A*STAR signed a memorandum of understanding with HistoIndex to quantitatively evaluate preclinical therapeutic candidates for fibrotic diseases, including cancer-associated fibrosis. The collaboration aims to use AI digital pathology to standardize measurement and support earlier, more comparable preclinical assessments. The partnership targets preclinical evaluation across disease models where fibrosis readouts can be variable between labs and analysts. HistoIndex’s digital pathology approach is expected to convert histology into quantitative metrics, potentially reducing subjectivity in preclinical go/no-go decisions. For translational teams, the immediate relevance is operational: better preclinical quantification can accelerate portfolio selection and de-risk IND packages. The MoU does not disclose specific programs, but it signals an effort to bring AI-enabled pathology into fibrosis drug development workflows.