SINGAPORE, 29 November 2022 – MiRXES Pte Ltd, a Singapore-headquartered RNA technology company focused on saving lives and improving health economics and outcomes through disease early detection tests, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Indonesia-based biotech company PT ELION MEDIKA INDONESIA (PT ELION) to bring RNA-powered cancer early detection blood test to Indonesia. The partnership will see the two companies validating and commercializing MiRXES’s existing microRNA (miRNA) cancer blood tests for stomach and lung cancers in Indonesia. Furthermore, the MOU establishes CADENCE-ID, a joint development project for the optimization and validation of a novel multi-cancer blood test, based on blood-borne circulating miRNA and DNA methylation biomarkers in the Indonesian population, for up to nine high incidence and high mortality cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal, liver, stomach (gastric), esophageal, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.

Witnessed by H.E. Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs of Indonesia, and H.E. Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health of Indonesia, this MOU demonstrates strong regional cooperation between leading Singapore and Indonesian technology companies to advance research, clinical translation and implementation of novel, genomic powered preventive healthcare solutions. It also highlights MiRXES’s commitment to making accurate and actionable cancer early detection solutions accessible to the underserved Southeast Asian population.

MiRXES has launched a similar study, Project CADENCE, in Singapore earlier this year. Based on Project CADENCE’s blueprint for development and implementation, CADENCE-ID is MiRXES’s first step in scaling the multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test development in the region. The project, championed by leading clinician-scientists from PT ELION and Indonesian research and healthcare institutions, and powered by MiRXES’s proprietary RNA centric multi-omics technologies, aims to address the escalating clinical, economic, and social burden of cancer in Indonesia through early detection.

Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country and sees more than 400,000 new cancer cases diagnosed every year, most of which are diagnosed at late stage. World Health Organization expects annual cancer cases in Indonesia to increase by more than 60 percent in the next two decades. To minimize the escalating burden of cancer socially and economically, it is critical to leverage COVID built-up of molecular testing capabilities to introduce new cancer early detection tests.

Dr. Lihan ZHOU, Co-founder and CEO for MiRXES, said, “Today marks yet another milestone for MiRXES in our quest to bring accessible and affordable cancer early detection solutions to the ASEAN region. The strategic partnership with PT ELION is timely and essential as we bring together leading Indonesian and Singaporean scientists, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to develop localized solutions to address the challenges of cancer in our region. PT ELION and MIRXES are grateful to the support of Coordinating Minister Luhut and Minister Budi, and are deeply encouraged by their vision for the Indonesian people.”

Under the MOU, MiRXES will contribute its proprietary Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) based multi-cancer early detection technologies, its decade long experience in developing, manufacturing, and commercialization of cancer early detection blood tests. PT ELION will contribute local research, manufacturing, clinical testing infrastructures and lead the engagement with Indonesian clinician-scientists, policy makers, and commercial channels. Besides joint R&D, talent development and manufacturing technology transfer are key agendas in the MOU.

Mr. Nathan TIRTANA, Commissioner of PT ELION, said, “Our strategic partnership with MiRXES is a meaningful step towards managing the escalating cancer burden in Indonesia through early detection. Pairing PT ELION’s extensive local infrastructure, network, and expertise in the Indonesian market with MiRXES’s cutting-edge technologies, we hope to develop high-quality and affordable multi-cancer early detection test and early intervention tailored to the Indonesian population, to solve the pressing challenges of cancer and benefit the local community.”