StemiGen Therapeutics gifts S$1.2 million to support research in osteoarthritis

(L-R, foreground) The S$1.2 million gift to NTU was formalised at a signing ceremony between Dr James Hsieh, CEO, StemiGen Therapeutics and Ms Lien Siaou-Sze, NTU Vice President, University Advancement, witnessed by (L-R, background) Mr Steven Lim, Chairman, StemiGen Therapeutics, Guest-of-Honour, Prof Benjamin Seet, Deputy Group CEO (Education & Research) of the National Healthcare Group and Prof Joseph Sung, LKCMedicine's Dean and NTU Senior Vice President (Health and Life Sciences). Photo Credit: StemiGen Therapeutics 

Scientists at NTU Singapore are aiming to develop novel treatments to tackle a common ageing-related joint condition called osteoarthritis, supported by a S$1.2 million gift from StemiGen Therapeutics, a Singapore biotechnology company.

Osteoarthritis, a condition characterised by chronic knee, back and joint pains, is a highly prevalent disease in society, and commonly related to ageing.

The disease is caused by the degradation of articular cartilage - white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form joints. This degradation causes excessive bone growth, joint swelling, and inflammation, leading to acute pain and the gradual loss of mobility.

In Singapore, musculoskeletal disorders including osteoarthritis is among the leading cause of disability, ill-health, or early death.

Supported by the new S$1.2 million StemiGen – Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) Regenerative Medicine Research Fund, NTU is taking the lead to close the gap in osteoarthritis research, and to develop effective treatments that can benefit this growing group of patients, amid an ageing population in Singapore.