A*STAR

What A*STAR does

A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, operating as a government statutory board under the Prime Minister's Office. It is the institutional anchor of Singapore's Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE2030) framework, executing mission-oriented research that advances scientific discovery and translates it into economic and societal outcomes. The agency operates twin research campuses — Biopolis for biomedical sciences and Fusionopolis for physical sciences and engineering — and functions as a bridge between academia and industry for multinational corporations, local enterprises, R&D-driven startups, and public sector agencies.

A*STAR's technology footprint spans more than 16 research institutes (e.g., Genome Institute of Singapore, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Microelectronics, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology) and 14+ national centres and programmes (NSTIC, EDDC, NSCC, NATi, MedTech Catapult, CFAR, NQO, NRP, NAMIC). Capabilities cover biomedical sciences (immunology, genomics, molecular and cell biology, bioprocessing, nucleic acid therapeutics), physical sciences and engineering (semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, materials, metrology, quantum), and AI/computing (frontier AI research, manufacturing AI, online safety). Infrastructure includes the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC), the Biomedical Datahub, and the National Precision Medicine programme mapping 100,000 Singaporeans.

Commercially, A*STAR is funded primarily through government appropriations and generates supplementary income through industry co-development partnerships, joint labs with corporate partners (Rolls-Royce/SAESL, Singapore Airlines, Halliburton, GlobalFoundries, Siemens, Standard Chartered), technology licensing, SME-focused capability upgrading programmes (T-Up, GET-Up), venture building, and alumni-network engagement. GTM is enterprise field-sales oriented, with partnerships negotiated directly. Leadership transitioned in November 2024 to Mr Beh Kian Teik as CEO, succeeding Mr Frederick Chew. Recent strategic moves include the 2024 launch of NSTIC, a $500 million biomedical infrastructure refresh, the opening of Asia's first non-GMP mRNA BioFoundry with Wellcome Leap, and NSTIC (GaN) in 2025.

Name

A*STAR

Legal name

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Website

https://a-star.edu.sg

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

A*STAR is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, operating Biopolis and Fusionopolis research campuses housing 16+ institutes and 14+ national centres. It conducts biomedical, physical sciences, and engineering research; partners with MNCs via joint labs; and delivers industry partnerships, licensing, and venture building for Singapore's economic priorities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Research and Development Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Public R&D services
• Biomedical research
• Advanced manufacturing
• Technology licensing
• Innovation partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: A*STAR operates as Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, funded primarily through government appropriations to drive mission-oriented research that advances scientific discovery and technological innovation
2. Industry Partnerships and Licensing: Revenue generated through collaborative R&D partnerships with industry, technology licensing, and commercialization of intellectual property
3. Venture Building and Start-up Support: Creating and nurturing R&D-driven start-ups through venture building programmes, with returns on successful ventures reinvested into the ecosystem

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

A*STAR is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, operating more than a dozen research institutes and national centres spanning biomedical sciences and physical sciences/engineering. It conducts mission-oriented research and translates it into commercial outcomes through industry co-development partnerships, joint labs with corporate partners, IP licensing, venture building, and SME capability-upgrade programmes.

Product overview

A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency operating a portfolio of research institutes, national centres, and programmes. The organisation spans biomedical sciences and physical sciences/engineering, organised under the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) and Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC). The research institutes (BII, BTI, GIS, IDL, IHDP, IMCB, SIgN, SIFBI, SRL, ARTC, IAIC, IME, IMRE, ISCE2, NMC, SIMTech, A*CRC) and national centres (AIMfg, CATOS, CFAR, EDDC, LCT3, MedTech Catapult, NSTIC, NSCC, NATi, TCOMS, NAMIC, NQO, NRP, Singapore Biodesign) provide research capabilities across healthcare, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, AI, and quantum technologies. Innovation & Enterprise offerings include T-Up, GET-Up, venture building, and licensing programmes. The A*STAR Graduate Academy provides talent development through scholarships and research attachments. S-SEAF fosters regional research collaboration. The ecosystem connects academia and industry to translate research into economic growth and societal impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) Research institute conducting molecular and cell biology, stem cell research, and cancer biology for academic and industry collaborators.
• A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) Research institute focused on genomics, genome mapping, and precision medicine research for healthcare and biomedical partners.
• A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (IDL) Research institute conducting infectious disease research, pandemic preparedness, and vaccine development for public health and industry partners.
• A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME) Research institute focused on microelectronics, semiconductor R&D, and integrated circuit development for semiconductor and electronics companies.
• A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) Research institute focused on materials science, nanomaterials, and advanced materials development for industrial and academic collaborators.
• A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) Research institute focused on manufacturing technology, precision engineering, and production systems for manufacturers.
• A*STAR Bioinformatics Institute (BII) Research institute applying bioinformatics, computational biology, and data science approaches to biological research.
• National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre (NSTIC) National centre for semiconductor translation and innovation supporting Singapore's semiconductor value chain through research and industry partnerships.
• Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi) Initiative focused on nucleic acid therapeutics including mRNA, siRNA, and gene editing technologies.
• T-Up (Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading) Programme enabling Singapore companies to embed A*STAR scientific talent in-house for development of technical capabilities and new products and services.
• GET-Up (Growing Enterprises through Technology Upgrade) Programme helping local enterprises strategise, adopt technologies, and upgrade in-house capabilities.
• A*STAR Graduate Academy Graduate academy offering scholarships, research attachments, and talent development programmes for students and researchers.
• Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC) National centre focused on experimental drug development, preclinical and clinical drug development for pharmaceutical partners.
• National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) Singapore National supercomputing centre providing high-performance computing resources for research users across Singapore.
• A*StartCentral (A*SC) Central platform connecting researchers with industry partners and supporting innovation and enterprise activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,800 talents nurtured since 2001 through scholarships, many now leading innovation in research, translation, and enterprise
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and flagship.

• CuspaicoreTechnology or Integration · 20 July 2026Five-year partnership to accelerate AI-driven materials discovery in Singapore
• Commonwealth Fusion SystemsstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026Collaborative research agreement to advance fusion supply chain capabilities in Singapore
• Standard CharteredcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Three-year partnership to advance AI-led innovation for financial services
• Lucence, DxD Hub, NCCScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2026S$6M research collaboration to advance cancer diagnostics through AI and patient-centric research
• Singapore Airlines (SIA) & SIAECflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Two joint labs to advance aircraft cabin component manufacturing and AI for enhanced airline operations
• HalliburtoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Launched NEX Lab to advance well completion innovation in Singapore
• GlobalFoundriesflagshipTechnology or Integration · 17 November 2025Collaboration on silicon photonics research for AI era, reinforcing Singapore's role in semiconductor value chain
• Rolls-Royce and SAESLflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2025Deepened strategic partnership for aerospace manufacturing and MRO technologies, with joint lab producing high-performance fan blades for widebody aircraft worldwide
• Local SMEs (Joint Labs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2025Joint investment of over S$21 million in advanced manufacturing joint labs to support Singapore's advanced manufacturing sector
• SiemenscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2025Collaboration to advance smart and sustainable manufacturing solutions
• MojiaBiostrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2025Collaboration to develop next-gen sustainable biomanufacturing platform in Singapore
• Sanofi and National Skin CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2024Partnership to advance research in acne treatment
• Wellcome LeapflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2024Launched Asia's first non-GMP mRNA BioFoundry to accelerate next-generation vaccines and therapeutics development, part of a broader ecosystem for translating science into enterprise
• Engine BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiotech partnership for translating science into enterprise in collaboration with A*STAR researchers
• Chugai Pharmabody ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharma partnership progressing therapies from discovery into global clinical trials
• Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) EntitiescoreOthersPublic sector biomedical research institutes including Genome Institute of Singapore, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Infectious Diseases Labs, and others located at Biopolis
• Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) EntitiescoreOthersPublic sector physical sciences and engineering institutes including Institute of Microelectronics, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, and others at Fusionopolis
• National Research Foundation (NRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) initiatives and national research priorities
• Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner for industry development and economic growth through R&D
• Enterprise SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing additional resources for SMEs including innovation talent support
• Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF) PartnersstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by A*STAR in collaboration with PREPARE, strengthening research networks between Singapore and Southeast Asia through talent mobility and collaborative research

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO): Australia's national science agency and lead public-sector R&D body. Comparable in mission, government funding model, and multi-domain research portfolio spanning biomedical, physical, and digital sciences.
• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest applied research organization with 75+ institutes bridging academic research and industrial application. Most directly comparable to A*STAR given its joint-lab model, industry co-development focus, and translation mandate across multiple technology domains.
• RIKEN: Japan's largest comprehensive research institution spanning physical, chemical, biological, and engineering sciences. Comparable in multi-domain research breadth and government-mandated role in national scientific priorities.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization with joint programmes across industry and government. Comparable in operating model: government-funded, applied-research focus, joint labs with industry, and translation mandate.
• Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI): Taiwan's applied research organization with strong semiconductor and electronics focus. Comparable in its mission to translate research into industrial applications, particularly in microelectronics and advanced manufacturing.
• National Research Council Canada (NRC): Canada's primary national R&D organization operating research centres across multiple technology domains. Comparable in its government-mandated role supporting national innovation priorities and industry collaboration.
• Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency funding business-led R&D and supporting technology translation. Comparable in its mandate to drive economic growth through research commercialization, though operates primarily through grantmaking rather than direct research execution.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's national research centre with deep expertise in biotechnology, digitalization, and advanced manufacturing. Comparable in scale, government ownership, and applied-research translation role within a small advanced economy.

Broad incumbents

• Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS): World's largest research organization spanning virtually every scientific discipline. Comparable as a government-mandated R&D performer with multi-institute structure, but operates at substantially greater scale and breadth than A*STAR.
• Spanish National Research Council (CSIC): Spain's largest public research institution with multi-disciplinary mandate. Comparable in multi-institute structure and government ownership, though primarily academic rather than industrially translational.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ASTARsg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ASTARSG
• Facebookfacebook.com/ASTARSG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/astarsg
• Instagraminstagram.com/astarsg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries43 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about A*STAR