Stem Cell Research Stem Cell Research Strategies in SingaporeStrategies in Singapore
Presentation at the Presentation at the International Policy Discussion on Stem Cells International Policy Discussion on Stem Cells
Medical Research Council, UKMedical Research Council, UK7 January 20037 January 2003
bybyProf Eng Hin LEEProf Eng Hin LEE
Dean, Faculty of MedicineDean, Faculty of MedicineNational University of SingaporeNational University of Singapore
— Integrate biomedical sciences R&D efforts in Singapore
Research Institutes/Centres (IMCB, BTC, GIS, BII, IBE)
Industry
— Focal point for activities in the biomedical sciences
— An “intellectual hothouse” for both public and private sectors
— Promote interaction of biomedical researchers
— Attract international scientists
— Stimulate and train local talent together with the Universities
Biopolis
Biomedical Sciences Cluster
VISIONVISIONTo make Singapore a Global Hub
for Biomedical Sciences in Asia
Undergraduate Training
HumanCapital
Grad/Post-Doc Training
Industry R&D
Investment Promotion
Equity Investments
BMS EducationInfrastructure Development
Industrial Capital
Intellectual Capital
KEYA*STAR / BMRC
EDB/ BMS
Ethical Framework(BAC)
Exploit Technologies
Public R&D
Ministerial Committee
International Advisory Council
Executive Committee
National BMS Strategy
1. Integrate Public Research with Industry Clusters
2. Train Human Capital for PublicResearch and Industry
3. To Create, Own and Exploit (COE) our Intellectual Capital
Key Tasks of A*STAR
Biomedical Research Council (BMRC)
Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC)
Oversees & coordinates public sector physical sciences and engineering R&D activities and manpower development
Oversees & coordinates public sector physical sciences and engineering R&D activities and manpower development
Oversees & coordinates public sector biomedical sciences R&D activities and manpower development
Oversees & coordinates public sector biomedical sciences R&D activities and manpower development
Research Councils
Science and EngineeringResearch Council
Biomedical Research Council
(1) Support, sustain and stimulate excellent research directed at maintaining and improving human health
(2) Train people in high quality research skills to meet Singapore's needs of health, quality of life and global economic competitiveness
(3) Promote societal awareness of biomedical research
Public research & manpower training:
International Talent Attraction
Dr. Edison Liu, formerly from NCI, heads up the Genome Institute of Singapore
Dr. Gunaretnam Rajagopal heads up the Bioinformatics Institute
Leading researchers from US, Europe, and Japan to take up key positions in Singapore’s Biomedical Sciences initiative
Prof. Louis Lim heads up the Biomedical Research Council in the A*STAR
© Singapore Economic Development Board, 2002
Prof. Yoshiaki Ito, Director of Institute of Viral Research at U of Kyoto, joined IMCB with his entire research team
Dr Alan Colman, Head of Research at PPL, joined ESI as CSO, to focus on embryonic stem cell research
Total Commitment to BMS
Biomedical Research Council Public Budget—Support public research and manpower training
– Research institutes
– Specialty care centres
– Hospitals
– Universities
Private R&D Fund—Support corporate R&D centres with grants and loans
Biomedical Sciences Investment Fund — Direct investments in projects to enhance the level of Biomedical
Sciences economic activities in Singapore
PharmaceuticalsMedical
Technology
Healthcare Services
Biotechnology
Genomics
Bioengineering
Bioprocessing
Molecular Biology
Bioinformatics
BMRC R&D Capability Diamond
Chemistry
BMRC R&D Capability Diamond
Industry SectorsIndustry
Sectors
Government Funding for BMS R&D over 5 years (2001 - 2005)
Public Sector Fund—S$1 billion
Private/Industry Fund—2 S$1billion funds
The funding includes Stem Cell Research. BMS R&D in Singapore is predicated on the general principle of excellent science. Only meritorious research programs will be funded and funding for stem cell research will be considered on its scientific merits.
Research Funding
BMRC provides major part offunding for biomedical research
NMRC (Health Ministry) provides funds to hospitals/national centres for health related research
Stem Cell Research - a key area of research in Singapore
Multi-disciplinary approach
Researchers from the bioengineering, biomedical and scientific
fields.
Many hospitals, research institutions, universities and private
biomedical companies in Singapore are involved in Stem Cell
research eg
• National University of Singapore and National Technological
University
• National University Hospital and Singapore General Hospital
• Genome Institute of Singapore
• Bioprocessing Technology Centre
• ES Cell International
Embryonic Stem Cells
Ariff Bongso: first to publish in 1994
Collaboration between NUS, Monash
and Hadassah Universities
Mouse free feeder layer (2002)
Nuclear transfer technology
Adult Stem Cells
Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from Bone Marrow, Periosteum, Skin and Fat
Tissue Engineering: Musculoskeletal, Heart, Liver and Skin
Haemopoeitic Stem Cells
National University Hospital and Singapore General Hospital
• First known successful case in the world of umbilical cord
blood transplant in an unrelated donor for thalassemia major
• Treatment of leukemia and multiple myeloma using non-
myeloablative approach
• First functional cord blood bank set up in Asia
Stem Cell Research
Genome Institute of Singapore
Has established a new Stem Cell program using
genomics platform technologies to explore
unchartered territories in stem cell biology
To search for novel gene sequences that dictate
undifferentiation and differentiation
Stem Cell Research
ES Cell International
• First to achieve in vitro differentiation of hES cells into
neuronal cells
• Produces hES cells in compliance with Nov 2000 NIH
guidelines for research use and funding and is listed on
the NIH Registry
• First to successfully grow an animal-free hES line
• Currently has 40 scientists
• Aims to be world-leading provider of products and
technologies derived from hES cells
• Appointed by Cabinet in 2000 to examine legal, ethical & social issues arising from biomedical research and development in Singapore and to recommend policies to the Ministerial Committee on Life sciences on those issues
• The Recommendations on Stem Cell Research were made after an extensive process of public consultation with various ethnic, religious, professional and civic groups and after deliberations and careful survey of current practices in leading jurisdictions.
Protection of individual’s
rights
Development of biomedical
sciences
• Guiding Principles
Bioethics Advisory Committee
Recommendations on stem cell research and cloning - main points
• Reproductive Cloning - Total Ban• Therapeutic Cloning allowed under the following conditions:
where there is strong scientific merit in, and potential benefit from such research
where no acceptable alternative existson a highly selective, case-by-case basis, with specific approval
from the proposed national statutory authority• Only cells derived from embryos less than 14 days old are allowed
to be used
These recommendations were accepted by the Government in July 2002 and currently the legislative framework is being drawn up
As science progresses, the BAC will review the existing guidelines and make recommendations when deemed necessary.
Bioethics Advisory Committee
1. Embryonic Stem CellsNeurology - Parkinson’s diseaseCardiology - Myocardial damage after infarctionEndocrinology – Diabetes mellitus
hES cell lines in animal-free environment
2. Haemopoeitic Stem CellsAllogeneic transplants using non-myeloablative approach
in leukaemias Use in solid tumours and severe autoimmune disorders Ex-vivo expansion of stem cells
3. Adult Stem CellsMesenchymal Stem Cells for tissue engineering of bone,
cartilage, ligament and skin
Expertise in Stem Cell Research in Singapore
• Allow for clear and equitable IP ownership between researcher & funding agency• Strong legal infrastructure in place to :
Reward creators of IPEnsures protection of IP
Intellectual Property OwnershipIntellectual Property Ownership
• Strong Intellectual Property Rights Protection & Regulations• Ranked 1st in Asia by PERC* from 1997 to 1999• Member of Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) since 2000• Singapore Patents Act (1995) - Enforced by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
Paris Convention
World Intellectual
Property Org. (WIPO)
Budapest Treaty
Trade Related Aspects of IPR
(TRIPS)
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
BMRC IP Policy for researchers
All IP rights (including without limitation any patent
rights, non-patentable processes, innovations,
discoveries and inventions, copyrights, design rights,
all rights relating to software and technical
information) shall be the property of the Institutions in
such proportion to be determined by the Institutions
NUS IP Policy
Through INTRO
University owns IP
Net royalty: 50% to PI 30% to the faculty 20% to University
ES Cell International (ESCI) IP Issues
• ESCI is developing the hES Cell IP created by the Monash Institute of
Reproduction and Development, the National University of Singapore, the
Hadassah Medical Organisation (Israel) and the Hubrecht Laboratory (The
Netherlands)
• ESCI is the exclusive worldwide licensee of IP resulting from ongoing research of
these 4 institutions.
• Researchers can apply for access to the 6 hES NIH approved cell lines and will be
approved on signing an agreement under special terms and conditions.
INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CONFERENCE, SINGAPORE 2003
Date: 28-30 October 2003
Venue: University Cultural Center, NUS
Theme: From Bench to Bedside
Objectives:
• To raise public awareness of stem cell research in Singapore
• To provide an international forum for the academic and scientific discussion of stem cell research
• To raise the international standing of Singapore’s stem cell research.
INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CONFERENCE, SINGAPORE 2003
Programme: 10 sessions based on various fields of interests eg Neural, muscle, hematopoeitic, liver stem cells etc.
32 speakers including both foreign and localTarget audience: ~250 foreign & ~100 local delegates- by invitation
International Advisory Panel: Chairman Professor Sir George Radda and 3 other members
Possibility of being an annual event