HoneyBear Biosciences, a Taiwan-based biotechnology company, has announced a strategic partnership with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), marking ASTAR’s first investment in Taiwan’s biotech sector. The collaboration includes licensing agreements that aim to accelerate the development of next-generation Antibody Radionuclide Conjugates (ARCs) for oncology treatment.
The partnership was formalized during a signing ceremony held at Singapore’s Biopolis. Two technology licenses were signed by HoneyBear Vice Chairwoman Sarina Lin, Chairman Edward Wang, and CEO Dr. Simon Chuang, alongside A*STAR’s Deputy Chief Executive, Prof. Yeo Yee Chia, and Senior Director of PharmBio Bioprocessing Industry Cluster, Ms. Neo Kah Yean. The agreements include:
- An exclusive license to utilize antibodies developed by A*STAR’s Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) for ARC development.
- A non-exclusive license to adopt multicistronic expression vector technology from A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) to improve antibody production efficiency.
This collaboration underscores both parties’ shared commitment to developing cutting-edge cancer therapies. HoneyBear’s proprietary CoNectar™ platform, when combined with A*STAR’s advanced antibody research and production capabilities, seeks to deliver precise, targeted radiation therapy that minimizes damage to healthy tissues while improving patient outcomes.
“We are proud to be ASTAR’s first Taiwanese biotech partner,” said Sarina Lin, Vice Chairwoman of HoneyBear Biosciences. “This investment affirms international recognition of our scientific innovation and paves the way for greater global collaboration.” CEO Dr. Simon Chuang added, “ASTAR’s antibody technologies are well-established and widely recognized in the scientific community. Through this partnership, we aim to co-develop impactful ARC therapies that address significant unmet medical needs in oncology.”
The partnership arrives on the heels of HoneyBear being named “Best ADC Developer in Taiwan” at the 2025 Asia Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards. As part of its expansion, the company also recently moved into a new integrated office and laboratory facility on March 25, 2025, to enhance cross-departmental collaboration and R&D productivity.
About HoneyBear Biosciences, Inc.
HoneyBear Biosciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company headquartered in Taiwan, focused on the development of next-generation Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) using its proprietary CoNectar™ platform. Founded in 2021, HoneyBear aims to revolutionize targeted cancer therapy through innovative antibody engineering and global partnerships.
