SINGAPORE, August 26, 2025
In a milestone step towards enhancing Singapore’s leadership in AI-driven biomedical innovation, homegrown Nanyang Biologics Pte Ltd (NYB), an award-winning AI-driven biotech firm spun out from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) over the past seven years, is working with Equinix and HPE to offer Vecura, an as-a-Service proprietary AI-driven platform for drug discovery to advance development from natural sources. With the support of these global leaders, NYB also aims to build the world’s largest natural drug compound library in Singapore within the next year.
The parties came together today to sign an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Multi-Party Collaborative Business Engagement, at the inaugural AI4Life Summit at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. The Summit which aims to be an annual event – is a national initiative by NYB to accelerate drug discovery through artificial intelligence (AI) and foster collaboration across different sectors.
Gracing this milestone event is Ms Goh Hanyan, co-chair of the Committee on Technology and Innovation and Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, who hailed this initiative as another significant step in Singapore’s quest to be a leading hub for healthcare and biomedical and life sciences in Asia.
Commenting on this collaboration with the world’s top leaders in technology and innovation, NYB’s Chairman Dr Roland Ong, emphasized its key objective: “We are working together to transform nature’s pharmacy into tomorrow’s solutions for health and well-being. We are building on the pioneering research of our NYB–NTU Joint Laboratory, which has been studying tropical medicinal plants since 2019. NYB’s mission is to turn this hidden chemistry into therapies and wellness solutions. To achieve this, the company has built one of the world’s most diverse living libraries — already comprising over 50,000 unique organisms and their chemical compounds — and paired it with Vecura, NYB’s proprietary AI platform, to uncover what was once invisible. This initiative also positions Singapore as a global hub where biodiversity meets artificial intelligence, and where hidden compounds are translated into breakthroughs for better healthcare, wellness, and everyday life.”
Singapore’s biopharmaceutical and medical technology sector is a vital component of the nation’s economy. In 2023, it accounted for 2.6% of Singapore’s GDP and generated nearly $38 billion in product value for global markets, according to JTC. The country’s strategic location, strong infrastructure, and supportive ecosystem make it an attractive destination for companies in the biomedical field.1
MOU – a first for Singapore and Asia
The signing of the MOU is the first ever joint effort among global leaders Equinix and HPE with homegrown NYB.
Under the MOU, NYB will lead platform development, working closely with its partner to optimise model performance on next-generation GPU architectures and integrate seamlessly into its global AI ecosystem. HPE will power the engine with powerful computing and AI infrastructure to enable large-scale molecular screening, while Equinix anchors the system within sovereign digital infrastructure, ensuring both security and international accessibility.
Commenting on this exclusive collaboration, Mr Giang Nguyen, NYB’s Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) said, “NYB’s living library is continuously expanding, this process is creating a huge and growing database of potential therapeutic impact. To scale this effort, NYB has chosen to work with global leaders like Equinix and HPE who provide enterprise-grade infrastructure to power the Vecura platform. The support from these global giants forms the foundation of Vecura to enable the growth of NYB’s expanding compound library, reducing R&D costs and timelines while enabling breakthroughs in oncology, neuroscience, metabolic health, and beyond.”
Speaking at the Summit, each of the partners elaborated on their roles and how they will play a pivotal role in driving AI-powered innovations that are reshaping drug discovery and advancing healthcare solutions worldwide.
Ms Yee May Leong, Managing Director, Equinix, Singapore, said, “Today, we stand at the forefront of a transformative era in healthcare and life sciences, fuelled by the power of collaboration and innovation. Partnering with Nanyang Biologics and HPE, we are harnessing AI to accelerate drug discovery, enhance patient outcomes and redefine what is possible. This consortium is a catalyst for change, empowering us to unlock limitless opportunities and create a future where healthcare is accessible, effective, and personalized for all.”
“The convergence of artificial intelligence and biotechnology holds transformative potential for global healthcare, said Mr Khai Peng Loh, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, HPE. “Our collaboration with NYB and Equinix marks a pivotal moment in accelerating drug discovery through scalable AI infrastructure. By powering Vecura with HPE’s AI infrastructure and computing, we’re enabling researchers to screen millions of natural compounds with unprecedented speed and precision.”
Transforming Global Drug Discovery using Scalable AI
Helming the collaboration, NYB will leverage on its significant knowledge and recognition gained in the area of AI-driven healthcare to transform global drug discovery. By combining biodiversity and AI, Vecura enables the identification of therapeutic candidates that may not be captured through traditional discovery methods. Vecura can improve both hit quality and translational relevance, with 27% higher predictive accuracy and 64x greater screening efficiency than conventional methods.
Using this robust AI infrastructure, Vecura can run faster, scale more efficiently, and reduce R&D costs by more than 50%, while remaining flexible for growing compound libraries and complex pipelines.
“Our collaboration with world leaders with extensive networks and deep knowledge in their respective fields will drive our growth tremendously in terms of scalability, connectivity and security,” added Mr Giang.
The global partners will be able to provide enterprise-grade infrastructure including:
- GPU-powered infrastructure that supports high-volume molecular screening at unprecedented speed and scale;
- Global connectivity that enables seamless collaboration with research organizations and accelerates discovery worldwide;
- Accessibility to robust healthcare and life sciences ecosystems hosted in Equinix data centers in Singapore and across the globe, allowing direct and secure data exchange between industry players, and
- Secure, energy-efficient systems designed to support sustainable operations while safeguarding sensitive scientific data.
Heralding A New Era of Drug Discovery
“Since the dawn of time, humanity has looked to nature as the bedrock of knowledge and healing. Together with our partners, we are transforming the diversity of life around us into discoveries that improve health, enhance resilience, and enrich the lives of communities everywhere. By knowing what exists in nature and accurately mapping its effects on the human body, we can give humanity greater control over health — and ultimately, over longevity itself,” said Mr Giang.
NYB’s innovations have gained coveted recognition – the most recent is clinching the first-prize at the SuperAI Genesis Startup Competition 2025, where the company emerged victorious from over 700 global applicants. NYB was also named one of the five finalists at the prestigious Design AI and Tech Awards (DAITA) in Singapore earlier this year.
Together with its partners, NYB and the Vecura platform are demonstrating how the next generation of medicine can grow directly from the diversity of life. This initiative highlights the power of cross-industry collaboration and demonstrates how strategic cooperation between technology, biotechnology, and healthcare leaders can accelerate global advancements in drug discovery, healthtech, and AI-driven solutions.
Workforce Advancement Federation (WAF), the co-organiser of the AI4Life Summit, will spearhead workforce transformation to build the human capital foundation for Singapore’s rise as a global hub in AI-driven biotechnology.
Bright Prospects
The AI4Life Summit is a very timely initiative as the demand for drug discovery platforms is phenomenal as these platforms are transforming the pharmaceutical, wellness and beauty and natural products industry by speeding up the creation of new, effective medicines.
According to research studies, the global drug discovery platforms market size was valued at USD 186.24 million in 2024 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of more than 13% to hit around USD 635.45 million by 2034.2
“As the global drug discovery platforms market continues its upward trajectory, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to grow at the fastest rate during the next decade,” observed Mr Giang. “With our strategic location here in Asia, we are well-poised to capitalize on the myriad of opportunities in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Increasing government and commercial focus on delivering sustainable life-saving innovations to meet the demands of demographic changes in Asia will mean significant growth prospects for us.”
About AI4Life Summit 2025
AI4Life Summit, launched in 2025 is a national initiative spearheaded by Nanyang Biologics, representing a strategic milestone in the advancement of AI-driven drug discovery and healthcare innovation. Supported by an esteemed consortium of companies, including HPE, and Equinix, the summit aims to establish Singapore as a global hub for AI-powered life sciences and biotech innovation.
The summit will serve as a premier platform for leaders in technology, biotechnology, and healthcare to explore cutting-edge innovations and strategic collaborations, featuring a series of high-level keynote addresses and panel discussions on building the infrastructure necessary for advancing biotech and AI-driven healthcare solutions.
About Nanyang Biologics (NYB.AI)
Singapore-headquartered NYB.AI is a biotech company using AI and biological data to understand drug-target interactions in disease pathways. Through its AI platform and compound libraries, NYB.AI identifies promising therapeutic molecules and optimizes them for effectiveness. Using advanced machine learning techniques, NYB.AI accelerates the discovery of next-generation treatments for cancer and chronic diseases.
About Equinix
Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX) shortens the path to boundless connectivity anywhere in the world. Its digital infrastructure, data centre footprint and interconnected ecosystems empower innovations that enhance our work, life and planet. Equinix connects economies, countries, organizations and communities, delivering seamless digital experiences and cutting-edge AI — quickly, efficiently and everywhere.
About Workforce Advancement Federation Ltd (WAF)
WAF is a non-profit organization, is dedicated to strengthening Singapore’s workforce and business ecosystem. WAF provides enterprises with access to learning opportunities, government grants, and productivity solutions to enhance processes and reskill employees. Through strategic partnerships and networking platforms, WAF fosters sustainable growth and collaboration
Issued on behalf of AI4Life Summit by Stratagem Consultants Pte Ltd:
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Sources:
https://www.jtc.gov.sg/about-jtc/news-and-stories/feature-stories/singapore-biomedical-ecosystem#:~:text=The%20sector%20%E2%80%94%20encompassing%20biopharmaceuticals%20and,%2438%20billion%20for%20global%20markets
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/drug-discovery-platforms-market-size-140000051.html