients in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia. This collaboration reflects our commitment to advancing precision medicine and improving patient outcomes," says Mr. Wilson Lai, General Manager of Raffles Medical Indochina.
"With one of the largest market shares for comprehensive genomic profiling across Southeast Asia, Gene Solutions can pre-screen a vast pool of patients and identify those who may benefit from clinical trials. By combining this capability with Raffles' clinical excellence, we can accelerate access to promising new therapies for patients throughout the region," says Dr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen, Co-founder and Deputy CEO of Gene Solutions.
About Gene Solutions
Gene Solutions is a multinational biotechnology company at the forefront of genetic testing and research innovation across the Asia-Pacific region. Leveraging Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Artificial Intelligence, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of advanced solutions, including:
- Next-generation non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which covers both fetal abnormalities and maternal health indicators.
- Clinically validated multi-cancer screening using multi-omics circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) technology for early detection and tumor-of-origin localization.
- Comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic profiling combined with clinically validated ctDNA-based molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring to guide precision treatment and track disease progression.
With over two million genetic tests delivered since 2017, Gene Solutions is recognized for its proprietary research, CAP-accredited laboratories, and contributions to advancing precision medicine through clinical studies, technology development, and regional collaborations. For more information, please visit genesolutions.com.
About Raffles Medical Group
Founded in 1976, Raffles Medical Group is one of the leading integrated private healthcare providers in the region, providing a continuum of services from primary and tertiary care to health insurance for people across Asia. A proudly Singaporean brand, RMG is listed on the mainboard of the Singapore stock exchange (SGX: BSL) and operates in 14 cities in five countries in Asia. This network includes four hospitals and over 100 multi-disciplinary clinics, offering services such as health screening, specialist care, diagnostic radiology, dental and traditional Chinese medicine. Together with about 2,900 employees, RMG brings over 48 years of trusted healthcare expertise and care to more than 2.8 million patients across our network as their trusted partner for health. For more information, please visit rafflesmedicalgroup.com.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Raffles Medical Group Partners Gene Solutions to Expand Access to Global Cancer Clinical Trials
Raffles Medical Group Partners Gene Solutions to Expand Access to Global Cancer Clinical Trials
- Global agri-food innovation competition names four winning startups during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
- HyveGeo, Permia Sensing, Flybox, and Akorn Technology to share USD 2 million to pilot and scale solutions in the UAE and the Global South.
ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The third edition of the UAE FoodTech Challenge, a global competition that identifies and scales the world's most promising agri-tech innovations, concluded at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with the announcement of four winning startups:
Category: Climate-Smart Food Production
- Permia Sensing uses AI, bioacoustic sensors and drone imaging to monitor tree health. Already covering over 15,000 hectares of palm plantations in Sri Lanka, the technology offers early detection of stress factors, such as dehydration and pest infestations, enabling farmers to boost yields and reduce waste. They now plan to work with local partners to finesse and localize their solution for the UAE and scale its application across the Middle East.
- HyveGeo turns agricultural waste into a carbon-rich biochar, then enriches it with microbes to create a high-performance soil enhancer. This circular, nature-based approach is already being used by farmers and landscape managers across the UAE, transforming arid, desert soil into fertile, arable land. As winners, they plan to expand their research and launch pilots in markets across the Global South.
ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The third edition of the UAE FoodTech Challenge, a global competition that identifies and scales the world's most promising agri-tech innovations, concluded at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with the announcement of four winning startups:
Category: Climate-Smart Food Production
Category: Food Loss & Waste Reduction
- Akorn Technology produces a natural, edible coating for fruit and vegetables, including a vegetable protein to slow ripening, a wax to reduce moisture loss, and a vegetable oil to maintain color. Their solution is already being used in Egypt and Ghana to extend the shelf life of produce and cut post-harvest losses, and will now be optimized for use in the UAE and arid environments across the region.
- Flybox uses black soldier fly larvae to convert agricultural byproducts into high-quality protein and fertilizer, while reducing waste sent to landfill. Housed in shipping containers, their off-grid, low-cost solution is currently being used in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria, and will now launch in the UAE, with plans for working with local waste management partners to deploy at scale.
From an initial pool of 1,215 submissions from 113 countries, ten finalists advanced to the final stage of the competition, presenting their solutions in live pitches to an international judging panel comprising senior leaders and experts in food systems, sustainability, investment, and international development. Following evaluation, the four winning startups were announced during an awards ceremony on the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week main stage.
Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge, remarked:
"Building resilient and secure food systems is central to the UAE's long-term vision for a prosperous future. The latest winners of the UAE FoodTech Challenge now join a growing community of past awardees, who have since raised over USD 48 million in follow-on funding and launched more than 50 pilot projects across the UAE and other markets. As they begin this next phase of their journey, support from our network of partners and UAE's world-class innovation ecosystem will serve as a launchpad for their solutions, enabling them to contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems in the UAE, the global south, and worldwide."
The four teams will share a USD 2 million prize and will be invited to scale their solutions in the UAE, where they will receive tailored in-kind support, including pilot opportunities, access to research facilities, market-entry guidance, mentorship, and investor introductions through an extensive network of local and international partners. From this base, the winners will work to deploy and scale their solutions across key markets in the Global South, supporting more resilient and sustainable food systems.
Fatema Almulla, Senior Specialist Development, International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, said:
"The UAE plays a leading role in international development, with agricultural innovation central to its global engagement. Through the UAE FoodTech Challenge, winning startups are embedded within a proven development ecosystem; where advanced technologies, policy leadership, and global expertise come together to accelerate solutions from pilot to scale. This is how innovation is translated into measurable impact, from the UAE to climate-vulnerable regions worldwide."
This year's FoodTech Challenge is organized by the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Tamkeen, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, ne'ma (The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative), and Silal. The finalist cohort represents a diverse range of approaches to food system innovation, including advanced technologies for post-harvest preservation, waste-to-value conversion, precision agriculture, and resource-efficient food production.
Shelly Sundberg, Deputy Director of Adaptive and Equitable Food Systems at the Gates Foundation, said:
"The UAE FoodTech Challenge plays an important role in advancing practical, scalable, and accessible solutions that can strengthen food security across underserved and climate-vulnerable populations. At the Gates Foundation, we are proud to support initiatives that translate innovation into real-world impact, helping food systems reduce loss, improve sustainability, and expand access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. These are essential to building more resilient food systems in the face of climate and economic pressures."
Khuloud Nowais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne'ma Steering Committee, said:
"Seeing the caliber of this year's winners and the diversity of their solutions has been truly inspiring. As a judge, it has been encouraging to witness the growing sophistication of solutions that address food loss and waste challenges. At ne'ma, we are proud to support initiatives that turn ideas into actionable, lasting impact for food systems."
The UAE FoodTech Challenge identifies and accelerates agri-food technology solutions that boost food production and reduce food loss and waste in arid and increasingly climate-stressed environments. Attracting technology-driven innovations that can be refined in the UAE and scaled internationally, the competition directly supports the UAE's long-term food security ambitions and contributes to global food system resilience.
To learn more about the FoodTech Challenge, visit: www.foodtechchallenge.com
See YouTube videos of the winners here:
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
The UAE FoodTech Challenge 2026 Winners to Join National Agri-Tech Ecosystem and Support Global Food Security
