In an effort to accelerate the development of treatments for complex fibrotic conditions, Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and digital pathology pioneer HistoIndex have entered into a strategic partnership. Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two organizations will collaborate on the preclinical evaluation and characterization of therapeutic candidates targeting various fibrotic diseases, including cancer-associated fibrosis.

The agreement, signed during a ceremony on 30 September 2026, represents a significant step forward in translational medicine. By combining A*STAR's extensive biomedical research capabilities with HistoIndex's proprietary artificial intelligence and imaging technologies, the partnership aims to address a critical bottleneck in drug development: the objective measurement of treatment efficacy in early-stage therapeutic pipelines.

Bridging AI Pathology and Preclinical Therapeutics

Evaluating therapeutic candidates for fibrotic diseases during early-stage development has historically been a complex challenge. Fibrosis, characterized by the excessive accumulation of scar tissue, can affect multiple organs and is a key driver of disease progression in conditions ranging from liver disorders to cancer-associated microenvironments. Determining whether a drug candidate can successfully prevent, halt, or reverse this tissue scarring requires highly sensitive and objective measurement tools.

The collaboration addresses this challenge by integrating HistoIndex's proprietary imaging technology and AI-powered, fully quantitative tissue analysis into A*STAR's preclinical workflows. This platform provides researchers with precise, automated, and stain-free visualization of biological tissues, allowing for a more rigorous assessment of how therapeutic candidates interact with fibrotic structures.

The Core of the Collaboration: Quantifying Fibrosis

At the heart of this partnership is HistoIndex's specialized digital pathology platform. Founded in 2010, HistoIndex has developed biophotonic technology that eliminates the need for traditional chemical staining of tissue samples. This stain-free approach, coupled with automated AI analysis, offers several distinct advantages for preclinical research:

  • Objective Measurement: By removing subjective human interpretation from tissue scoring, the platform delivers highly reproducible and standardized data.
  • High Sensitivity: The AI algorithms can detect subtle, micro-level changes in collagen structure and fibrotic tissue that might be missed by conventional microscopy.
  • Quantitative Insights: Researchers receive fully quantitative metrics on tissue changes, enabling precise tracking of drug efficacy and treatment response over time.

These capabilities will support the evaluation of A*STAR's pipeline of therapeutic candidates, helping research teams make data-driven decisions on which assets to advance into clinical phases.

Strategic Alignment and Scientific Exchange

The partnership extends beyond immediate preclinical testing. The MoU establishes a framework for ongoing scientific exchange between A*STAR and HistoIndex. This collaborative ecosystem will explore several key areas of translational research:

  • Biomarker Discovery: Identifying novel biological markers to better predict disease progression and patient response to therapy.
  • Translational Research: Bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications to accelerate drug development timelines.
  • Joint Development and Commercialisation: Exploring opportunities to co-develop therapeutic solutions and bring innovative medical technologies to the global market.

Dr Lisa Ooi, Assistant Chief Executive of A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), highlighted the importance of this rigorous approach, stating that understanding whether a candidate can prevent, halt, or reverse fibrosis requires accurate and objective measurement of changes in fibrotic tissue. She noted that the collaboration will help assess these effects more rigorously, ultimately helping to advance innovations that improve patient outcomes.

From Spin-Off to Global Partner: HistoIndex's Journey

For HistoIndex, this collaboration represents a homecoming. The company was established in 2010 as an early medical technology spin-off from A*STAR itself. Over the years, HistoIndex has expanded its footprint globally, with its digital pathology solutions widely adopted by pharmaceutical companies and clinical researchers worldwide.

Dr Gideon Ho, Chief Executive Officer of HistoIndex, expressed the special significance of bringing this globally validated technology back to Singapore to collaborate with the local research community. The partnership underscores Singapore's success in nurturing home-grown scientific talent and spinning off viable commercial entities that can return to enrich the local ecosystem.

In addition to this regional partnership, HistoIndex continues to engage with the global scientific community, showcasing its digital pathology and AI-based tissue analysis capabilities at international forums, including the upcoming AASLD The Liver Meeting Exhibition in Denver, Colorado.