Thomson X Inks Partnership with Singapore-Based Startup

SINGAPORE, Feb, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Thomson X (“TX”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGX Mainboard-listed Thomson Medical Group Limited (the “Group”), today announced a strategic partnership with Plano Pte Ltd (“Plano”), a Singapore-based HealthTech startup.

The collaboration will leverage on the respective strengths of TX and Plano to address and manage the rapidly increasing incidence of myopia through innovative technological solutions.

Myopia is steadily growing into one of the biggest public health challenges in the world, affecting an estimated 2.6 billion people globally, or about one-third of the world’s population.

By 2050, myopia is projected to affect 5 billion people, which is estimated to be about half of the world’s population. Developed economies in Asia such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea have reported myopia rates of more than 80% and the estimated direct annual costs of managing myopia globally amounts to US$328 billion.

Plano is a health technology company that specialises in myopia management through education and awareness, innovative technological solutions and AI.

Supported by the Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, National Health Innovation Centre and Enterprise Singapore, together with its recent strategic alliance with Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a global ophthalmic leader, Plano is a leading advocate in raising awareness and educating the public on myopia, its risk factors and management strategies.

Thomson X, a platform that is focused on simplifying healthcare through technology, oversees Thomson Medical Group’s technology roadmap by connecting HealthTech startups with its healthcare expertise and network to scale up rapidly and maximise their reach, creating sustainable growth.

Through the partnership, the Group’s patients at Thomson Paediatric Clinic and Thomson Kids in Singapore, and Thomson Eye Centre in Malaysia will soon have access to Plano’s innovative eye-care solutions on top of Thomson’s existing healthcare services. In addition, the partnership will also accelerate Plano’s market potential through TX’s global partner, the Global Esports Federation, by delivering innovative eye health services to Esports athletes and gamers who are exposed to long screen time.

The partnership will grant TX an option to subscribe for an equity stake in Plano which can be exercised in three tranches over a six-year period based on certain conditions. If all three tranches are exercised, TX will hold a minority stake in Plano, allowing TX to participate in Plano’s future growth.