NUS Biotech Entrepreneurship: Alumna Turns Menstrual Challenges into Innovative Business Success

In the vibrant biotech ecosystem of Singapore, the National University of Singapore (NUS) stands as a powerhouse for fostering entrepreneurship among its students and alumni. One compelling story emerging from this landscape is that of Tan Peck Ying, an NUS Science graduate from the class of 2011, who transformed personal struggles with menstrual health into a thriving business. Through her company Blood, Tan has not only addressed a critical gap in women's health products but also exemplified how NUS's entrepreneurship programs propel graduates into innovative ventures.

Tan's journey began amid the rigorous academic environment at NUS, where she pursued a science degree that equipped her with a strong foundation in biological sciences. However, it was the university's extracurricular offerings that ignited her entrepreneurial spark. Enrolled in an entrepreneurship module, she met her future co-founder and husband, Caleb Leow, a NUS Business School alumnus from the class of 2015. This serendipitous connection laid the groundwork for what would become a pioneering femtech startup.

🔬 Sparks from NUS Overseas Colleges Program

The NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program proved pivotal for Tan. This flagship initiative immerses students in entrepreneurial ecosystems abroad, such as Silicon Valley or Shanghai, where they work on real-world projects with startups. During her NOC stint, Tan confronted the inadequacies of existing period products head-on. Severe menstrual cramps had plagued her since adolescence, often leaving her incapacitated—fainting on public transport or struggling in dorms without adequate relief. The silence surrounding periods in her traditional household amplified her isolation, prompting her to envision solutions that were effective, sustainable, and stigma-free.

Returning to Singapore, Tan channeled this experience into action. She joined NUS Enterprise, the university's entrepreneurship arm, spending three to four years supporting other startups. This insider perspective honed her skills in commercialization, funding, and scaling—essential for turning lab-inspired ideas into market-ready products. NUS Enterprise, with its incubators like BLOCK71 and accelerators, has nurtured over hundreds of ventures, including two unicorns as of 2026, underscoring its role in Singapore's startup surge.

Innovating Menstrual Health Products

Blood, initially launched as PSLove in 2014 and rebranded in recent years, specializes in game-changing period care. The flagship innovation, MenstruHeat, is a drug-free heat patch designed specifically for menstrual cramps. Inspired by winter heat patches from overseas, Tan and Leow iterated through prototypes to create a version that adheres reliably, provides sustained warmth, and avoids chemical irritants. This product marked their entry, addressing the pain that affects up to 90% of women, often disrupting daily life.

Evolving beyond pain relief, Blood delved into material science with corn-based sanitary pads. After rigorous research and development (R&D) testing alternatives like organic cotton, bamboo, and lyocell, the team selected a corn top sheet for its superior absorbency, breathability, and hypoallergenic properties—ideal for Singapore's humid climate where rashes from synthetic pads are common. These ultra-thin, biodegradable pads prevent leaks and irritation, representing a biotech-infused approach to consumer goods. The company now offers liners, overnight pads up to 50cm, and menstrual cups, all emphasizing clean ingredients and user-centric design.

By 2026, Blood has sold over 15 million units across more than 7,000 retail points in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Their bold red packaging and real-blood demonstrations challenge the blue-liquid euphemisms of traditional marketing, fostering authentic conversations about menstruation.

Growth Trajectory and Funding Milestones

From humble beginnings, Blood secured S$2 million in Series A funding in May 2023, led by DSG Consumer Partners, followed by a seven-figure Series B in 2024. These infusions enabled product diversification and regional expansion, positioning Blood as a leader in Southeast Asia's femtech space. The company's Period Squad campaign, launched in February 2025, introduced five characters—Paddy, Spotty, Moody, Sleepy, and Crampy—to personify menstrual symptoms, complete with a viral music video that educates and validates user experiences.

Tan's vision extends to tackling period poverty through affordable options and further R&D into sustainable biomaterials. Partnerships with retailers like Guardian, Watsons, and NTUC FairPrice have made products accessible, while e-commerce drives direct consumer feedback for continuous improvement.

NUS Enterprise: The Backbone of Biotech Ventures

NUS Enterprise plays a crucial role in bridging academia and industry. Programs like the Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP), now extended to alumni, provide funding and mentorship for deep-tech commercialization. In biotech, NUS has spawned ventures in areas from AI-driven biologics manufacturing to mechanobiology for age-related diseases, backed by S$49 million in recent funding for the Mechanobiology Institute.

Beyond Blood, NUS alumni lead startups like Cellivate Technologies, licensing NUS tech for electrical stimulation devices, and others in agritech and healthtech via the NUS Agritech incubator. As of 2026, NUS Enterprise boasts a portfolio with significant exits and unicorns, contributing to Singapore's status as a global biotech hub with over 500 funded startups.

Singapore's Thriving University-Led Biotech Scene

Singapore's universities are at the forefront of biotech entrepreneurship. Neighboring Nanyang Technological University (NTU) incubates ventures in quantum sensing and ammonia production, while Duke-NUS Medical School's LIVE Ventures, a S$20 million incubator launched in 2024, accelerates bench-to-bedside translations. SMU focuses on sustainability law intersecting with biotech.

The government's support, via A*STAR and Enterprise Singapore, amplifies this. Singapore ranks high in global startup ecosystems, with femtech gaining traction amid a push for women's health innovations. Blood exemplifies how university training in science, business, and entrepreneurship converges to address underserved markets.

Statistics highlight the impact: NUS alone has facilitated ventures raising billions, with biotech comprising a growing share. This ecosystem not only creates jobs but also positions Singapore as Asia's biotech innovation leader.

Overcoming Challenges in Femtech Entrepreneurship

Femtech faces unique hurdles: stigma, underfunding (women-led startups receive less than 2% of VC globally), and R&D costs for body-safe materials. Tan encountered rejections, manufacturing glitches—like crumpled heat pads—and cultural taboos. Yet, persistence, consumer testing, and NUS networks turned obstacles into strengths.

Photo by Chunjiang on Unsplash

• Stigma busting via bold marketing.
• R&D investment in bio-materials like corn derivatives.
• Strategic funding from consumer-focused VCs.

Future Outlook for NUS Biotech Entrepreneurs

Looking ahead, Blood aims to penetrate more SEA markets, innovate in diagnostics (e.g., non-invasive health tracking), and scale sustainable production. For NUS students, programs like NOC and GRIP promise more such successes, aligning with Singapore's vision for a biotech-driven economy.

Tan's advice: Embrace overlooked problems—they hold the biggest opportunities. Her story inspires a new generation, proving NUS biotech entrepreneurship equips graduates to solve real-world issues innovatively.