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

Stem Cell Research in Singapore

Embryonic Stem Cells

Haemopoeitic Stem Cells

Adult Stem Cells

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

Thank You!Thank You!