BIOMEDICAL CONSORTIUMS (Milestones and achievements)

Column No : 1803

BIOMEDICAL CONSORTIUMS:

(Milestones and achievements): 14.

Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what are the milestones and achievements of the Singapore BioImaging Consortium and Singapore Cancer Syndicate since they were set up in 2004 and 2002 respectively, (b) what are the specific milestones that have been set for the newly formed Stem Cell Consortium to achieve; and (c) if A*STAR plans to set up similar consortiums in areas other than the biomedical field.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Mr Speaker, Sir, A STAR is increasingly using the consortium platform to build critical mass in specific strategic areas by forging research network among scientists at the A STAR research institutes, the extramural community and the industry. The aim is to create and develop synergy and complementary expertise through collaborative projects.

Singapore BioImaging Consortium (SBIC)

The Singapore BioImaging Consortium was officially launched in May 2005. The Consortium aims to facilitate and promote cross-disciplinary research with a focus on Cancer, Metabolic Medicine and Regenerative Medicine, using thefour core technology platforms of Optical Imaging, Image Processing, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Development of Chemical/Biological Probes. The Consortium core facility is currently being outfitted with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment and employment of key staff is underway. The core facility is anticipated to be opened by the first half of 2006. The Consortium has also conducted its first grant call to promote and support cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional research as well as to encourage novel, exploratory and developmental research.

Singapore Cancer Syndicate

Let me turn to the second Consortium. The Cancer Syndicate was established to develop a comprehensive cancer research pipeline that starts from basic science discovery to eventual therapeutic applications in the clinic for cancer patients. The Syndicate has brought about harmonisation of research objectives across the universities, hospitals and the research institutions. This has led to the adoption of common protocols that is contributing towards building a national cancer research programme.

Since its inception, the Cancer Syndicate has established research programmes, grouped around consortia that work together towards a common goal, for example, gastric cancer, paediatric oncology, liver cancer orclinical trials consortia.

Among the achievements for the Cancer Syndicate is the early engagement of the pharmaceutical industry to partner with syndicate consortia to bring in new and novel cancer therapies that can benefit our cancer patients. The Syndicate's goal is to improve cancer outcomes for Singaporeans through the use of these research platforms.

Singapore Stem Cell Consortium

Let me turn to the third consortium which is theSingapore Stem Cell Consortium. The establishment of this Consortium was endorsed by the Singapore Biomedical Sciences International Advisory Committee on 31st October this year. It is currently putting together a strategic plan to support translational research activities that can lead to therapeutic or commercial applications of stem cells. Some ideas under consideration are the setting up of a national stem cell bank and acurrent Good Manufacturing Practice facility to produce clinically compliant stem cells for clinical applications.

Outside of this biomedical field, A*STAR’s Scienceand Engineering Research Council (SERC) also supports this multi-disciplinary research approach through joint projects and consortia. An example is the Equipment Consortium which was set up in 2004 to address critical issues and to harness emerging technologies in precision equipment design, simulation and manufacturing. The SERC research institutes and 11 local enterprises from the equipment manufacturing sector aremembers ofthis consortium, which is supported by the Economic Development Board and the Singapore Industrial Automation Association.