To be the leading cGMP CRDMO globally in adherent bioprocessing/ continuous processing using flow chemistry utilizing our own in house proprietary/patented platforms and accelerate the discovery to delivery process of vaccines (human, animal, cancer), oncolytic viruses, cell/gene therapy, tissue engineering, mabs/recombinant proteins, diagnostics, small molecules, cosmeceuticals, peptides, biopolymers, bioscaffolds, and cosmetics/fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
Transforming Innovation in the Bioeconomy to Advance One World, One Planetary Health
We are dedicated to working with the venture ecosystem to launch, build, and accelerate early-stage companies emerging from leading academic labs, academic medical centres, hospitals, and research institutions focused on cells and their derivatives. We collaborate with fellow venture builders, venture studios, incubators, shared co-working wet labs, knowledge partners, and capital providers.
Collectively, we enable faster fundraising by shortening the time to pilot and clinical-stage products, thereby meeting investment milestones for faster exit and/or commercialization. This enables you to bring your intellectual property to life, supported by Esco Aster’s knowledge-intensive, capex-heavy, and linearly scalable biomanufacturing platforms.
Biotech and startups can therefore remain lean by being knowledge-intensive and capex-light, ensuring maximum financial returns to stakeholders while de-risking through reliance on Esco Aster’s proven first-in-class and first-in-market track record.
Esco Aster is first in class in cell-based foods (cultivated meat), engineered cancer exosomes targeting HLA-G, and single-use adherent packed-bed bioreactors with automated closed cell harvesting; and first in market for induced Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) from pluripotent stem cells for Dry AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration).
We focus on vaccines, therapeutic products, cell- and gene therapies, functional nutrition, and technologies at the molecular level that can repair, replace, or regenerate cells, microtissues, tissues, organoids, organs, and/or genes via genetic editing techniques, with the ultimate goal of treating the underlying root causes of disease rather than managing symptoms alone.
28 July 2021 – Global First in Food Innovation:
Esco Aster became the world’s first company to receive a food processing license from the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) to manufacture cell-based cultivated meat for human consumption.
17 January 2022 – ISO 22000:2018:
Commenced manufacturing of cell-based chicken paste under ISO 22000:2018 certification.
31 January 2023 – Unmatched Quality Standards:
Achieved the world’s first FSSC 22000 food safety certification for a cultivated meat manufacturing facility, bridging the gap between pharma-grade production and food safety standards.
07 October 2025 – First-in-Class (Therapeutics):
Pioneered engineered cancer exosomes targeting HLA-G and developed single-use adherent packed-bed bioreactors with automated closed-cell harvesting.
Ongoing – First-in-Market (Regenerative Medicine):
Completed the first successful run for induced Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) derived from pluripotent stem cells for Dry AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration).
We are driven to provide One Health-based measures, geared towards vaccination and less antibiotic dependence, to ensure animals considered as companions and nourishment providers, are free from diseases that transcends human and environmental health systems.
Esco Aster operates on dedicated sites based on our applications of our manufacturing platforms, each site has dedicated scientists working on specific modalities. Esco Aster will continue to scale up with our collaborators and partners for future commercial expansion in Singapore or as Internal Tech Transfer to client choice of country. Facilities and applications are:
Esco Aster Pte. Ltd.
#02-01, Blk 67 Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139950,
Esco AsterTide PD-Phase 2 CTM (Cells/Viruses/EVs)
#02-04 Blk 67 Ayer Rajah Crescent Singapore 139950
Esco AsterMavors Cellular Agriculture and Complementary Proteins (Food)
#03-20 Blk 71 Ayer Rajah Crescent Singapore 139951
Esco Aster's ISO 9001:2015 ensures that its business operations are robust and lays a quality management system foundation for the organization including its developmental sciences and services for Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
Key potential benefits of possessing this standard include:
Esco Aster is proud to have achieved My Green Lab Certification, a globally recognized standard for laboratory sustainability, endorsed by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign.
This milestone highlights our dedication to minimizing environmental impact through science-based, sustainable lab practices all while maintaining the highest standards in research and innovation. As part of a growing global community of certified green labs, we are committed not only to maintaining this standard but also to continuously improving our environmental performance.
1990
Esco expanded distribution to pharmaceutical life science biotech and medical reserach markets
2007
Expansion of Esco life science and medical products
2006
Esco earned onsite Ul accreditation
2017
Esco Aster was introduced (first CRDMO company in Asia utilizing its own proprietary Tide Motion technology)
Esco Aster and Institute of Molecular Cell Biology announce a collaboration to accelerate pre-clinical development of a hand foot and mouth vaccine
Esco Aster and Bioprocessing Institute sign a Memorandum of Understanding to innovate on continuous manufacturing platform
2022
2023
Facility Expansion for Cultivated Meat Production
2021
Esco Aster received a food processing license to manufacture cell-based cultivated meat from Singapore Food Authority (SFA).
2019
Esco Aster continued to grow with the outfitting of a cGMP-compliant PD, GLP, Phase1 and 2 clinical trial facility.
2018
Esco Aster and
National University of Singapore announced a development of single-use bioreactor-based stem cells for bone regeneration.
2015
Esco VacciXcell was introduced
2001
Esco earned first EN 12469 cert. for BSC
1978
Esco was founded in Singapore and began to pioneer cleanroom technology in Southeast Asia
XL Lin founded and manages the Esco Aster and Esco Healthcare Division within the Esco Lifesciences Group in 2009 developing the companies' very first cGMP downflow/containment booths and isolation systems from concept development to sales, project management, site-work, and validation.
Under his leadership, Esco Pharma has expanded from just a small division to now having 3 factories globally in USA/UK and Singapore. He brings his unique skillset in social entrepreneurship, market development, strategic product development, globally alliance networking, sales/contract management, clean air/containment facility, and systems design/integration into Esco VacciXcell. XL Lin graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences from University of Sydney and he is currently pursuing various options for further studies.
