TECS

Featured Portfolio Projects


1. Biobot Surgical Pte Ltd
Biopsy Robot for Early Detection of Prostate Cancer


Problem Description:




While prostate cancer has been the most common cancer in American and European men for the last 5 years, its incidence in Asia has been rising. Known to be an aging problem, there are standard means of diagnosis for the disease, but a prostate biopsy remains the only means of histological confirmation – using a needle to take a small tissue sample for verification. This is currently obtained via a puncture either through the rectum or through the area forward of the rectum, which carries the potential risk of injuries and shortcomings.

Proposed Solution:


Biobot Surgical has developed early prototypes of a robotic biopsy device that aims to perform precisely targeted prostate biopsy treatment, while minimizing the risk of the potential morbidities and shortcomings of existing approaches. Through the POV project, the company aims to enhance the accuracy, productivity, safety & portability of the prototypes.

Potential Impact & Achievement:

The robotic device will be the first automated prostate biopsy robot in the world that allows early detection of prostate cancer while minimizing the inaccuracies and infection risks associated with the existing methods. Biobot Surgical has recently secured a 3rd party follow-on investment, and is on track to commercialise the device in the near future.

Area of Technology: Electronics, Photonics & Device Technologies
Awarded: TECS POV, Aug ‘08




2. SPN Intl Pte Ltd (formerly known as Cal-Comp Technology Pte Ltd)
Nanocoating technology for hard disk drive


Problem Description:




The Hard Disk Drive (HDD) industry requires low contamination level in its mechanical components to avoid formation of microscopic particles, which can damage (e.g. scratch) disk surface when trapped, leading to head crash and media corruption. Furthermore, the distance from disk to read-and-write head (fly height) is required to be small, but is limited by the possible presence of microscopic particles that take up space.

Proposed Solution:



Through the POV project, SPN Intl aims to develop a novel SPN® Nanocoating Technology which holds the promise of protecting the surface of the mechanical components to prevent hard particle contamination of HDD. The current data shows a 10 times improvement over conventional methods. The automated process is able to produce large quantities, while maintaining good and consistent quality, positively leading to extended lifespan of HDD.

Potential Impact & Achievement:

SPN® is a platform technology which revolutionalises the contamination control of HDD, with strong potential in extending into other types of industrial application. The project is near completion and the technology capability has been demonstrated to key industrial customers.

Area of Technology: Chemicals, Advanced Materials and Micro/Nanotechnology
Awarded: TECS POV, Aug ‘08




3. Clearbridge Biomedics Pte Ltd
Cancer biochip for trapping, enumerating and retrieving of Circulating Tumour Cells


Problem Description:



Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are important in cancer detection and treatment. However, they are extremely rare (1 in 1 billion cells), and are very difficult and costly to retrieve. Current methods require biomarkers and complicated processing which change the CTCs. An even bigger challenge lies in retrieving the cells in its whole, intact, native state.

Proposed Solution:




Through the POV project, Clearbridge Biomedics aims to develop a CTC Microfiltration BioChip to isolate, enumerate and retrieve wholly intact, viable CTCs from patient whole blood. This patented, biomarker- and label-free, micro-fluidic based biochip uses crescent-shaped micro-isolation wells to gently separate CTCs from blood components due to differences in the biomechanical deformability. These retrieved, native state CTCs can then be used in the entire cancer management process (from screening, staging, treatment and monitoring), helping clinicians make timely decisions and for patients to receive life-saving treatments.

Potential Impact & Achievement:


CTC Microfiltration BioChip can potentially be the next generation of non-invasive ‘liquid biopsy’ for cancer, paving the way for personalised cancer treatment to fit the needs of each patient’s unique tumour biology. The project is making good progress and will be showcased at the 3rd World Cancer Congress at Singapore in middle of 2010.

Area of Technology: Biomedical Sciences
Awarded: TECS POV, Oct ‘09




4. Double Helix Tracking Technologies Pte Ltd
DNA Verified(TM) Timber Origin


Problem Description:



Verification of wood origin is important since United States introduced new legislation to address the problem of illegal-logging in 2008. Now, US importers of wood products must declare the country of harvest of the wood as well as the species. Existing document audit processes used by the timber industry are vulnerable to fraud and therefore unreliable as evidence of wood origin.

Proposed Solution:

Through the POC project, Double Helix Tracking Technologies aim to demonstrate an affordable method to verify the origin of wood products using DNA. The project involves developing a genetic database and creating DNA extraction techniques specific to wood.

Potential Impact & Achievement:


The DNA method offers the first scientific method to verify origin and validate import declarations at very low cost, which enable the company to attract significant interest from the timber industry and governments of importing countries. While the project is nearing completion and the company is also exploring the use of cutting-edge genetic techniques to bring the system to an even higher level beyond the POC project scope.

Area of Technology: Biomedical Sciences
Awarded:TECS POC, Jun ‘09



(Note: All projects involve the development, or building-on, of proprietary technology. Specific information on the technologies involved/developed has therefore been excluded.)