Lilly Sets up Systems Biology R&D Center in Singapore

27-Jun-2001

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) announced today that they have entered into an agreement for Lilly to establish a groundbreaking R&D center in Singapore focused on systems biology.

Systems biology is a creative approach to studying whole biological systems utilizing contemporary biotechnology strategies, including bioinformatics, in parallel with conventional biomedical research. Unlike traditional approaches, systems biology looks at all levels of biological information from genes to mRNAs to proteins in terms of the biological pathways or systems involved in physiology and disease. The promise of this type of integrated research is the ability to accelerate the rate of drug discovery and enhance the quality of information gathered about the drug during the process.

"This center will provide a vital link for our organization," said Thomas Bumol, Ph.D., vice president of research technologies and proteins. "Medical research is now conducted in an information rich environment in the post-human genome sequence world which requires a new paradigm to study biological systems. A systems biology approach will integrate and analyze biological information across the drug discovery disciplines of molecular biology, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and clinical development, which will be essential for innovation in drug development."

Lilly's state-of-the-art research and development center, the Lilly Centre for Systems Biology (CSB), will employ approximately 50 scientists and information technology professionals, adding to the company's presence in the region and enhancing global research efforts. The CSB will begin operations by 2002 and is expected to spend $140 million on research over a five-year period.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/3659/lilly-sets-up-systems-biology-r-d-center-in-singapore.html