Atreca And A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore Establish Joint Laboratory For Immuno-Oncology

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., and SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atreca, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics based on a deep understanding of the human immune response, and the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), a research institute under Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), announced today the execution of a research collaboration agreement to advance Atreca’s high-throughput, microfluidic technology for single-cell, sequence-based analyses of human immune responses, critical in the discovery and development of immuno-oncology therapeutics.

“This collaboration with GIS will facilitate advancing our state-of-the-art technology for analyzing human and model system immune responses, a capability that is central to Atreca’s therapeutic focus in immuno-oncology”

Co-funded by A*STAR and Atreca, and involving Atreca’s Singapore subsidiary, Atreca Pte. Ltd., this research effort will establish a joint lab at the GIS facility in Singapore’s Biopolis campus to add new capabilities to Atreca’s microfluidic technology for next-generation sequence analysis of expressed genes in single cells. These capabilities will include identification of genes for immunoglobulin superfamily members, such as antibodies and T cell receptors (TCRs), as well as other genes in B and T cells that play important roles in directing the body’s immune response towards cancer and pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. The ability to analyze these genes is expected to pave the way for more targeted and effective immunotherapies. Yann Chong Tan, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Atreca, Inc., and an A*STAR scholar, will head the Atreca-GIS Joint Laboratory.

“This collaboration with GIS will facilitate advancing our state-of-the-art technology for analyzing human and model system immune responses, a capability that is central to Atreca’s therapeutic focus in immuno-oncology,” commented Tito A. Serafini, Ph.D., Atreca’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-Founder. “GIS offers a world-class research environment, bringing together leading expertise in next-generation sequencing, molecular cytogenetics, bioinformatics, and single cell genomics, and we are delighted to work with them on this effort.”

Prof. Ng Huck Hui, Executive Director of GIS, stated, “We welcome the opportunity to partner with Atreca. This will see significant advancements in our research, including in precision medicine and infectious diseases, and further our collaborative work with the clinical community to offer therapeutic answers directly to patients.”

About Atreca, Inc.

Atreca is a privately held biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics drawn from human immune responses, including effective anti-cancer immune responses. We are able to measure and analyze the structure of clinically relevant immune responses to identify the antibodies, T cell receptors, and targets that are key to successful treatment outcomes. Atreca’s proprietary Immune Repertoire Capture® technology profiles a patient’s immune response at the single-cell level at very high throughput without bias or error, enabling the identification and generation of functional human antibodies and TCRs without prior knowledge of antigen. The Company is advancing a pipeline of candidates with the objective of enhancing engagement of the human immune response in cancer treatment and other indications, thus optimizing therapeutic outcomes. For more information on Atreca, please visit www.atreca.com.

About A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS)

The Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) is an institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). It has a global vision that seeks to use genomic sciences to achieve extraordinary improvements in human health and public prosperity. Established in 2000 as a center for genomic discovery, the GIS will pursue the integration of technology, genetics and biology towards academic, economic and societal impact. The key research areas at the GIS include Human Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Computational and Systems Biology, and Translational Research. The genomics infrastructure at the GIS is utilized to train new scientific talent, to function as a bridge for academic and industrial research, and to explore scientific questions of high impact. For more information about GIS, please visit www.gis.a-star.edu.sg.

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR):

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit society. As a Science and Technology Organization, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and Research Institutes, the wider research community and industry. A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For more information on A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.