Congratulations to our colleagues (Loi Choo, Faye and Evelyn) at Department of Pharmacology for winning 3rd Place at Public Service 9-pin Tap Bowling Tournament 2025!
Their dedication, teamwork and sporting spirit have brought pride to the department and NUS community.
Team NUS (Staff) Secures 3rd Place at Public Service 9-Pin Tap Bowling Tournament Read More »
The research team from NUS Medicine’s Dept of Pharmacology, from L to R: Dr Lam Hiu Yan, Mr Donavan Tan, and Asst Prof Alan Prem Kumar.
Researchers from NUS Medicine have published a landmark review on BH3 mimetics—a new class of drugs that are reshaping the treatment landscape for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant blood cancers.
AML has long challenged clinicians because leukaemia cells evade cell death by overexpressing proteins from the BCL-2 family. In healthy cells, they have a built-in self-destruct programme called apoptosis, which is controlled by a family of proteins called BCL-2 proteins. AML survives through suppressing apoptosis, enabling malignant cells to resist standard chemotherapy. BH3 mimetics are small-molecule inhibitors that directly target these pro-survival proteins, restoring the balance of the apoptotic pathway and allowing cancer cells to die.
The most successful of these drugs to date is venetoclax, a highly selective BCL-2 inhibitor. Clinical trials have shown that when combined with standard-of-care therapies such as hypomethylating agents (HMAs) or low-dose cytarabine (LDAC), venetoclax achieves significantly better remission and survival outcomes. These combinations are already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for newly diagnosed AML patients aged 75 and older, or those deemed unfit for intensive chemotherapy.
Assistant Professor Alan Prem Kumar from the Department of Pharmacology, and NUS Centre for Cancer Research at NUS Medicine, who co-led the study with Assistant Professor Courtney DiNardo, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA, said, “Venetoclax has transformed the treatment landscape for AML. For the first time, patients who were previously considered too frail for intensive chemotherapy have access to a treatment that significantly improves their chances of remission and survival.”
The team’s findings, published in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical impact of BH3 mimetics and chart future directions for optimising their use. To reach their conclusions, the research team conducted an extensive review of over 1,000 peer-reviewed articles, evaluating 236 high-quality publications. The analysis examined mechanisms of drug resistance, the therapeutic impact of BH3 mimetics, advances in profiling techniques, and the development of next-generation treatment strategies.
The review highlights several important findings about BH3 mimetics and their role in treating acute myeloid leukaemia. These drugs demonstrate potent anti-cancer activity, effectively inhibiting pro-survival BCL-2 proteins and proving capable of eradicating even non-dividing leukaemia cells with complex mutations.
Clinically, venetoclax has already transformed therapy, particularly for older or unfit patients who were once considered too frail for intensive chemotherapy. Its success has also spurred the development of multiple new drug combinations designed to improve outcomes further. However, venetoclax is not a cure-all. Many patients relapse as cancer cells switch their survival dependence to other proteins such as MCL-1 or BCL-xL, or develop mutations in genes such as TP53, KRAS, and FLT3.
“Cancer cells are highly adaptable, and resistance to therapy remains the biggest hurdle in AML treatment,” explained Donavan Jia Jie Tan, first-year medical student at NUS Medicine and a co-author of the study. “By targeting multiple pathways simultaneously—through new drugs, combination regimens, or advanced drug delivery systems—we can close off escape routes and improve the durability of treatment responses.”
“Tools such as BH3 and mitochondrial profiling are now paving the way for treatment strategies tailored to each patient’s cancer biology, allowing clinicians to predict responses and refine care on an individual basis” said Dr Lam Hiu Yan, research fellow with Dr Kumar’s group and another co-author in the study. “This information can help clinicians predict whether venetoclax will be effective or whether alternative BH3 mimetics targeting MCL-1 or BCL-xL should be used”.
“The future of AML treatment lies in personalisation,” said Asst Prof Kumar. “Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we can now tailor therapy to each patient’s biology, improving effectiveness and reducing unnecessary toxicity.”
Professor Chng Wee Joo, Yong Loo Lin Professor in Medical Oncology, NUS Medicine, and Senior Consultant at the Division of Haematology, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, who is not involved in the study, added, “We are now able to offer AML patients, especially older adults and those with other medical conditions, a therapy that is both tolerable and effective. The improvements in remission and survival we are seeing would have been unthinkable just a decade ago. The next step is to refine these treatments further, making them more precise and accessible for patients worldwide. With ongoing research, we hope to turn what was once a rapidly fatal disease into a more manageable, chronic condition.” Prof Chng is also Vice President (Biomedical Sciences Research), Office of the Deputy President (Research and Technology), NUS, and Senior Principle Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, NUS.
Ongoing clinical trials are exploring venetoclax in combination with novel agents such as FLT3 inhibitors and CD47-targeting drugs, with the potential to extend benefits to more patient groups. Other BH3 mimetics targeting MCL-1 and BCL-xL are also under investigation, supported by technological advances in drug design.
View the press release here.
New drug combinations pave the way for personalised leukaemia therapies Read More »
To strengthen MSc students’ understanding of LC-MS/MS applications in drug analysis and pharmacokinetics, the Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), jointly organized a hands-on workshop with SCIEX.
In his opening remarks, Associate Professor Gavin Dawe emphasized that such initiatives aim to enhance students’ competitiveness for PhD studies and careers in the pharmaceutical industry.
The workshop featured speakers from both academia and industry, including Mr. See Chung Yip (SCIEX), Dr. Ziteng Wang, and Associate Professor Lingzhi Wang. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with most rating the experience as “Very satisfied” or “Extremely satisfied.” Students appreciated the clear guidance and practical components, while also suggesting improvements such as more beginner-friendly content and enhanced visibility during demonstrations.
Building on the success of this workshop, the Department of Pharmacology plans to expand Capstone project opportunities to further enrich the MSc (Medical Pharmacology) programme.
Mass Spectrometry Workshop Read More »
The Department of Pharmacology congratulates 18 faculty members on being recognized among the top 2% of scientists worldwide for citation impact in 2025.
This global analysis, initiated by Professor John Ioannidis at Stanford University and published by Elsevier, highlights the significant contributions and impact of our faculty in advancing research and knowledge.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to:
This recognition is a testament to their dedication, excellence, and lasting impact on the scientific community.
Top 2% Scientist In the World 2025 Read More »
A new study led by researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) has demonstrated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) analysis of retinal photographs can predict an individual’s risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, this first-of-its-kind study in Singapore highlights the potential of retinal ageing biomarkers as a novel tool for brain health management.
Jointly led by Professor Cheng Ching-Yu, Director, Centre for Innovation and Precision Eye Health, NUS Medicine, and Professor Christopher Chen, Deputy Chair, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, NUS Medicine, the research team developed a novel deep-learning biomarker known as RetiPhenoAge, which estimates the biological age of the retina based on standard eye images. The study analysed data from over 500 participants recruited from memory clinics in Singapore. The findings showed that individuals with higher retinal biological age were at significantly greater risk (up to 25-40% increased risk, per standard deviation increase in RetiPhenoAge) of developing cognitive decline or dementia over a five-year period.
These findings were further validated in a larger population sample using data from more than 33,000 participants in the UK Biobank. In this cohort, elevated RetiPhenoAge was similarly associated with a higher risk of developing dementia over twelve years of follow-up, reinforcing its predictive utility across diverse populations. The study further showed that retinal ageing reflects key biological processes associated with neurodegeneration, with brain scans and blood markers used to validate RetiPhenoAge’s link to brain changes and ageing-related changes in blood proteins. While the retinal age algorithm has not yet been deployed within clinical practice, these associations suggest a novel alternative for the use of retinal ageing as a biomarker of cognitive health.
Prof Cheng said, “With RetiPhenoAge, we are able to non-invasively estimate an individual’s biological age, offering valuable insights for both cognitive health management and broader ageing research. This can help doctors identify people at risk of cognitive decline or dementia, before symptoms appear, enabling more targeted interventions. We hope to validate this screening tool in larger and more diverse populations, and assess its impact in clinical settings to guide earlier treatment of dementia.” Prof Cheng is also Principal Clinician Scientist at the Singapore Eye Research Institute.
Prof Chen added, “With dementia numbers rising globally, we urgently need tools that are both scalable and predictive. RetiPhenoAge could hold the key to community-level screening that is both effective and affordable. These findings bring us closer to developing simple and affordable screening modalities that can be integrated into routine health checks, enabling earlier detection of dementia risk and timely support.” Prof Chen is also from the Department of Pharmacology at NUS Medicine, and is the Director of the Memory, Ageing and Cognition Centre, NUHS and Visiting Consultant, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital (NUH).
Co-first authors of the study, Dr Sim Ming Ann and Asst Prof Tham Yih Chung, added, “We hope that these findings will lead to improvements in care, which will help doctors identify people at risk of dementia before symptoms appear, which may lead to earlier interventions and improved patient outcomes.” Dr Sim is a Consultant at the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and NUH, and a PhD candidate at NUS Medicine, while Asst Prof Tham is from the Centre for Innovation and Precision Eye Health, NUS Medicine and a Clinician Scientist at the Singapore Eye Research Institute.
This study marks a significant advancement in the field of digital biomarkers and demonstrates the potential of combining AI with non-invasive imaging to tackle pressing healthcare challenges. As RetiPhenoAge uses retinal scans from existing imaging tools already available in many Singapore polyclinics, it offers a convenient and scalable solution that can be seamlessly integrated into routine health checks. The research team is currently working to validate the biomarker across diverse populations in Asia and beyond, as well as to assess its applicability in both clinical and community healthcare settings.
Read more in the press release here.
Novel AI-powered eye scan predicts risk of cognitive decline and dementia Read More »
Congratulation to Dr. Saima Hilal (Joint Staff at NUS Pharmacology) on being selected as a recipient of the prestigious Singapore – New Zealand Joint Grant Call for Leveraging AI for Healthy Ageing. This international initiative, jointly launched by AI Singapore (AISG) and the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) in December 2024, aims to spur scientific advancements and foster collaboration between Singaporean and New Zealand researchers in artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare.
Dr. Hilal’s project, “An AI-Driven Risk Score for Dementia Ready for Clinical Use,” was selected after a competitive evaluation process involving research teams from both countries. She will lead the effort in partnership with Professor Lynette Tippett from the University of Auckland, combining expertise in neuroscience, AI, and clinical practice to develop an innovative tool that assesses dementia risk in older adults.
The grant will support the development and clinical validation of an AI-powered system capable of providing personalized dementia risk scores. Such a tool could revolutionize early detection and intervention strategies, improving quality of life for seniors and reducing healthcare burdens related to age-associated cognitive decline.
For more details: http://aisingapore.org/announcing-the-grant-awardees-of-the-singapore-new-zealand-joint-grant-call-for-leveraging-ai-for-healthy-ageing/
We are delighted to announce the successful launch of our new Master’s programme in Medical Pharmacology at the NUS Department of Pharmacology. Our inaugural orientation session was held on 5th and 6th August to warmly welcome the first cohort of students embarking on this exciting academic journey.
The event marked a significant milestone, introducing students to the programme structure, key academic and support staff, and the vibrant community they are now part of. A highlight of the session was the participation of our industry partners, who shared valuable insights into current trends in therapeutic discovery and development. Their perspectives provided students with a deeper understanding of the evolving pharmaceutical landscape and offered practical guidance on navigating their future careers.
This orientation also fostered meaningful connections—among students and between students and faculty members—setting the tone for a supportive and collaborative learning environment.
We look forward to walking alongside our students as they take this next step and are excited to see the contributions they will make to the field. Congratulations once again to our pioneering cohort, and welcome to the Pharmacology family!
MSc in Medical Pharmacology Launch and Orientation Day Read More »
Congratulations to Department of Pharmacology Team on receiving the award!
The award recognises teams who have delivered significant, School-wide initiatives or projects at NUS Medicine, resulting in measurable improvements and setting new benchmarks that advance the School’s vision and mission.
Congratulations to Asst/P Alan Prem Kumar on receiving the Graduate Mentor of the Year (GRAMAY) Award 2025. The GRAMAY Award is an annual award that honors and celebrates faculty staff for their excellence in mentorship and the professional development of graduate students in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. The award is given to recognize the important key roles played by the Faculty staff in inspiring and nurturing future biomedical- and clinician-scientists. The award recipients should have shown excellence in graduate supervision, intellectual and professional development as well as career development of their graduate students.
Winner of the Graduate Mentor of the Year (GRAMAY) Award 2025: Asst/P. Alan Prem Kumar Read More »
Today, biohacking is no longer the domain of Silicon Valley millionaires. It is gaining ground as a roadmap for living better, sharper and stronger. In Singapore, the movement takes on a more measured form, favouring science-backed habits over spectacle, and long-term health over overnight transformation.
Singapore-based biomedical scientist Dean Ho (Joint Professor at NUS Department of Pharmacology), the director of the Institute for Digital Medicine, or WisDM, and the N.1 Institute for Health, exemplifies this approach with data-led experiments, using his own biology as both testing ground and record, his body serving as part lab, part living notebook.
For him, the future of longevity is not just about individual experimentation, but also about making personalization scalable.
Full Article: https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/innovation/inside-the-biohacking-boom-in-singapore
The Longevity Code: Inside the biohacking boom in Singapore (featuring Prof. Dean HO) Read More »
