Xinhong Lim

Managing Director

2024 - Current

The Kingdom of Bhutan has announced the creation of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Special Administrative Region, envisioned to be the world’s first economic hub where vibrant development and growth co-exist in harmony with nature, supporting mindful, spiritual and holistic living. It will enjoy executive, legislative and judiciary independence while adhering to the principles of Gross National Happiness. When completed, the Gelephu Mindfulness City aims to be a new global model for prosperity, demonstrating the possibility of sustainable and ethical economic success. The Mindfulness City’s iconic architecture will house transformational economic clusters that build on Bhutan’s strengths of massive clean energy potential, rich biodiversity and natural splendor, and deep cultural, spiritual and medical heritage. These clusters will focus on leading-edge technologies such as clean energy, integrative health and wellness, mindful and spiritual education and thought leadership, biotechnology and agrotechnology, as well as financial and digital assets. As Managing Director, I am helping to oversee strategic, operational and organizational leadership and management, governance, project development and implementation, partnerships and fundraising. I work with a team of international experts and Bhutanese talent, including many senior and young leaders, translating His Majesty's vision into policies, governance frameworks, masterplans (urban, economic, infrastructure) and projects to develop industries and partnerships, attract Foreign Direct Investments and create good jobs.

Managing Director, Founding Team

2024 - 2024

Venture Partner

2024

Managing Director

2023 - 2023

As a Managing Director and Member of the Investment Committee at Vickers Venture Partners, I have helped to originate, evaluate, decide, negotiate and manage investments into companies developing deep-tech, particularly pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, AI and advanced materials. I have concurrently taken on an operational role as Chief Strategy Officer at our portfolio company, RWDC, commercializing biodegradable polymers to replace single use plastics. I have also helped to raise money for the fund and portfolio companies from a variety of investors, including large financial institutions, family offices and HNW individuals. I work closely with my partners to formulate our portfolio investment strategy, in particular for the life sciences space. I started and currently run the Vickers Venture Partners Silicon Valley office. Portfolio companies: 1. Emergex (synthetic T-cell vaccines) - Board member 2. RWDC (biodegradable biopolymers) - Board member, Exco member and Chief Strategy Officer 3. Sisaf (drug delivery and gene therapy) - Board observer 4. Aardvark (broad spectrum anti-inflammatory and metabolic disease drug) - Board observer 5. Lumitron (compact synchrotron-grade X-ray) - Board observer 6. Atomwise (AI drug discovery) 7. Samumed/Biosplice (small molecule therapeutics for chronic and degenerative diseases) 8. AWAK (ultraportable kidney dialysis) 9. Eavor (closed loop geothermal energy) 10. Scilex (SPAC, non-opioid pain medication)

Member, Investment Committee

2023 - 2023

Assistant Managing Director

2020 - 2023

Director

2018 - 2020

Venture Principal

2015 - 2018

Artillery Officer

2001

As an Artillery Officer in the SAF reserves, I help to oversee Fire Support for an Infantry Brigade. As Battalion Tactics Trainer in the Artillery Training Center, I designed and implemented wargame scenarios to assess Artillery Battalion operational readiness. I also attended an Advanced Tactics Course for Artillery Officers, meant to prepare junior officers for senior positions. I graduated from Officer Cadet School with the Sword of Merit (Top 10% of cohort). As Cadet Wing 2nd-In-Charge, I was in charge of the administrative affairs and general discipline of a wing of ~100 cadets. I kept morale high by leading by example under high-pressure, time-critical conditions, constant communication with my fellow cadets regarding administrative decisions and implementing a fair and flexible system of guard duty rostering.

Board Observer

2022 - 2023

Executive Committee Member

2022 - 2023

Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)

2022 - 2023

Board Member

2020 - 2023

RWDC develops innovative and cost effective biopolymer material solutions. In particular, RWDC produces medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) biopolymers that are fully biodegradable in the natural environment and are designed for use across a broad range of applications, including food service items and non-woven textiles.

Board Member

2020 - 2023

Emergex's platform of synthetic T-cell vaccine candidates have the potential to confer protection against multiple families of viruses causing some of the deadliest infectious diseases, including coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2), flavivirus (dengue, zika, yellow fever), influenza (universal and pandemic), filovirus (Ebola and Marburg), and even intracellular bacteria (Francisella). Their vaccines act via a novel mechanism of action that trains killer T-cells and avoids antibody-related toxicity. It is very safe, as it is 100% synthetic with no RNA/DNA and live/dead virus, and similar vaccine constructs have already been tested in Phase I and II clinical trials with no safety issues. Emergex's technology is perfect for pandemic response, as they are quick to design, build and test, and have the potential to create universal vaccines that confer protection against entire virus families. In addition, they are highly scalable (no need for factories costing hundreds of millions) and are easy to transport, store and administer with minimal cold chain requirements.

Board Observer

2019 - 2023

Board Observer

2019 - 2023

Board Observer

2017 - 2023

Adjunct Assistant Professor

2018 - 2021

Principal Investigator

2018 - 2018

I co-lead the Acne and Sebaceous Gland Program at the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (ASGP@SRIS), a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team that is supported by more than $10 million of grant funding. ASGP@SRIS is a platform for innovation, development and clinical testing of acne and sebum control products. ASGP@SRIS addresses the highly prevalent conditions of acne and dry or oily skin, which result from dysfunction of the sebaceous gland. Together, they represent a market expected to exceed US$ 4 billion by 2020 and with strong growth potential in the Asia-Pacific region. The program aims to attract multinational companies (MNCs) and support or spin-off local small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The ASGP team integrates the sebaceous gland biology platform at the Institute of Medical Biology (IMB)/A*STAR, developed in partnership with industry, with other capabilities across Singapore: innovative materials and imaging engineering from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), clinicians and patients at the National Skin Centre (NSC) and cohorts of people with healthy skin at the National University of Singapore (NUS). We have generated new models for disease research and actives/drug discovery, proof-of-concept product testing, and discovery and testing in patients. Our tools facilitate our basic research, yielding new insights that have lead to the identification of novel actives that improve skin health. Our partners have included large consumer care MNCs and pharmaceutical SMEs.