Nanyang Biologics has formed an exclusive partnership with Equinix and HPE to launch Vecura, a pioneering AI-powered drug discovery platform, while building the world’s largest natural drug compound library in Singapore. The initiative cements Singapore’s ambition to become a global leader in AI-driven healthcare, life sciences and biomedical research.
Singapore has taken a bold step forward in its ambition to lead the world in AI-powered biomedical innovation. Homegrown BioTech firm, Nanyang Biologics Pte Ltd (NYB), an award-winning spin-off from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), has announced a landmark collaboration with Equinix and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).
Together, the partners are launching Vecura, a proprietary AI-as-a-Service drug discovery platform, while building the world’s largest natural drug compound library within Singapore over the next year.
The announcement was sealed with the signing of an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the inaugural AI4Life Summit, hosted at the Fullerton Hotel Singapore. The summit, organised by NYB, is designed to become an annual platform for accelerating AI-driven breakthroughs in drug discovery and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
National significance
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, has lauded the initiative as a vital step toward positioning Singapore as a hub for life sciences, healthcare and biomedical innovation in Asia.
Her comments echoed Singapore’s broader economic strategy. In 2023, the nation’s biopharmaceutical and medical technology sector accounted for 2.6% of GDP and generated nearly US$38 billion in product value, according to JTC.
Singapore’s strong infrastructure, regulatory ecosystem and strategic location already make it a preferred base for biomedical firms – and this new partnership strengthens its global positioning.
From nature to AI
NYB’s vision is ambitious yet deeply rooted in science. The company has been building on the pioneering research of the NYB–NTU Joint Laboratory, which since 2019 has studied tropical medicinal plants to unlock their hidden chemistry.
Dr Roland Ong, Chairman of NYB, framed the collaboration’s purpose succinctly: “We are working together to transform nature’s pharmacy into tomorrow’s solutions for health and wellbeing. NYB’s mission is to turn hidden chemistry into therapies and wellness solutions. By pairing one of the world’s most diverse living libraries – with over 50,000 unique organisms and compounds – with Vecura, our proprietary AI platform, we can uncover what was once invisible. This positions Singapore as a hub where biodiversity meets Artificial Intelligence, turning natural compounds into healthcare breakthroughs.”
The natural drug compound library is central to NYB’s vision. Once completed, it will be the largest of its kind, accelerating global research into therapies derived from natural sources.
A first-of-its-kind collaboration
The MOU is the first joint effort of its kind in Singapore and Asia, uniting a homegrown BioTech innovator with two global technology leaders.
- NYB will spearhead platform development, optimising AI models for next-generation GPU architectures and integrating them into global ecosystems
- HPE will deliver advanced computing and AI infrastructure to power large-scale molecular screening
- Equinix will anchor the platform within sovereign digital infrastructure, ensuring secure, scalable and globally accessible operations
Giang Nguyen, Group Chief Technology Officer, NYB, outlined the scale of the task: “Our living library is continuously expanding, creating a growing database of therapeutic potential. To scale this, we are working with Equinix and HPE, who provide enterprise-grade infrastructure to power Vecura. Their support allows us to reduce R&D costs and timelines while enabling breakthroughs in oncology, neuroscience, metabolic health and more.”
The partners speak
The significance of this collaboration was underscored by comments from both partners.
Yee May Leong, Managing Director, Equinix Singapore, said: “We are at the forefront of a transformative era in healthcare and life sciences. 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 personalised for all.”
Khai Peng Loh, Managing Director of Southeast Asia, HPE, said: “The convergence of AI and biotechnology holds transformative potential for global healthcare. Our collaboration with NYB and Equinix marks a pivotal moment in accelerating drug discovery. By powering Vecura with HPE’s AI infrastructure, researchers can screen millions of natural compounds with unprecedented speed and precision.”
Why Vecura matters
The Vecura platform promises to revolutionise drug discovery by combining biodiversity with scalable AI.
Unlike traditional methods, Vecura identifies therapeutic candidates with 27% higher predictive accuracy and 64x greater screening efficiency. Its architecture allows it to scale rapidly, cut R&D costs by more than 50% and adapt to growing libraries and complex pipelines.
The infrastructure behind Vecura also brings global benefits:
- GPU-powered engines for large-scale molecular screening
- Global connectivity for seamless collaboration with researchers worldwide
- Access to Equinix-hosted healthcare and life sciences ecosystems
- Energy-efficient, secure systems designed for sustainability and data protection
From competition stage to global stage
NYB is no stranger to recognition. The company recently won first prize at the SuperAI Genesis Startup Competition 2025, triumphing over more than 700 global applicants. Earlier this year, it was also named a finalist at the prestigious Design AI and Tech Awards (DAITA) in Singapore.
Such accolades highlight NYB’s growing reputation as a force in the AI-biotech space. The Vecura project only amplifies this trajectory.
Building human capital
The Workforce Advancement Federation (WAF), co-organiser of the AI4Life Summit, will lead workforce transformation initiatives to ensure Singapore develops the human capital needed for leadership in AI-driven biotechnology. This focus on talent development complements the technological infrastructure being built – creating a holistic ecosystem.
A global market with local advantages
The timing is ideal. According to market research, the global drug discovery platforms market was valued at US$186.24 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 13%, reaching US$635.45 million by 2034.
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow fastest, making Singapore’s location a strategic advantage.
Giang summed up the opportunity: “With our base in Asia, we are well-poised to capitalise on opportunities in life sciences and healthcare. Government and commercial focus on sustainable innovations will drive significant growth. The convergence of biodiversity and AI gives Singapore the chance to lead a new era of drug discovery.”
Toward a new era of medicine
NYB envisions a future where nature’s diversity fuels the next generation of medicine.
“Since the dawn of time, humanity has looked to nature as the bedrock of knowledge and healing,” said Giang. “By mapping natural compounds and their effects on the human body with AI, we can improve health, resilience and longevity. Together with our partners, we are transforming biodiversity into discoveries that will enrich lives everywhere.”
The collaboration between NYB, Equinix and HPE is pitched as demonstrating the power of cross-industry partnerships in shaping healthcare’s future.
By uniting cutting-edge infrastructure with biological research, Singapore is said to be not just participating in the global race for AI-driven drug discovery but aiming to lead it.
