Science
Associate Professor - PhD - Doctor
PHAN TOAN THANG
VIRTUE
The compass guiding scientist Phan Toan Thang’s actions is the principle of "lợi mình, lợi người"—to benefit oneself, and to benefit others. It is a concept that appears simple, yet is profoundly difficult to execute. This philosophy embodies the classical axiom tri nan hành dị (knowing is difficult, acting is easy): action becomes fluid only after true understanding is achieved.
Despite working at a world-class level within the halls of prestigious laboratories, he maintains a disarmingly humble, straightforward, and kind demeanor. It is the refined character of a man who has weathered significant storms and consciously chosen to live at the precise intersection of pragmatism and conscience.
For him, virtue is not a sterile attribute confined to the laboratory. It is an active, daily practice—the very point where science and humanity converge, rooted in simplicity.
Associate Professor – PhD – Doctor Phan Toan Thang (born 1968 in Hanoi) is a globally renowned Vietnamese scientist, especially in the fields of regenerative medicine and stem cell technology, with significant contributions to longevity medicine. He is widely recognized as the first in the world to successfully develop the technology for extracting stem cells from the umbilical cord membrane (CLSCs – Cord Lining Stem Cells) around 2004 — a groundbreaking discovery patented in more than 80 countries.
Education & Background:
- Graduated from the Military Medical Academy in 1991 and later worked at the National Institute of Burns.
- Conducted stem cell research at Oxford University (UK) and Stanford University (USA).
- Currently serves as a Research Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
- Holds a PhD in Regenerative Medicine from the National University of Singapore.
- Co-founder of the biotechnology company CellResearch Corporation.
Career & Contributions:
- Holds more than 80 patents recognized in advanced countries including the United States, Japan, India, Singapore, and China.
- Author of dozens of internationally published scientific papers. Notably, the world’s first process for culturing and expanding newborn umbilical cord–derived stem cells — developed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Toan Thang — has been officially recognized for meeting human-use safety standards by the U.S. FDA, UK MHRA, EU EMA, and Japan PMDA.
- Recipient of the Young Scientist Award (National Medical Research Council, Singapore).
- Recipient of the International Science Award (Plastic Surgery Research Council, USA).
The world knows him as the scientist who “turns trash into gold.” From the umbilical cord, once discarded as medical waste, he extracted a priceless source of stem cells, pioneering an entirely new frontier for regenerative medicine. Yet for him, the true measure of this achievement lies not in international accolades or patents, but in the simple, profound act of knowledge returning to serve life.
From the very beginning, I set a guiding principle: every product must serve humanity and remain affordable for patients. This stands in contrast to much of the scientific community, where the primary focus has long been on publishing as many papers as possible in prestigious journals. I refuse to overcomplicate a product.
Scientists often fall into a familiar trap: if a product isn’t complex, it doesn’t appear “intelligent.” But they forget that excessive complexity makes it difficult for the market to understand and dramatically increases costs — ultimately preventing many patients from accessing it. I have seen many brilliant innovations fail simply because their creators overcomplicated the procedures and usage steps.
My approach is simplification. And on this scientific journey, I have become someone who “turns waste into gold.” For example, leftover skin fragments discarded after reconstructive or cosmetic surgery — I kept them and built the first Asian skin bank, now the largest in Asia, based in Singapore. From there, I provide samples for numerous cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies to conduct research. Or I transform the umbilical cord — once considered medical waste — into a powerful source of stem cells, now widely used worldwide to treat degenerative diseases and slow the aging process.