{"id":1983,"date":"2025-02-06T03:33:40","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T03:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webdesigninsg.com\/nif\/alumnus\/?p=1983"},"modified":"2025-12-10T16:22:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T08:22:56","slug":"changing-the-game-for-the-greater-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/2025\/02\/06\/changing-the-game-for-the-greater-good\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing the Game for the Greater Good"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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WHO HE IS: <\/em><\/strong>Mr Simranjit Singh is the CEO of Guardant Health AMEA and a leader in precision oncology. As the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Science Alumni Award, he is helping transform how cancers are diagnosed and treated. <\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mr Singh, pictured in his childhood years with his mother<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For Mr Simranjit Singh, the National University of Singapore (NUS) wasn\u2019t just a place to study; it was practically a second home. Long before he became an innovator in cancer detection, he was a little boy roaming the halls of the University, where his mother worked in administration. \u201cShe worked there for over 30 years,\u201d Mr Singh recalled. \u201cI\u2019d follow her to the campus on Saturdays, and she would leave me in the library while she worked. I\u2019d spend hours flipping through books far beyond my age. It was her way of keeping me safe, but it invariably became a space where I started to dream big.\u201d<\/p>

Mr Singh\u2019s mother never had the chance to attend university herself, having had to leave school to support her family after her own father\u2019s passing. \u201cShe always wanted to go to university but couldn\u2019t. So when it came to me, she was determined I\u2019d graduate from NUS. Her dream became mine,\u201d said the proud father of three.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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SAVING THE WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

Even as a young student, Mr Singh gravitated towards science, inspired by teachers who encouraged him to see it as a tool for solving real-world problems. \u201cI was lucky to have a biology teacher who made science exciting,\u201d he said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t just about memorising facts \u2014 it was about applying knowledge to make things better.\u201d<\/p>

This passion deepened at NUS, where he pursued biomedical sciences. \u201cI\u2019ve always been drawn to the practical side of science \u2014 finding ways to use it to make life better,\u201d Mr Singh explained.<\/p>

A pivotal moment came during his first year when Mr Philip Yeo, a pioneer civil servant and key architect of Singapore\u2019s Biopolis, spoke to Mr Singh\u2019s cohort about the future of biomedical science. \u201cHe talked about the need to not just do research but to commercialise it. That stuck with me,\u201d Mr Singh shared.<\/p>

This belief was further crystallised when he joined the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programme at the University of Pennsylvania. There, Mr Singh worked at a biotech start-up while taking business courses. \u201cIt was life-changing,\u201d he said. \u201cI learned how startups work, pitched to venture capitalists, and saw the potential to turn scientific ideas into solutions that could impact lives.\u201d<\/p>

Inspired by the experience, Mr Singh and a fellow NOC participant co-founded their first startup. Focused on developing diagnostic technology, their venture showed early promise, winning accolades from Startup Singapore and the Lee Kuan Yew Business Plan Competition. Yet, the realities of turning an idea into a market-ready product soon set in, and the startup eventually fizzled due to funding challenges and technical hurdles. \u201cMy dad wasn\u2019t too pleased about the money I borrowed from him to start the venture,\u201d Mr Singh recalled with a laugh. \u201cHe still reminds me of it.\u201d Despite the setback, this experience taught him invaluable lessons in resilience and the complexities of the biotech industry, ultimately shaping his approach to future ventures.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mr Singh. Photo courtesy of Corporate Communications, NUS Faculty of Science.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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REDEFINING DIAGNOSTICS<\/b><\/p>

Mr Singh\u2019s career took him through public service and consulting roles before he joined the clinical research industry. But a turning point came in late 2017, when a personal health scare shifted his perspective. \u201cI had a cancer scan, and the doctors found a growth in my throat. I had to go for a PET scan and then a biopsy. The growth needed to be removed, but the complications from the diagnostic process were worse than I expected,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI developed a blood clot in my throat, had to be rushed to the hospital, and it turned into a lot of trauma.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cWe are piecing it together like a jigsaw puzzle,\u201d explained Mr Singh. Using fragments of tumour DNA from blood samples, Guardant\u2019s machine learning algorithms analyse 3.2 billion permutations to identify the tumour\u2019s origin and the genetic mutations driving the cancer. This allows doctors to tailor treatments specifically to the patient\u2019s cancer profile. \u201cWe\u2019re like a GPS for cancer therapy,\u201d Mr Singh added, noting that biopsies done through blood tests eliminate the need for tissue biopsies, which can bring complications.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cWe are piecing it together like a jigsaw puzzle,\u201d explained Mr Singh. Using fragments of tumour DNA from blood samples, Guardant\u2019s machine learning algorithms analyse 3.2 billion permutations to identify the tumour\u2019s origin and the genetic mutations driving the cancer. This allows doctors to tailor treatments specifically to the patient\u2019s cancer profile. \u201cWe\u2019re like a GPS for cancer therapy,\u201d Mr Singh added, noting that biopsies done through blood tests eliminate the need for tissue biopsies, which can bring complications.<\/p>

FROM STARTUP TO GLOBAL PLAYER\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

Over the last few years, Mr Singh has been leading Guardant\u2019s growth into a transformative force in cancer care. Under his leadership, the company introduced its groundbreaking liquid biopsy technology across more than 40 countries, benefiting over 50,000 cancer patients in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.<\/p>

Guardant\u2019s innovations have set global benchmarks. The company became the first to receive approval from Singapore\u2019s Health Sciences Authority, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Japan\u2019s Ministry of Health for its comprehensive genomic profiling of solid tumours. \u201cWe\u2019ve changed the way cancer is detected, monitored and treated,\u201d Mr Singh said.<\/p>

Guardant\u2019s tests now cover the full spectrum of cancer care \u2014 from early detection to recurrence monitoring and guiding treatment decisions. Most recently, the company launched a blood test for early colorectal cancer detection, which could replace invasive colonoscopies or unpleasant faecal tests. \u201cEarly detection is the key to bending the mortality curve for cancer,\u201d Mr Singh said.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mr Singh with his wife and parents at the Faculty of Science 95th Anniversary Gala Dinner in November 2024. Mr Singh was honoured with the NUS Outstanding Science Alumni Award at the event. <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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COMING FULL CIRCLE<\/strong><\/p>

In 2024, Mr Singh received the NUS Outstanding Science Alumni Award, an honour that brought his journey full circle. But for him, the true highlight wasn\u2019t the award itself \u2014 it was what it meant for his parents, especially his mother. \u201cWhen they honoured me with the award, I got the chance to bring my parents,\u201d he said. \u201cThat was so special.\u201d<\/p>

For his mother, however, it was more than just a ceremony \u2014 it was a homecoming. \u201cA lot of the people there were her old friends,\u201d Mr Singh shared. \u201cShe knew so many of them. And I think she had the best time.\u201d More than that, it was the realisation of a lifelong dream. Having never been able to attend university herself, she had poured her hopes into her son\u2019s education. Watching him stand on stage, being recognised for his contributions to science, was a moment of immense pride and fulfilment.<\/p>

Beyond his work at Guardant, Mr Singh remains closely connected to NUS, mentoring students from the Faculty of Science and supporting startups from the NUS Overseas Colleges programme. \u201cI\u2019ve been fortunate to have mentors who shaped my career, and I want to pay it forward,\u201d he said. Reflecting on his journey, he added, \u201cScience isn\u2019t just about research. It\u2019s about finding ways to make a difference in people\u2019s lives. And that\u2019s what keeps me going every day.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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MAPPING HIS JOURNEY<\/strong><\/p>

2002: Seeds of Innovation<\/strong>
Through the NUS Overseas Colleges programme at UPenn, Mr Singh gains hands-on experience in a biotech startup, exploring diabetic and skin cancer models. This immersion in cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship sparks his passion for turning science into real-world solutions.<\/p>

2004: Graduation from NUS<\/strong>
Mr Singh earns his degree in biomedical sciences at NUS, fulfilling a personal milestone and his mother\u2019s long-held dream of seeing him graduate from the university she served for decades.<\/p>

2005: Public Service<\/strong>
At the National Environment Agency, Simranjit plays a pivotal role in managing Singapore\u2019s Innovative Environmental Sustainability fund, developing grant frameworks that support environmental technologies and sustainability efforts.<\/p>

2006-2009: Management Consulting in Healthcare<\/strong>
Mr Singh manages the healthcare division at Frost & Sullivan for Asia Pacific and provides strategic consulting for healthcare providers, medical device companies, biopharmas and Clinical Research Organisations (CROs) in the region<\/p>

2009-2017: IQVIA<\/strong>
Mr Singh establishes the global business unit for medtech and diagnostics at IQVIA and provided clinical research services, regulatory services, strategic consulting and market analytics to medical device and diagnostics companies.<\/p>

2017: Cancer Scare<\/strong>
A personal cancer scare alters the course of Mr Singh\u2019s career, leading him to focus on patient-friendly diagnostic solutions and the advancement of liquid biopsy technologies.<\/p>

2024: A Moment of Pride<\/strong>
Mr Singh is recognised for his transformative contributions to precision oncology with the NUS Outstanding Science Alumni Award, a celebration of his impact in healthcare and his enduring connection to NUS.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Medical technology trailblazer Mr Simranjit Singh (Science \u201804) has built a career around a common thread: using his knowledge and expertise to improve lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5599,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leadership","category-startups"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1983","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1983"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1983\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12885,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1983\/revisions\/12885"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}