Pharma And Biotech Companies Plug Into Singapore's Integrated Research Network

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 22 May 2009 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies are drawing on Singapore's integrated network of public-sector and academic institutes to enhance their R&D productivity, leverage academic insights and diversify risks. Located at the heart of Asia with a population base that is representative of key Asian ethnic groups, Singapore provides a home-base of innovation for companies to test and develop new solutions for Asia and beyond.

Recent announcements of public-private partnerships (PPP) include GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals committing US$1.3 million in vaccine and process development with Singapore's Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI); Lilly Singapore Centre for Drug Discovery (LSCDD) teaming up with Singapore's National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), and the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) to advance drug discovery using adult brain tumor stem cells.

AstraZeneca announced its collaboration with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and the National University Hospital (NUH) in pre-clinical and clinical development activities of anti-cancer compounds to build up AstraZeneca's drug development capabilities in Asia; Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) partnered European biotechs - Humalys SAS and Cytos Biotechnology Ltd - to develop antibodies for combating and managing viruses prevalent in Asia including hand, foot and mouth disease.

Massachusetts-based biotech, FORMA Therapeutics, has also set up its first overseas lab in Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU). An emerging biotech company, Forma seeks to integrate important new advances in biology and chemistry to unlock the best targets and pathways that genomic medicine has revealed. FORMA will be collaborating with the Experimental Therapeutics Centre of Singapore (ETC) to co-discover novel therapeutics.

"There is no doubt Asia will soon be the next centre of gravity for the global pharma industry. While the diverse Asian market presents tremendous opportunities, it remains challenging to navigate the region's complexities and harness its opportunities. Singapore provides one of the best locations in Asia, which would enable us to conduct our targeted research, collaborate with public institutions and tap into regional capabilities to supplement our activities," said Dr Steven Tregay, Chief Executive Officer, FORMA Therapeutics.

Public-Sector Resources Allow for End-to-End Research Activities

As companies worldwide seek to develop new therapies and diagnostics to expand their pipeline of innovative products, PPPs represent an effective way for companies to enhance their R&D productivity and accelerate commercialisation efforts.

Singapore's advanced research infrastructure, base of more than 2,800 public sector researchers and business-friendly economic policies are fuelling the rapid growth of PPPs in biomedical sciences. Companies may leverage on Singapore's extensive resources and cross-institutional capabilities to handle complex bench-to-bed and bed-to-bench translational projects. These resources include dedicated clinical bio-imaging research, bio-safety, and early-phase trial facilities. Companies can also tap into the preclinical predictive disease models and platform technologies in genomics and bio-imaging available in Singapore.

Mr. Yeoh Keat Chuan, Executive Director, Biomedical Sciences, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) said: "The EDB provides a one-stop shop to link companies to our integrated network of public-sector research and medical institutes. Singapore is also strategically located at the heart of Asia, which makes us an ideal control tower to oversee R&D activities across the heterogeneous landscape in Asia, especially in translational medicine and Asian diseases. Coupled with our pro-business policies and focused efforts to be future-ready, Singapore is well-positioned to be a strategic research partner for the industry and a home-base for innovation in Asia."

Source
Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)

• Additional
• References
• Citations