As part of their strategic internationalization efforts, Charité, BIH, and ESG launched the Co-Innovation Program, which resulted in the first call for proposals in March 2024, the second call in August 2025, and the third call in August 2026.

The goal of this partnership is to jointly develop research and translational projects in biomedicine and health technologies – ranging from early-stage research to clinical studies and ultimately market readiness. Start-ups from Singapore gain access to the clinical and scientific expertise and resources of Charité/BIH, while researchers benefit from opportunities for validation, co-development, and translation. The program is coordinated by the Match & Connect team at Charité BIH ARC Innovation Center (CBAIC) and is supported organizationally by the CSC.

Calls

  • First two Calls: Successful Pilot Projects

    Following the first two funding calls in March 2024 and August 2026, 15 selected start-ups were given the opportunity to submit project proposals for collaboration with Charité. Three particularly promising projects were selected for funding:

    • Restalyst is collaborating with Dr. Mohr on the project “The Role of ERBB3 and the HCC-REAAD™ Diagnostic Algorithm for the Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.”
    • Auristone is collaborating with Prof. Stintzing on epigenomic profiling in gastrointestinal cancers.
    • KYAN is collaborating with Prof. Dr. Braicu on the project “Feasibility Study for Cross-Border Functional Precision Medicine (FPM) Testing of Ovarian Cancer Samples from Charité Hospital (Germany) Using KYAN’s Optim.AI™ Platform.”

    These initial successes mark an important milestone in building sustainable international innovation partnerships and highlight the potential to accelerate translational research and patient-centered solutions on a global scale.

  • Third Call: Apply Now

    In August 2026, the third call for applications under the Co-Innovation Program was launched. Start-ups from Singapore are invited to apply for collaboration with Charité and BIH. Two funding lines are available:

    • Pilot or validation studies
      For solutions ready to be clinically tested or evaluated in pilot applications (e.g., after design freeze or with regulatory approval).
    • Joint product development
      For novel technologies and applications co-developed with Charité/BIH – including prototyping, MVPs, or joint-IP projects.

    Project funding will be provided 50% by Enterprise Singapore and 50% by the participating start-ups.

    Timeline for the third call:

    • by September 2nd 2026: Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOI) by the start-ups to ESG
    • September–November 2026: Matching with clinical partners & Letter of Intent
    • by January 15th  2027: Submission of full project proposals
    • from March 2027: Funding decision by ESG
    • from May 2027: Contract signing and project start

    We look forward to receiving exciting project ideas and to continuing this successful international innovation partnership.

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Contact

Dr. Hana Hastor

Medical Advisor

Clinical Study Center (CSC), International Partnering and Project Coordination

E-mail:
hana.hastor[at]charite.de