Angsana Molecular & Diagnostics Laboratory (Angsana) and Pathnova Laboratories (Pathnova) have merged to form Archerfish Precision Diagnostics Private Limited (Archerfish) bringing significant development to Singapore's clinical diagnostics field. A strategic merger between Angsana in molecular diagnostics and Pathnova in serology and AI positions Archerfish as a powerhouse in advanced diagnostic solutions.
A consortium of strategic investors, including Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, The Life Sciences Innovation Fund, Temasek Life Sciences Accelerator, and SEEDS Capital, have backed the merger. With the merger, both laboratories will have access to a comprehensive portfolio of advanced diagnostic assays in addition to their current portfolio.
By facilitating more collaboration in public-private partnerships, Archerfish is expected to contribute to healthcare cost efficiency. By working closely with government agencies and healthcare providers, Archerfish aims to improve access to high-quality diagnostic services.
In Asia, Angsana was the first to introduce clinical Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to the field of molecular oncology. It has a strong track record of bringing clinical diagnostics tests to the market and successfully commercializing them. Pathnova specialises in the development and manufacturing of diagnostic products, including the creation of intellectual property related to novel diagnostic technologies, exemplified by their proprietary early screening test for nasopharyngeal cancer. Asia-specific diseases are at the center of both labs' research. By expanding access to innovative, accurate diagnostic services, Archerfish will cater to both the private and public sectors of healthcare.
Archerfish will address a critical gap in Singapore’s clinical laboratory landscape, seamlessly translating scientific evidence into practical, high-quality clinical laboratory solutions," added Dr. Ian Cheong, Director of Archerfish Precision Diagnostics and Co founder of PathNova Laboratories.
The merger of these two laboratories fosters a dynamic synergy, uniting expertise and resources to drive groundbreaking innovation and create a significant positive impact on society," said Peter Chia, CEO of Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory.
Advancing Diagnostic Innovation
Archerfish aims to be the leading provider of diagnostic innovation in early cancer screening and precision diagnostics for cancer and other diseases. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and pioneering research, the company is expanding its portfolio of diagnostic tests to drive innovation in clinical practice.
Next-Generation Sequencing
Advancements in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) are advancing beyond personalised cancer care to detect infectious diseases as well. For instance, metagenomic NGS (mNGS) enables the comprehensive identification of microorganisms, offering the potential to detect a wide range of viral and bacterial infections from a single plasma sample within a clinically actionable timeframe.
Data-Driven Disease Detection
A data-driven approach to disease detection is also being developed by the company through serum proteomics and serological profiling. With advancements in aptamer technology, it is now possible to profile thousands of proteins in serum, creating a versatile and powerful tool for diagnostic applications.
Artificial Intelligence
To maximize the potential of these data-driven methods, Archerfish is integrating artificial intelligence to refine pattern analysis, improving disease detection and predictive accuracy. These innovations continue to enhance diagnostics and improve patient outcomes.
