Singapore, July 21, 2025 – CytoNiche Biotech, a global leader in 3D cell mass production technology, has officially launched its 3D FloTrix™ Experience Hub in Singapore. This landmark opening marks a pivotal step in the company's international expansion and showcases the core technology behind China’s first approved stem cell drug, priced at just 1/70th the cost of equivalent Western therapies.

Bridging the Gap in Stem Cell Therapy Affordability

The new Singapore hub debuts at a time when the high cost of mesenchymal stem cell therapies presents a barrier to access worldwide. While the first FDA-approved stem cell therapy in the U.S. costs $1.55 million per treatment, Amimestrocel Injection—approved in China earlier this year—is available for 158,400 RMB (~$21,600) per course. This dramatic reduction is made possible by CytoNiche’s 3D FloTrix™ platform, which revolutionizes traditional 2D culture with automated, scalable 3D cell production systems built on GMP-grade dissolvable microcarriers.

This proprietary technology has been validated through:

• Successful clinical trials and regulatory approval in China
• Commercial-scale production of the world’s first 3D-manufactured stem cell therapy
• Significant reduction in manufacturing cost via closed, automated systems

Singapore: A Strategic Hub for Global Biotech Innovation

The Singapore 3D FloTrix™ Experience Hub will function as a global headquarters, technology demonstration center, and regional training site for international partners. It aims to accelerate the adoption of cost-effective stem cell manufacturing and support regulatory and clinical translation across Asia and beyond.

“We chose Singapore as our global launchpad because of its world-class biotech ecosystem, transparent regulatory environment, and pivotal position in Asia,” said Dr. Yan Xiaojun, CTO, Co-Founder of CytoNiche, and Director of 3D FloTrix™ Experience Hub. “This hub empowers our mission: to bring affordable, accessible cell therapy to patients worldwide through advanced 3D culture systems and scalable regenerative medicine manufacturing solutions.”

From Lab Bench to Global Impact

During the opening ceremony, Dr. Yan reflected on the company’s journey from a research-driven startup in 2018 to the driving force behind China’s first stem cell drug approval.

“Our 3D FloTrix™ platform now serves over a hundred global clients. But this is more than a technology—it’s a promise of health equity,” she stated. “With this hub, we’re taking that promise global.”

Professor Hanry Yu, founder of Ant Innovation and professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), who had witnessed the growth of CytoNiche, shared his pride in the technology’s homecoming.

“CytoNiche’s path—from research to commercialization in China, and now back to Singapore for global expansion—is a model of international scientific collaboration,” said Prof. Yu.

Scientific Legacy and Entrepreneurial Vision

Professor Du Yanan, Chief Scientist of CytoNiche and a professor at Tsinghua University, delivered a heartfelt message tracing the company’s origins to his academic training in Singapore.

“Two decades ago, I was a PhD candidate at NUS under the guidance of Professors Hanry Yu and Teoh Swee Hin. Today, we return with a solution poised to transform global cell and gene therapy manufacturing,” said Prof. Du. “This is the intersection of rigorous science and real-world impact.”

In a stirring keynote, Professor Teoh Swee Hin—Fellow of the Singapore Academy of Engineering and Medicine and Director of the Hunan University Center for Advanced Medical Engineering—urged the company to retain its original spirit of innovation.

“CytoNiche's mission statement isn't corporate rhetoric – it's a moral imperative. As they scale globally, they must retain the three pillars that brought them here: the creativity to reimagine cell therapy, the courage to challenge conventions, and the entrepreneurial grit to turn lab breakthroughs into hospital solutions,” said Prof. Teoh.

Ceremony, Partnerships, and Expansion

At 1:18 PM—a symbolic time in Chinese culture—CytoNiche’s three founders, Prof. Du Yanan, Dr. Liu Wei, and Dr. Yan Xiaojun, cut the ribbon to launch the facility. A traditional “Ong Lai” pineapple toss followed, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.

 

In a major business development, CytoNiche signed four strategic partnership agreements with companies from South Korea, Thailand, India and Malaysia.

These collaborations aim to accelerate the deployment of 3D FloTrix™ technology and distribution of 3D dissolvable microcarriers, serum-free media, and automated cell production systems across Asia-Pacific.

The Road Ahead: Making Regenerative Medicine More Accessible

Looking forward, CytoNiche plans to further expand its international client base and continue lowering barriers to cell-based therapies through automated biomanufacturing platforms and single-use consumables.

“Today isn’t just about opening a building,” concluded Prof. Du. “It’s about taking the first step toward making regenerative medicine more accessible on a global scale.”

About CytoNiche Biotech

Founded in 2018, CytoNiche Biotech is a pioneering provider of 3D cell mass production systems for therapeutic applications. Its flagship 3D FloTrix™ platform enables large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of cell and gene therapies. The platform features GMP-compliant dissolvable microcarriers, serum-free media for mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, and a complete suite of automated bioreactors and processing systems and single-use, closed-loop consumables. CytoNiche supports every stage of the cell therapy pipeline—from cell expansion to harvesting, processing, and final fill.

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