Novartis creates new Singapore research institute for tropical diseases

12-Nov-2001

Novartis announced today the establishment of a new tropical diseases research center in Singapore involving a SGD 220 million investment. The center will be called the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases and is the result of an agreement between Novartis and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

The objective of the Institute is to advance medical research in the area of progressive infectious and parasitic diseases that affect so many people in the developing world. Historically, due to the high cost of drug discovery and development, there has been little focus on funding research in this area, especially as the financial returns have been viewed as unattractive. Novartis views this as a long term endeavor to enhance the discovery of preventative and effective treatments for diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and dengue, and ultimately reduce the overall affliction of tropical diseases and improve the prosperity of developing countries.

Commenting on this, Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis, said, "We believe that investments of this kind need to be undertaken if significant advances towards the treatment and prevention of these diseases are going to be realized. A recently released report indicated that tropical diseases alone account for 10% of the global disease burden, but virtually no new medicines are being developed. Tuberculosis and dengue fever remain major, and increasingly prevalent, public health problems around the world, particularly in developing countries, and Novartis is committed to contributing to finding solutions to help deal with them".

Novartis chose Singapore as the site for the research institute because of its location, infrastructure and strong focus on the development of biomedical sciences research. "Singapore is widely recognized as a regional centre of excellence where a modern scientific research centre such as this will thrive" said Dr. Vasella. "The institute will benefit from the high quality of local scientific expertise and close proximity to patients in nearby countries where tropical diseases are endemic. We also look forward to close collaboration with academic centers and other centers of excellence that are already established".

Through the research institute Novartis aims to attract top scientists to investigate novel therapeutic approaches with the goal of discovering and developing new treatments, vaccines and cures for tropical diseases. The institute will employ about sixty full-time scientists and technicians, and is expected to interact with Novartis centers worldwide and the established international network of tropical disease institutes.

Commenting on the creation of the research institute, Mr. Philip Yeo, Co-Chairman of the EDB and Chairman of the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB), said, "We warmly welcome Novartis to the growing Biomedical Sciences research community in Singapore. The Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases provides strong boost to the EDB's plan to encourage Biomedical Sciences R&D activities in Singapore. Today's announcement is a testimony of Novartis' confidence in Singapore's Biomedical Sciences capabilities. We are most pleased to work with an industry leader, and a committed partner like Novartis in this project."

The Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases will also receive support from the EDB's SGD 1 billion (USD 600 million) R&D Fund, which was set up in June 2000 to promote private R&D activities over the next five years. This Fund will enable Singapore to attract world-class companies to carry out their research activities here. This is part of the EDB's vision to develop Singapore into a world class hub for Biomedical Sciences with total business capabilities.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/5811/novartis-creates-new-singapore-research-institute-for-tropical-diseases.html