On Thursday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) formally inaugurated a new initiative designed to strengthen Singapore's readiness and response capabilities for future pandemics.
The Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response's (PREPARE) initial aim will be to build a national plan for epidemic research and development in close collaboration with MOH.
The initiative, directed by Professor Wang Linfa of Duke-NUS Medical School and Professor David Lye of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, is funded by the National Medical Research Council of the Ministry of Health and administered by NCID.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated during the initiative's introduction that having a specialized research program will facilitate the coordination of multi-disciplinary specialists throughout the pandemic research ecosystem.
He noted that this will also boost Singapore's existing capabilities by building research networks and developing the tools, procedures, and solutions required to react to future dangers posed by infectious disease outbreaks.
Internationally, the new initiative will improve research ties, share information and knowledge, and engage with many institutions in the area on clinical studies, he explained.
Mr. Ong stated that it will also serve as Singapore's link to international pandemic research forums and platforms, like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
Mr. Ong praised the achievements of various researchers, including Prof. Wang, whose lab was able to identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus within days of the first locally confirmed COVID-19 case, during his address.
During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, "our years of investment in biomedical research and consolidation of professionals in many fields have paid off," he stated.
We would not have been able to respond to the pandemic as successfully as we did if not for the reservoir of talents and talent that was developed over the years.
"Our experience in pandemic crisis management also foreshadows contemporary policymaking based on scientific facts and data and guided by research findings."
These pandemic preparedness and response skills should be strengthened and expanded.
During the announcement of Singapore's S$25 billion plan to foster research, innovation, and enterprise over the next five years, the program was originally announced in December 2020.
Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary stated last year during MOH's committee of supply debate that the programme will help to accelerate the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines, as well as establish a national infectious disease repository and database for research and data collection.
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, co-chair of the PREPARE steering group, told reporters on Thursday that several research goals have already begun to be carried out since the program's announcement in 2020. He noted that grant solicitations have been issued and submissions are being evaluated.
Funding for the initiative is around S$100 million over five years.
He stated, "The sum will be proportional to the sorts of work that have been committed and should be enough for the five-year timeframe."
Prof. Tan continued, "My anticipation is that we will be able to achieve the kinds of goals that led to the formation of PREPARE, at which time, of course, further financing will be provided, as this is a capability that will be required in the long run."
During a panel discussion at the opening event, the executive director of PREPARE, Professor Wang, stated that the project will assist to bridge the gap between new science and products that have a significant impact on the ground.
He told reporters that the program's objectives would include establishing how a new virus is propagated within one month and generating diagnostic goods within one hundred days.
Prof. Wang stated, "We must collaborate with (biotech businesses and their manufacturers) during times of peace in order to meet the 100-day deadline for a quick test for illness X."
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