Pharma and Biotech Companies Plug into Singapore’s Integrated Research Network
companies are drawing on
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,
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
development with
Singapore Centre for Drug Discovery (LSCDD) teaming up with
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
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.
overseas lab in
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
“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.
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
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.
public sector researchers and business-friendly economic policies are fuelling
the rapid growth of PPPs in biomedical sciences. Companies may leverage on
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
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.
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,
partner for the industry and a home-base for innovation in Asia.”
The Biopolis, a 2.4 million square-foot research campus, is the icon of
research operations with publicly funded research institutes, the Biopolis is
imbued with a campus spirit to advance science and human healthcare via cross-
disciplinary, public-private collaborations.
In recognition of this significant advantage, numerous companies have
chosen to set up their Asian R&D operations at the Biopolis. Emerging biotech
companies such as PharmaLogicals and SGAUSTRIA (formerly Austrianova) are
located alongside leading pharmaceutical companies. A 400,000 square-foot
Phase 2 expansion of the Biopolis launched in 2006 is already fully subscribed.
Another 440,000 square feet of research space is being added and will be ready
by 2010.
Recent announcements at the Biopolis include:
-- Lilly opened its Singapore Centre for Drug Discovery (LSCDD) that will
coordinate its activities throughout Asia via the new FIPNet (Fully
Integrated Pharmaceutical Network) model. Staffed by 150 researchers,
LSCDD is also one of the world's first R&D centres to conduct drug
discovery through an integrated approach of biomarker discovery
research, integrated informatics and bioinformatics.
"At a strategic level, LSCDD is about expanding into Asia to leverage
talent and to establish collaborations with others to support our drug
discovery efforts. Our expanded location now at the Biopolis, where
other industry peers and academic institutions reside will help us to
achieve this goal," said Jonathon Sedgwick, Managing Director and Chief
Scientific Officer, LSCDD.
-- Schering-Plough opened its first Translational Medicine Research Centre
(TMRC) that will carry out biomarker discovery and development. The
TMRC will also coordinate the company's participation in biomarker
consortia and collaboration with research institutes in Singapore. The
facility will be staffed by over 50 scientists.
-- Abbott opened its US$5 million pharmaceutical analytical research
laboratory, the first in Southeast Asia. This lab will initially employ
17 researchers. In addition, Abbott announced its Asia-Pacific Research
and Development Center for Nutrition Science which will also be located
at the Biopolis. This centre will focus on clinical trials and
development of nutritional products that are tailored to Asian dietary
needs.
About Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)
EDB is the lead government agency for planning and executing strategies to
enhance
for investors and companies in
opportunities and jobs for the people of
country’s economic future.
For more information on how EDB can help in biomedical sciences business
and investment, please visit http://www.biomed-singapore.com .
For media enquiries, please contact Ruder Finn.
Kaele Stock
Senior Account Executive
Ruder Finn (New York)
Tel: +1-202-276-2471
Email: stockk@ruderfinn.com
Parveen Kaur
Senior Consultant
Ruder Finn Asia (Singapore)
Tel: +65-9327-8175
Email: kaurp@ruderfinnasia.com
SOURCE Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)