Vertex Ventures-backed life sciences accelerator kicks off in Singapore

Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) in Kent Ridge, Singapore. Photo credit: TLL.

A new biotech-focused accelerator program launched by Singaporean VC firm Vertex Ventures and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) kicked into gear this week with the confirmation of several key executives.

Temasek Life Sciences Accelerator (TLA) will focus on spinning out inventions and growing startups in three key areas – agri-food technology, industrial and synthetic biology, and human and veterinary sciences. It aims to become the “go-to incubator for life sciences in Singapore.”

TLA says it launched last year, though little has been heard about it up until today when it announced key executive appointments.

Han Sang-Uh – previously a director at Vertex – has been appointed managing director of TLA. In this post, Han oversees the commercialization and spin-off of technologies developed at TLL – a research institution supported by Temasek Trust, the philanthropic arm of Singaporean sovereign fund and Vertex parent Temasek Holdings, and affiliated with the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. He also manages investment activity relating to startups from outside of the lab. Han’s LinkedIn profile indicates that he has been in the role since April this year.

TLA also announced the appointment of Peter Chia, CEO at both TLA and TLL, and investment and risk management consultant Judy Lee as members of its board of directors.

Other board members include TLA chairman Teo Ming Kian, Vertex CEO Chua Kee Lock, and Anuj Maheshwari, managing director at Temasek Holdings.

Those interested in pitching their business plans can contact TLA here.