Sinapore: Bayer HealthCare in Singapore in collaboration with five research institutions have kaunched new Integrated Translational Oncology Network to enhance R&D collaborations in fight against the growing cancer burden in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The establishment of the network was supported and facilitated by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

Partners in the Integrated Translational Oncology Network are Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Duke-NUS, National University Cancer Institute Singapore (NCIS), National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore General Hospital and A*STAR's Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC).

The Integrated Translational Oncology Network takes Bayer HealthCare's ongoing preclinical and clinical collaborations with various Singapore institutions to the next level. The network will aim to comprehensively tackle drug discovery and development challenges for Asian prevalent cancers and bring novel therapies from bench to bedside.

The partners will share their strategic vision and jointly develop and evaluate novel treatment options for Asian prevalent cancers in collaborative projects and trials. In addition, they will organize joint activities, such as annual meetings, workshops, or lectures and link their network and activities to other leading centers in Asia Pacific.

Mr Kevin Lai, director, biomedical sciences, EDB, said, "The establishment of Bayer's Integrated Translational Oncology Network demonstrates the strengths of Singapore's translational clinical research ecosystem. Singapore will continue to enhance the ecosystem through investments in new infrastructure and capabilities."

"The BMS Industry Partnership Office, which actively facilitates collaborations with the different research and clinical institutions is an excellent example of how Singapore is making the environment even more conducive for industry to conduct translational research here," he added.

Mr Thomas Steffen, country division head, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, said, "Singapore is uniquely positioned as a research hub for Bayer HealthCare. We have access to the key ethnic groups in Asia, which affords us greater clinical insights to the disease biology of Asian prevalent cancers and a growing pool of translational and clinical research talents with access to the necessary research facilities and scientific infrastructure."