The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. have unveiled the Santen-SERI Open Innovation Centre (SONIC) 2.0, a collaboration focused on advancing therapies for major eye diseases. This initiative, valued at S$21m, seeks to accelerate the development of first-in-class, disease-modifying treatments for conditions such as glaucoma, presbyopia, and myopia.
Building on a strategic partnership that began in 2014, SONIC 2.0 follows the success of SONIC 1.0, a S$37m programme that ran from 2017 to 2023. The new collaboration combines Santen’s pharmaceutical expertise with SERI’s clinical research capabilities, aiming to deliver innovative treatments that address significant unmet clinical needs.
The partnership is set to strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading regional centre for ophthalmic innovation. “Together, we established a strong foundation for translational ophthalmic research by combining scientific excellence, clinical expertise, and industry innovation,” said Tin Aung, CEO of the Singapore National Eye Centre.
SONIC 2.0 will focus on four strategic research themes: discovering novel therapeutic concepts for glaucoma, establishing advanced pre-clinical models for presbyopia, improving myopia treatments, and investigating anti-scarring agents for multi-disease applications. The programme is expected to run from December 2025 to November 2028, with joint investment from both Santen and SERI.
This collaboration not only aims to deliver commercial-ready innovations but also seeks to enhance Singapore’s biomedical R&D leadership, ultimately benefiting patients with earlier access to innovative treatments and improved outcomes.
