The conference, themed “Ageing Well in the Community: Exploring New Horizons,” convened over 170 experts from 15 countries spanning Asia, Europe, and North America. This diverse assembly included researchers, healthcare policymakers, clinicians, and leaders from community organizations, all united by the urgency to realign societal structures to better support older adults. Central to the discussions was the imperative to shift from conventional, prescriptive models of elderly care to those that emphasize autonomy, social connectivity, and psychological well-being.

A pivotal insight emerging from the conference underscored the inadequacy of ageing policies that demand conformity from older adults to rigid institutional frameworks. Instead, effective interventions are those intricately tailored to the lived experiences, daily routines, and social realities of older persons. Such person-centered approaches not only enhance engagement and satisfaction but demonstrate tangible benefits in reducing loneliness and social isolation, both of which are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of health in later life.

Innovative research led by Duke-NUS, spanning from 2023 to 2025, closely examined the Active Ageing Centre (AAC) service model implemented nationwide. This model promotes the co-creation of programs wherein older adults assume leadership and participatory roles, rather than being passive recipients. The empirical findings revealed that empowering elders to influence program design nurtures stronger communal bonds and enhances the sustainability of social networks. These data carry profound implications for recalibrating community-based interventions that aspire to optimize cognitive health and emotional resilience.

In Singapore’s push to address the adverse health impacts of social isolation, there has been a strategic expansion of AACs and neighborhood-centric initiatives designed to promote active social engagement. The evidence presented at the conference elucidated that these centers achieve maximal efficacy when they transcend physical infrastructure to embrace flexible formats supporting autonomy and continuous interaction. For example, extending operational hours beyond staffed times allows older adults unfettered access to communal spaces, thus fostering spontaneous and varied social encounters.

Several exemplar programs showcased how translational application of research findings can concretely enhance elder engagement. NTUC Health’s “Designing Together” initiative synergizes efforts between senior citizens and youth to collaboratively address active ageing challenges. This intergenerational partnership cultivates deeper societal integration and mutual respect, which are pivotal in countering age-related stigma and promoting shared community ownership of ageing solutions. Similarly, the refreshed AAC at Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities demonstrates how facilitative staff roles that promote elder-led programming engender meaningful and enduring connections.

Associate Professor Rahul Malhotra, Executive Director of CARE, articulated a compelling vision for ageing policy: “Supporting older persons to age well within their homes and communities demands a fundamental redesign of active ageing spaces to align with daily practices, aspirations, and social networks. Beyond mere lifespan extension, we require models fostering psychological well-being, social inclusion, and purposeful engagement, thereby empowering older adults to age with both dignity and meaningfulness.”

The conference’s opening ceremony notably featured a poignant performance by dancers living with dementia alongside their care partners, curated by the social enterprise Dementia & Co. This artistic presentation vividly highlighted the transformative role that creative expression and inclusive community participation can play in enhancing quality of life for individuals living with cognitive impairment, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of ageing well.

Marking its 10th anniversary during the conference, the Centre for Ageing Research & Education at Duke-NUS continues to champion interdisciplinary approaches that bridge medical, social, and policy domains. Its collaborative network spanning governmental agencies and community groups exemplifies a translational research paradigm that directly informs practical solutions to societal ageing challenges.

Professor Patrick Tan, Dean of Duke-NUS Medical School, reinforced the vital interface between research and policy: “Singapore’s commitment to initiatives like Age Well SG necessitates robust empirical frameworks that illuminate how neighborhoods, services, and social ecosystems can be optimized for ageing populations. This conference is testament to Duke-NUS’ pivotal role in converging evidence and policymaking to foster impactful community outcomes.”

As an international exemplar grappling proactively with demographic shifts, Singapore offers a dynamic model wherein rigorous scientific inquiry drives the reimagining of ageing—not as a challenge to be mitigated but as a societal phase to be celebrated and supported. The Singapore Conference on Ageing and Health 2026 thus not only delineated a roadmap for local transformation but also contributed critical insights to the global discourse on sustainable, person-centered ageing strategies.

Subject of Research:
Ageing populations, community-based active ageing models, social isolation among older adults, ageing policy design

Article Title:
Redesigning Ageing: Singapore’s Evidence-Driven Blueprint for Ageing Well in the Community

News Publication Date:
February 2026

Web References:

• Duke-NUS Medical School Centre for Ageing Research & Education: https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/directory/detail/rahul-malhotra?_gl=1*fvm5v7*_gcl_au*MTcyMjIxMTA4Ny4xNzY2NDcxNjgz
• Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities AAC Media Release: https://www.thkmc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Media-Release-Launch-of-Refreshed-THK-AAC-Bedok-and-Bedok-Sanctuary-Final.pdf

References:

1. National Population and Talent Division, Population in Brief 2025 report
2. The Straits Times, “Seniors learn to solve active ageing challenges alongside youth in new NTUC Health programme”, 1 March 2025
3. Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities Launches Refreshed AAC, 20 September 2024

Image Credits:
Duke-NUS Medical School

Keywords:
Aging populations, Older adults, Biomedical policy, Geriatrics, Human health

Fibrosis represents an escalating global health challenge, with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) affecting roughly one in 10,000 individuals in the Asia-Pacific region and chronic kidney disease projected to burden one in every four Singapore residents by 2035. The pathological hallmark involves the progressive deposition of extracellular matrix components, culminating in irreversible tissue remodeling and organ failure. Professor Petretto’s research specifically hones in on the WWP2 gene, previously identified as a pivotal regulator of fibrotic cascades across multiple organs including the lungs, heart, and kidneys. The inhibition of WWP2 demonstrates a remarkable protective effect on tissue architecture, offering a promising therapeutic target previously unexploited by conventional drug discovery methodologies.

At the core of this ambitious project is the Systems Genetics platform—a state-of-the-art integrative framework synergizing computational biology, genomic datasets, and increasingly sophisticated AI algorithms capable of executing high-throughput in silico screening. This computational prowess enables the interrogation of over 15 billion molecular entities, vastly outstripping the capabilities of traditional biochemical screening and allowing for the efficient and precise identification of candidate compounds with optimal binding characteristics and inhibitory potential against fibrosis-driving gene products. Notably, the platform’s evolution now includes exploratory integration with quantum computing technologies, which offer unparalleled advantages in processing complex molecular interactions at scales and speeds unattainable by classical computation.

This multifaceted approach is bolstered by a strategic partnership with 65LAB—a consortium of global investors and life science leaders including ClavystBio, Leaps by Bayer, Lightstone Ventures, Polaris Partners, and Evotec. Established to bridge the gap between early-stage academic innovation and commercial biotech ventures in Singapore, 65LAB provides not only funding but also venture-building expertise through its Expert-in-Residence program. This targeted support ensures that promising discoveries, such as Professor Petretto’s drug discovery pipeline, can transition smoothly from conceptual validation to therapeutic reality while fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem that nurtures biotechnology startups dedicated to addressing pressing global health needs.

Complementing the substantial 65LAB award is an additional US$390,000 investment from Duke-NUS’ LIVE Ventures incubator, which specializes in shepherding early-stage innovations towards commercialization. The dual infusion of financial and strategic resources reflects a well-orchestrated ecosystem designed to overcome traditional bottlenecks in drug development—from target validation through to preclinical testing and eventual clinical trials. This collaboration underscores Singapore’s ambition to become a hub for high-impact biomedical innovation, supporting academic discoveries with the infrastructure and expertise necessary to navigate complex regulatory and market landscapes.

The scientific rationale behind targeting WWP2 and related pathways emerges from rigorous preclinical studies demonstrating at least a 50 percent reduction in fibrotic tissue scarring following treatment with the novel small-molecule inhibitors identified through the Systems Genetics platform. These results highlight the promise of a mechanistically targeted approach that interrupts the pathological signaling cascades driving fibrosis rather than merely alleviating symptoms. By focusing on gene activity modulation, the therapeutic candidates aim to effectively halt or reverse the progression of tissue scarring, thereby preserving organ function and dramatically enhancing patient outcomes.

A key driver of this initiative’s success has been the leadership of interdisciplinary research efforts combining computational biology, genetic analysis, and pharmacology. Dr. Chen Huimei, co-Principal Investigator and Principal Research Scientist, emphasizes how the integration of AI algorithms enables the team to widen the pool of potential drug candidates and refine the precision of their target screening pipelines. This computational synergy accelerates discovery cycles and enhances the likelihood of identifying molecules with intrinsic drug-like properties and reduced off-target effects, ultimately streamlining the translational trajectory from bench to bedside.

Looking ahead, the project envisions extensive collaboration with industry partners and clinical researchers to rigorously test and develop these innovative inhibitors into clinically viable drugs. The translation pathway will involve robust pharmacokinetics, safety profiling, and efficacy studies across relevant animal models of organ-specific fibrosis before entering human clinical trials. Duke-NUS’ Centre for Technology and Development will play a vital role in safeguarding intellectual property through strategic patent filings, safeguarding the commercial viability of novel molecular entities identified through this breakthrough platform.

The 65LAB award not only validates the groundbreaking nature of Professor Petretto’s Systems Genetics pipeline but also exemplifies the powerful impact of synergistic ecosystems that combine the strengths of academic ingenuity, AI-driven methodologies, and investment acumen. Experts such as 65LAB Joint Steering Committee Chair Dr. Pei-Sze Ng assert that this initiative embodies a blueprint for scientists and investors to collaboratively accelerate groundbreaking drug discovery while fueling Singapore’s aspirations as a global biotech innovation hub. Similarly, Duke-NUS Vice-Dean for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Associate Professor Christopher Laing, underscores how the project’s AI-driven target discovery approach promises to generate a pipeline of investible opportunities well beyond fibrosis.

The success of this award follows a precedent set by earlier recipients such as Associate Professor Lena Ho, who also received 65LAB support for her pioneering work in microprotein therapeutics targeting chronic inflammation. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the rising momentum of Singapore’s biomedical research landscape in addressing urgent clinical needs through innovative science and strategic partnerships. They also signal a shift towards data-intensive, AI-enhanced platforms that capitalize on computational advances to expedite drug discovery timelines that have traditionally spanned decades.

Ultimately, this groundbreaking endeavor stands as a beacon of hope for millions suffering from fibrotic diseases worldwide, opening avenues toward therapies that could mitigate irreversible organ damage and transform long-term clinical outcomes. It epitomizes the convergence of multidisciplinary expertise, technological innovation, and visionary investment, setting the stage for a new era of targeted, efficient, and scalable drug discovery and development within Singapore’s vibrant biomedical ecosystem and beyond.

Subject of Research: Antifibrotic drug discovery targeting lung and kidney fibrosis using systems genetics, AI, and quantum computing.

Article Title: Breakthrough Antifibrotic Therapies Emerge from AI-Driven Systems Genetics Platform at Duke-NUS

News Publication Date: 13 August 2025

Web References:

• Duke-NUS LIVE Ventures: https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/innovation/teams/live-ventures
• Duke-NUS Centre for Technology and Development: https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/cted
• 65LAB official site: https://65lab.sg/
• Professor Enrico Petretto’s profile: https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/directory/detail/petretto-enrico-giuseppe

References:
Maher TM, Bendstrup E, Dron L, Langley J, Smith G, Khalid JM, Patel H, Kreuter M. Global incidence and prevalence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respiratory Research. 2021 Dec;22:1-0.

Image Credits: Chen Huimei, Duke-NUS Medical School

Keywords: Clinical medicine, Clinical studies, Antifibrotic therapies, Lung fibrosis, Kidney fibrosis, Systems genetics, Artificial intelligence, Quantum computing, Drug discovery, Duke-NUS, 65LAB, Biotechnology venture creation