Vertex Ventures launches life sciences accelerator

Vertex Ventures has launched a new biotechnology-focused accelerator programme in partnership with Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL). TLL is supported by Temasek Trust, the philanthropic arm of Temasek Holdings, the state investor of Singapore. TLL is affiliated with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Called the Temasek Life Sciences Accelerator (TLA), the new entity will concentrate on commercialising its inventions and growing startups in three key areas — agri-food technology, industrial and synthetic biology, and human and veterinary sciences.

According to a report from Tech in Asia, TLA was launched last year but has received minimal media attention till its recent announcement of key executive appointments. It will be headed by managing director Han Sang Woo, who previously worked as a director at Vertex Ventures.

In this new role, he will oversee the commercialisation and spin-off of technologies developed at TLL.