Recent highlights on Biomed in Singapore
In August, there were several key developments in biomedical R&D. Emergent BioSolutions announced its joint venture with Temasek Life Scieces Ventures to form EPIC BIO that will develop influenza vaccine in Singapore, while Biomérieux collaborates with Institut Mérieux and A*STAR to carry out tuberculosis research at the Biopolis in Singapore. In addition, World Courier broke ground for a new regional distribution facility in Singapoer as part of the expansion of its network to strategic and emerging markets.
* Emergent BioSolutions and Temasek Life Sciences Ventures Announced Joint Venture to Develop Influenza Vaccine
* A*STAR, Institut Mérieux and Biomérieux Collaborate in Tuberculosis Research
* Singapore Scientists Identified Important Genetic Variants that Confer Susceptibility to Meningococcal Disease
* Singapore Scientists Contributed Findings on Blood Lipid Levels through Genome-Wide Association Study of Multi-Ethnic Groups
* World Courier Broke Ground for New Facility in Singapore
Emergent BioSolutions and Temasek Life Sciences Ventures Announced Joint Venture to Develop Influenza Vaccine
Temasek Life Sciences Ventures Pte Ltd (TLV) and Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced their agreement to form EPIC BIO Pte Ltd, a joint venture to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a multivalent, cross-protective human vaccine to protect against influenza caused by a broad range of circulating H5 influenza strains.
The broad spectrum pandemic flu vaccine is expected to be based on multiple antigens held by TLV and to be delivered as a single vaccine using Emergent’s MVAtorTM vaccine delivery platform. Completion of this joint venture is expected in the next few weeks. The joint venture plans to initiate clinical manufacturing of the broad spectrum H5 vaccine candidate in 2011, with the clinical trial scheduled to begin in 2012. In addition, the joint venture will develop monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of pandemic H5 influenza using TLV’s monoclonal technology.
Source: EDB (http://www.edb.gov.sg/edb/sg/en_uk/index/news/articles/singapore_s_highlights19.html)
