Our Society

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

APEA – Outstanding Entrepreneur Award
Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award, Singapore

September 2010

Presented the Most Prestigious Asia Pacific awards for outstanding entrepreneurship. APEA recognizes business leaders for outstanding entrepreneurship as selected by an independent judging panel. These Awards are accorded to the exemplary few who have shown outstanding performance in the communication of their visions, brands and strategies. Our objective is to enhance the awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship amongst the general public and in turn, stimulate the growth of local and regional brands and enterprises both locally TM and regionally.

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Singapore

Finalist, New Enterprise, Singapore

October 2008

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) is an annual awards program that honors Singapore’s top entrepreneurs for their contributions to the economy and society. For more than 10 years, Ernst & Young has been committed to supporting the entrepreneurial cause in Singapore, coinciding with the government’s focus on fostering entrepreneurship and grooming local entrepreneurs to take on the world market.

 After a decade, the awards program has now evolved into a pre-eminent business award in the local business scene. It encourages the best entrepreneurs to step forward as outstanding role models and take up the challenge of representing Singapore at the annual Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year award in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

World Economic Forum : Technology Pioneer Award

World Economic Forum, Davos Switzerland
December 2007

The World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers programme recognizes companies, normally in a start-up phase, from around the world that are involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies, and hold promise of significantly impacting the way business and society operate.

Technology Pioneers must demonstrate visionary leadership and show signs of being long-standing market leaders – their technology must be proven. Each year, hundreds of innovative companies from around the world are reviewed, with approximately 30 selected as Technology Pioneers in the following three categories:

Information Technologies and New Media Energy and Environment
Life Sciences and Health

Spirit of Enterprise

Spirit of Enterprise – Singapore

May 2003

The Spirit of Enterprise promotes and advances entrepreneurial spirit in Singapore by honoring local self-reliant entrepreneurs operating small and medium-sized businesses. We also serve to inspire Singaporeans, especially the young, to become entrepreneurs by facilitating interaction, communication and knowledge dissemination between students, the entrepreneurs and the general public. 
http://www.soe.org.sg/files/123.htm

EDUCATION

INSEAD

2011, Singapore – France
Master of Business Administration (eMBA)

INSEAD is one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools. Since 1957, INSEAD has brought together people, cultures and ideas from around the world to change lives and transform organizations. All aspects of the research and teaching functions at INSEAD reflect a unique, truly global perspective, with a focus on diversity of culture as well as professional background. Three beautiful international campuses – in Abu Dhabi, Fontainebleau and Singapore – add to a truly global learning experience.

Tsinghua University

2011, Beijing China
Master of Business Administration (eMBA)

Tsinghua University’s rich history is intertwined with that of China, with thousands of its graduates playing significant roles in shaping the country as we know it. The Tsinghua University School of Economics & Management (SEM) is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious business schools in China. Founded in 1986 to champion the modern management of the Chinese economy, the Tsinghua University SEM is well positioned to help the Chinese economy move ahead in the international arena. As the Chinese economy has become more integrated into the world economy, Tsinghua University SEM’s research and teaching has also broadened its reach to international business management. Tsinghua University is located amongst lush gardens in northwest Beijing, China’s political, cultural and educational hub. The school was founded in 1911 on the site of Qing Hua Yuan – a former royal garden of the Qing Dynasty.

Nanyang Technological University

2010, AMP – Berkeley
Master of Business Administration (eMBA)

The Berkeley-Nanyang Advanced Management Programme (BNAMP) is a joint initiative between Haas School of Business at University of California at Berkeley, USA, and Nanyang Business School at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The Berkeley-Nanyang collaboration provides both business schools with an opportunity to cooperate in areas of teaching and research. Participants’ benefit by learning from internationally renowned faculty members and fellow classmates from diverse professional backgrounds. Previous participants have found the chance to discuss their business world and validate practices to be an invaluable networking opportunity.

University of South Australia

2010, Singapore – Australia
Doctor of Biology and Biotechnology (PhD)

Research degrees at UniSA provide valuable experience in engaging with industry, government, education providers and professions to solve real-world problems. Research degrees also help to develop transferable life and employability skills such as project management, high-level writing, public speaking, proposal development and specialist knowledge.

The University of Hull

1997, United Kingdom
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The taught elements of the Hull MBA are organized around five interconnected key themes. The main functional areas in business are addressed across the themes of Managing Relationships, Managing the Value Chain, and Managing knowledge

providing you with a comprehensive overview of how modern organizations operate. Alongside this specialist expertise the programme cultivates a broad perspective on the management of complex organizations, management decision-making and the personal and professional skills needed to operate effectively in dynamic international contexts. This is achieved through integrative material on the themes of Managing in a Global Context and Managing Strategically, exploring issues that run throughout the programme and across the functional themes.

Chicago Baxter Medical School

1991, Medical professional school and attachment sponsored by Baxter Inc

Institute of Data Processing Management

1984, Degree in Computer Science

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Executive Chairman | INVITROCUE LTD
Oct 2018 – present
Executive Director, CEO and Founder since 2013

PROFESSOR | UNIVERISTY OF ADELAIDE AUSTRALIA

School of Professions & Business

July 2016 – present

The Faculty is comprised of four schools – Architecture, Business, Economics, & Law. It encapsulates the notion that our excellence in teaching and learning is shaped by the needs and wants of the professions that we serve.

Council Member | SINGAPORE CANCER SOCIETY

May 2016 – present

Singapore Cancer Society is a community-based voluntary welfare organisation dedicated to maximising life by minimising the impact of cancer through research and advocacy, public education, screening, financial assistance, patient services and support, and rehabilitation.

Executive Director / Founder | INVITROCUE

Oct 2013 – present

Invitrocue was first founded in 2012 to commercialize proprietary 3D cell culture technology developed at A*STAR’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore. The technology has since been successfully developed into a commercial offering of in vitro liver models for drug toxicology testing. We have also developed a clinical service called Onco-PDO, leveraging Invitrocue’s extensive expertise and know-how in 3D cell culture to grow patient-derived cancer cells in its proprietary scaffolds and other platforms to test them against a range of cancer therapies. These technologies are a key advance in the treatment of a range of cancers, and we are already working with a number of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and clinical centres. Invitrocue is headquartered in Singapore, with operations in Australia, China, Hong Kong and Germany, and is listed on Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker IVQ.

Member of the Board | NTU VENTURES (NTUitive)

April 2014 – present

NTU Ventures Pte Ltd (NTUV) is the commercial arm and technology holding company of the Nanyang T echnological University . NTUV supports the University’s mission to promote innovation, cultivate entrepreneurship and facilitate the commercialization of research. Among the key functions of NTUV is the creation of start-up companies and the eco-system to support Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Our programmes are therefore designed to offer opportunities and provide the environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their dreams of running a successful business. The premise is that the incubation of start-ups requires nurturing through an extensive value chain and careful execution of a well-thought out plan. The reward of a successful programme of start-up incubation is the promise of high-end job creation and its contributions to economic development.

Council Member / Advisor | MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

ASPIRE Committee
Jan 2014 – present

Propose strategies and initiatives to enhance the currency and effectiveness of teaching and learning through greater involvement in research, innovation and enterprise activities with industry. Identify areas of focus for the polytechnics and ITE in which they can make strong contributions to industry in support of their teaching and learning mission.

General Partner | CLEARBRIDGE ACCELERATOR INCUBATOR

Jan 2013 – present

Clearbridge Accelerator Incubator is a Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) backed technology commercialization and incubator investment firm that aims to translate core technologies from the laboratory into commercial innovative products that will result in sustainable and lasting enterprises. Clearbridge investment focus areas are in biomedical devices, advanced materials and computational algorithms. Clearbridge Accelerator is also a SPRING Singapore co-funded Biomedical Sciences Accelerator (BSA).

Chairman of the Board | Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE Ltd)

Sept 2014 – present
Deputy Chairman since 2011

Chairman 2014 – 2015

SPRING Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry responsible for helping Singapore enterprises grow and building trust in Singapore products and services. As the enterprise development agency, SPRING works with partners to help enterprises in financing, capability and management development, technology and innovation, and access to markets. As the national standards and accreditation body, SPRING develops and promotes an internationally – recognized standards and quality assurance infrastructure. SPRING also oversees the safety of general consumer goods in Singapore. The Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) was launched in 26 May 2003 as a national effort to foster Singapore into a creative and entrepreneurial nation where innovation and enterprise can be translated into wealth creation and where diversity of ideas thrives. Relaunched on 29 September 2014, ACE efforts are focused on supporting aspiring Singaporean entrepreneurs in taking their first steps in starting up. A public-private collaboration, ACE aims to seed and nurture entrepreneurial start-ups to create good jobs for Singaporeans. ACE is non-profit organisation guaranteed by trust. The organisation is led by a Board of Trustees, a full executive management team and working committees.

Board Member / Advisor | MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY : PRO-ENTERPRISE PANEL

Jan 2012 – present

The Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP) was established in August 2000 to actively solicit feedback on rules and regulations that hinder businesses and stifle entrepreneurship. It is part of the Public Service 21 movement to ensure that government rules and regulations remain relevant and supportive of a pro- business environment. The PEP is part of the Public Service for the 21st Century (PS21) movement. PS21 is about the Singapore Public Service’s commitment to Anticipate, Welcome and Execute change; and influencing developments in order

to provide Singapore with the best conditions for success. Acting on feedback from the public, the PEP initiates review of rules and regulations that could potentially hinder businesses and stifle entrepreneurship. Suggestions received from the public are reviewed with the intention of simplifying and eliminating rules. In a fast and ever-changing environment, PEP hopes to update regulatory framework and create a climate conductive for all businesses to thrive and fulfill their potential. Since its inception, the PEP has reviewed almost 1,800 suggestions from businesses in a wide range of business sectors and more than half of them have been accepted after careful review. The suggestions have helped to remove outdated rules and licenses, simplify regulatory processes, and cut business costs. Agencies, in turn, have acquired a better understanding of businesses’ needs and are more receptive to rules review. In 2010, the PEP initiative won the 2010 Commonwealth Association for Public Administration & Management (CAPAM) International Innovations Awards, emerging first in the category of “Innovation in Public Service Management and Accountability.

Committee Member & Advisor | NANY ANG POL YTECHNIC

March 2009 – present

The NYP LSAC was formed to advise on bridging academic and industry educational needs. Chaired by A-Star Assoc Prof Ren Ee Chee, its members include Dr Tan Tin Wee (Acting Head of Biochemistry Department, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore), Ms Ng Wen Xu (Acting Head, Biomedical Sciences, Economic Development Board), Assoc Prof Ooi Eng Eong (Lab Head, Host-Pathogen Interactions Laboratory, DSO), Dr Lou Huei-Xin (Director, Pharmaceutical & Biologics Branch, Health Sciences Authority), Dr Goh Lay Beng (R&D Director, Kemin Industries), Dr Joseph Wee (Deputy Director, National Cancer Centre), Dr Patrick H M Loh (Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board and Advisor for Scientific Affairs, Eu Yan Sang International Limited), Dr Christina Chai (Head of New Synthesis, Techniques and Applications Research Program, Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences), Dr Joel Lee (Director -Life Sciences, School of Chemical & Life Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic)

Member | Ernst & Young, Singapore
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Singapore Academy (EOYSA)

Aug 2008 – present

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Singapore Academy (EOYSA), launched in 2005, comprises exceptional recipients and finalists of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards Singapore. This select group of outstanding entrepreneurs has been instrumental in shaping Singapore’s entrepreneurial landscape and inspiring the next generation. The EOYSA platform has opened up excellent networking opportunities for like-minded entrepreneurs through informal gatherings held regularly, facilitating the exchange of ideas, building strong relationships and fostering new business ties.

Co-Chairman | A*Star / Ministry of Trade & Industry – Technology Connect Task Force
Mar 2012 – 2013

The Tech-Connect Task Force reports to ACE Chairman, Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Teo Ser Luk, and serves to enable the national vision of encouraging more commercialization of public and private sector R&D as Singapore moves into higher value-added activities. The Task Force will coordinate cross-agencies inititiatives in (1) Formulating IP-friendly policies, (2) Promoting IP commercialization opportunities, and (3) Supporting IP translation activities.

President & Board of Governor | Spirit of Enterprise

Oct 2009 – 2012

The Spirit of Enterprise promotes and advances entrepreneurial spirit in Singapore by honoring local self-reliant entrepreneurs operating small and medium-sized businesses. We also serve to inspire Singaporeans, especially the young, to become entrepreneurs by facilitating interaction, communication and knowledge dissemination between students, the entrepreneurs and the general public. Our main event is the SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE AWARDS and in addition to the Award Ceremony there are other programmes: Student-Entrepreneur Program – Funds are given to Primary School students to start a business. Book – Each year we distribute a book with practical stories and guidance on entrepreneurship based on the interviews conducted with our award nominees to our local schools. The book is also available in leading bookstores and libraries. SOE Mentorship Programme – SOE is a partner of NUS initiative – Start- Up@Singapore 2008/2009. SOE provide mentorship assistance and guidance to student teams in their preparation of the Business Plan Competition. Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and the Spirit of Enterprise (SOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2008 to promote student entrepreneurship through a “Shadow-an-Entrepreneur” Programme.

Founder & Group CEO | Cordlife Ltd

Mar 2001 – 2012

CordLife Ltd. is a cord blood banking group based in Singapore and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. It currently has five cord blood processing and storage facilities, in Singapore, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Indonesia, Kolkata, India, and in Sydney, Australia. The company was founded in May 2001 by Steven Fang, as one of the first private cord blood banks in Southeast Asia and the first in Singapore. In December 2002, the company assisted in the first cord blood transplant from a privately banked source in Singapore. In April 2003, the company acquired the Massachusetts-based company, Cytomatrix LLC. In June 2004, the company restructured itself as CyGenics Ltd (ASX:CBB) and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

In December 2006, the company was awarded Technology Pioneer 2007 status by the World Economic Forum.[7][dead link] In March 2007, the company renamed itself to CordLife Ltd, to better reflect its focus on cord blood banking.

In July 2010, the company spun off its Singapore and Hong Kong operations into a separate entity to allow it to seek other growth opportunities. The new company is called Cordlife Group Ltd (CGL) which later IPO on SGX (CLGL), while the parent company CBB continues to be listed on the ASX and operating the remaining cord blood banking businesses in India, Indonesia and Philippines.

Founding Member & President | BioSingapore

Oct 2004 – 2008

BioSingapore was established in May 2004 as an industry association for life sciences businesses in Singapore with the support of the Economic Development Board of Singapore. BioSingapore was formally launched on 12 October 2004 at Biomedical Asia 2004. The launch is seen as an important milestone in the development of Singapore’ s biomedical sciences cluster. It is believed that this initiative will help local bioscience companies based in Singapore to engage key constituents, such as the financial community and will provide an open channel for regular interaction. http://www.biosingapore.org.sg/

General Manager | Beckon Dickinson, Singapore

Jan 1996 – 2005

BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products. BD is headquartered in the United States and has offices in more than 50 countries worldwide. BD Medical is among the world’s leading suppliers of medical devices and a leading innovator in injection- and infusion-based drug delivery since 1906, when the Company built the first-ever facility in the U.S. to manufacture needles and syringes. The BD Medical segment is focused on providing innovative solutions to reduce the spread of infection, enhance diabetes treatment and advance drug delivery. BD Diagnostics is a leading provider of products for the safe collection and transport of diagnostics specimens, as well as instruments and reagent systems to accurately detect a broad range of infectious diseases, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and cancers. The BD Diagnostics segment focuses on improving health outcomes for patients by providing laboratories with solutions that improve quality, enhance laboratory system productivity and inform medical decisions. BD Biosciences is a world leader in bringing innovative diagnostic and research tools to life science researchers, clinical researchers, laboratory professionals and clinicians who are involved in basic research, drug discovery and development, biopharmaceutical production and disease management. The BD Biosciences segment is focused on continually advancing the science and applications associated with cellular analysis and products that help grow living cells and tissue.

Business Unit Manager | Baxter International Inc, IL USA

Jan 1991 – 1995

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide. Baxter had 2011 sales of $13.9 billion and has approximately 48,500 employees. Baxter’s Medical Products business manufactures products used in the delivery of fluids and drugs to patients. These include intravenous (IV) solutions and administration sets, premixed drugs and drug-reconstitution systems, IV nutrition products, infusion pumps and inhalation anesthetics. The business also provides products and services related to pharmacy compounding, drug formulation and packaging technologies. In addition, Baxter’s Medical Products business is a leader in Renal home-based therapies, such as peritoneal dialysis, and offers other products and services for people with end-stage kidney disease.

Business Development & Sales | Sterling Drugs – GlaxoSmithKline

Oct 2004 – 2008

Sterling Drug was a global pharmaceutical company based in the United States, known as Sterling-Winthrop, Inc. after the merger with Winthrop-Stearns Inc. (which itself resulted from the merger of Winthrop Chemical Company Inc. and Frederick Stearns & Company) and then as Sterling Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, whose primary product lines included diagnostic imaging agents, hormonal products, cardiovascular products, analgesics, antihistamines and muscle relaxants. In 1988, Sterling was acquired by Eastman Kodak for $5.1 billion. In 1993, Eastman Kodak/Sterling Winthrop made a partnership with French pharmaceutical company Elf Sanofi (now known as Sanofi Aventis). In 1994, Sanofi acquired the prescription drug operations of Sterling Winthrop from Eastman Kodak for US$1.675 billion, and then it sold the diagnostic-imaging division a week later to Hafslund Nycomed AS, a Norwegian company, for US$450 million.Kodak then completely owned the over-the-counter drug business, including Bayer Aspirin and the U.S. rights to the Bayer name and trademarks, and sold them to SmithKline Beecham for US$1 billion, who then sold it back to Bayer AG in 1994 for US$1 billion. Spinoffs from the sale of Sterling include Starwin Products, created in 1987 from Sterling’s original branch in Ghana. The Lehn & Fink division was acquired by Reckitt & Colman (now Reckitt Benckiser) at the time of the deal.