Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR IDL) and France’s Institut Pasteur have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address the urgent health threats posed by the rise of tropical infectious diseases (ID) in the Asia-Pacific region. Together, this partnership would enable both parties to co-develop innovative technologies with translational impact towards enhanced health and economic outcomes. The signing ceremony for the MoU had been graced by Ms Minh-di Tang, the Ambassador of France to Singapore, alongside Professor Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur, and Professor Lisa Ng, Executive Director of A*STAR IDL.
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The Asia-Pacific region faces significant risk from emerging and re-emerging tropical ID. Factors such as high biodiversity, dense populations and environmental changes have made it an ID hotspot and led to extremely high incidences of diseases such as dengue and malaria — South-East Asia and the Western Pacific are two of the top three regions in the world most affected by dengue, and over half a million dengue cases were reported from eight territories in the Western Pacific in 2023.
Critical need for collaborative research
This underscores a critical need for collaborative research to counter the escalating challenges presented by tropical ID, and inform pandemic preparedness strategies so as to build stronger health resilience in the area. This partnership leverages the Institut Pasteur’s long history in microbiology and ID as well as global reach through their international network of institutes, alongside A*STAR IDL’s focus on cutting-edge translational research and technologies for ID detection, intervention and prevention, to jointly establish new ID solutions.
The MoU will focus on:
- Collaborative research and co-development of innovative technologies in these key ID areas: respiratory diseases, vector-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance
- Partnering for joint grant applications and co-organisation of workshops and symposiums
- Developing a talent pipeline through training in innovation and technology
Her Excellency Ms Minh-di Tang, French Ambassador to Singapore, said, “This collaboration aligns closely with the decision made by the France-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee on Science and Innovation (COSIMIX) in Singapore in October 2023 to prioritize health as a key area of cooperation between our two countries. Eight agreements were signed, covering AI, nuclear energy, sustainability, quantum technologies, and healthcare. Today’s agreement is a promising component of the health partnership between France and Singapore. It also reflects the strength of bilateral relations in science and research, with the Institut Pasteur serving as a key player in this collaboration.”
Collaboration crucial to tackle global health challenges
Professor Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur, said “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institut Pasteur has intensified its collaborations with Singapore, notably with A*STAR IDL. I strongly believe that such scientific cooperations, through the development of common research projects as well as education and training programs, especially towards young researchers, are crucial to tackle current global health challenges. I am looking forward to witnessing the development of this reinforced collaboration, which leverages on both our institutions’ strengths in antimicrobial resistance, respiratory diseases and vector-borne diseases.”
Professor Lisa Ng, Executive Director of A*STAR IDL, said “We are excited to join forces with the prestigious Institut Pasteur to build long term capabilities and scientific talent pipeline, in response to the emerging challenges of ID research and pandemic preparedness that COVID-19 has exemplified. Through this partnership, we will aim to drive cutting-edge translational ID research through scientific excellence, co-develop new and effective technologies for detection, intervention and prevention of new and emerging pathogens, so as to deliver better health and economic outcomes for Singapore.”
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the 2nd A*STAR IDL-Institut Pasteur Joint Forum, which was made possible with the support of Temasek Foundation — in recognition of the value the larger Pasteur Network can impart to Southeast Asia in terms of outbreak readiness, and the prospect of A*STAR IDL actively driving impactful ID preparedness research within the Network.
The Joint Scientific Forum brought together scientists from both institutes and member institutions of the Pasteur Network in the Asia-Pacific region, to share about ID research and integrate delegates with the wider scientific community, while also providing a valuable platform to cultivate deep engagements between A*STAR IDL and the constituent members of the Network.
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