Sanofi, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and the National Skin Centre Singapore (NSC) established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 22 Nov, to advance research in acne treatment.

Facilitated by the Biomedical Sciences Industry Partnership Office, a national platform hosted by A*STAR, this partnership draws on the expertise of Sanofi alongside clinical and research institutions from Singapore. Together, they combine advanced scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art biomedical and clinical infrastructure to drive advancements in acne treatment.

The collaboration will encompass a phase 1 clinical study in patients with mild acne, anticipated to start in Q2 2025, and a translational study to build a deeper understanding of the key biological markers that impact the severity of the condition.

Acne is a widespread, chronic inflammatory skin condition. While nearly 80% of teens experienced acne, treatments have seen little advancement in the past 30 years. Adult acne is also becoming more common, affecting an estimated 40% of the population.

Jean-François Toussaint, Global Head of Research and Development, Vaccines, Sanofi  explained “Our collaboration with leading Singapore's institutions like A*STAR facilitates the ideal environment to extend the research on our acne vaccine candidate program, including in earlier disease stages. As a leader in immunoscience, we are pioneering groundbreaking approaches in acne treatment aimed at restoring a balanced microbiome through the power of the immune system.” 

Associate Professor Chua Sze Hon, Executive Director, National Skin Centre, National Healthcare Group (NHG), "NHG is excited about our collaboration with Sanofi through our National Skin Centre to explore a new approach and treatment against acne. The clinical study will help to generate valuable data to establish new efficacy endpoints for mild acne treatment, which are currently unavailable, and reinforce Singapore’s expertise in clinical trials, particularly in an Asian context. The translational study will explore the role of skin bacteria and biological responses in acne progression, paving the way for targeted biologics in future acne treatments.”

Professor Tan Sze Wee, Assistant Chief Executive, Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), A*STAR, “A*STAR is delighted to collaborate with Sanofi and the National Healthcare Group through its National Skin Centre (NSC) to push the boundaries of research in acne treatment. This partnership illustrates the power of collaboration, bringing together A*STAR's expertise in microbiome science, advanced analytics, and machine learning with the clinical strengths of Sanofi and NSC. Together, we aim to advance research in Singapore and contribute meaningfully to innovative and breakthrough solutions for acne sufferers worldwide.”

This collaboration has the potential to reshape the acne treatment landscape, offering innovative solutions that could transform the quality of life of people living with acne.

Image Caption: Representatives from Sanofi, A*STAR, the National Skin Centre and National Healthcare Group alongside Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, Permanent Secretary, National Research and Development as they prepare to formalise the Memorandum of Understanding to advance acne research.