New Leadership Appointments at A*Star's Biomedical Research Council and The Ministry Of Health's National Medical Research Council

21 Sep 2006

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will make new appointments in the leadership at the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) and enhance the organisation of its research institutes and consortia from 1 October 2006.  The changes will enable BMRC to deepen its scientific research capabilities and to drive the translation of basic research to advance human healthcare.  The dual appointment of Professor Edward Holmes at BMRC and the Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council (NMRC) will facilitate the coordination between the scientific and medical community.

A*STAR Chairman, Mr Philip Yeo, said, "Singapore's Biomedical Sciences initiative has made good progress over the last 5 years.  It is timely to move to the next phase - to bring the discoveries and inventions of our research institutes from 'Bench to Industry' and from 'Bench to Bedside'."

Dr Lam Kong Peng, Acting Executive Director of the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), will assume the position of Executive Director of the newly established Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN).  SIgN plans to build up a strong programme in basic human immunology research with an emphasis on systems biology approaches in order to improve global understanding of the human immune system, and the translation of this knowledge into medical applications.

Dr Beh Swan Gin, an Administrative Service officer, will succeed him as Executive Director of BMRC.  At the Economic Development Board, Dr Beh will relinquish his current position as Director Biomedical Sciences and will be appointed Director Planning and Policy.  He will also maintain his concurrent appointment as Director of the Energy Planning Division at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

At the same time, the Research Institutes and Consortia under BMRC will be organised into two Groups - the Biomedical Sciences and Technology Group (BSTG) and the Translational and Clinical Sciences Group (TCSG) - for better coordination and synergy as Singapore embarks on the next phase of the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) initiative.

Professor Sir David Lane, Executive Director of the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), will be concurrently appointed as Executive Deputy Chairman of BMRC in charge of BSTG.  In his new appointment, Professor Lane's task will be to align and integrate the research directions and efforts of the institutes and consortia in BSTG, to discover new scientific knowledge and create new technologies that can be applied and used for human healthcare. 

Professor Edward Holmes will be appointed as Executive Deputy Chairman of BMRC in charge of TCSG.  He will focus on building up the research capabilities and people needed to translate the discoveries and inventions of bench scientists into potential new drugs, devices and diagnostic tools. 

To facilitate this important work, the Ministry of Health will concurrently appoint Professor Holmes as the Executive Chairman of the National Medical Research Council (NMRC).  He will work closely with the hospitals to develop the framework needed to support clinician scientists and clinician investigators.  Dr Edwin Low, currently Director of Clinical Governance at the Singapore General Hospital, will move over to MOH and be appointed as Executive Director of NMRC, also with effect from 1 October 2006, to assist Professor Edward Holmes in implementing the various new programmes and initiatives.

These changes at the NMRC are part of the restructuring of the council that is aimed at better supporting the next phase of the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) initiative by increasing the translational and clinical research capabilities of the public hospitals, research institutions and medical researchers.  The restructured council will be working closely with the BMRC under the joint guidance of MOH and A*STAR to establish core flagship national research programmes, build up essential research infrastructure,  and develop research manpower so that basic science research is translated into medical applications.  The peer review and grant management processes will be strengthened so that the NMRC can effectively co-ordinate national efforts in the development of clinical and translational research and ensure returns on public investment in clinical research.

Professor Holmes will take over from outgoing Chairman Professor Woo Keng Thye, who had served on the NMRC with distinction since 1994 and as Chairman since 2003. Professor Woo has been instrumental in improving the research output of local medical researchers, thanks to his hard work in strengthening the grant allocation framework and developing core research facilities. Professor Woo also helped drive inter-agency collaboration with A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) to develop new joint initiatives such as the NMRC-BMRC Joint Grant Call and the Clinician-Scientist Investigatorship Award. MOH thanks Professor Woo for his sterling leadership at the NMRC and is pleased that Professor Woo continues to serve as chairman of the MOH Medical Clinical Research Committee and on the National Kidney Foundation Board of Directors.

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Quotes by new appointees:

Dr Beh Swan Gin said, "It is a privilege to join BMRC and A*STAR.  I hope to build on the excellent foundation that Kong Peng and past Executive Directors of BMRC have put in place.  Given my experience in EDB, I also intend to strengthen the linkages between the activities of the two organisations.  Science & technology are increasingly important as building blocks and growth engines for the Singapore economy." 

Dr Lam Kong Peng said, "Immunology Research has direct relevance to translational and clinical sciences. By understanding the working of the human immune system, we can directly apply the fruits of our research in the laboratories to various areas as diverse as Infectious Diseases, Autoimmune Diseases, Immunotherapy in Cancer treatment and Tissue and Organ Transplantation such as stem cell therapy.  I look forward to the challenge of leading SIgN and making it a model for translational research.  The SIgN appointment will also give me the opportunity to return to my one true passion, which is hands-on biomedical science research."

Professor David Lane commented, "Singapore has made tremendous progress in basic biomedical research in the last five years, attracting top talent from abroad and developing local Singaporean scientists.  Now we need to further coordinate our efforts to harvest this rich stream of discoveries and technologies into new diagnostics and therapies that can be developed all the way to commercial approval in Singapore and create a major new knowledge-based industry."

Professor Edward Holmes added, "Singapore is in a unique position to become one of the leading centers in the world for translational and clinical research - it has a strong and growing base in fundamental biomedical research, highly regarded medical schools and universities, an excellent health care delivery system, a growing biotech and pharma presence, and an unparalleled commitment to bring these resources together to attract the best talent in the word to see that basic research discoveries are translated into new therapies that improve the health of Singaporeans and peoples around the world."

Dr Edwin Low said, "This is an exciting phase of development for the biomedical sciences in Singapore as we move from bench to bedside through translational and clinical research.  It is an honour to work alongside distinguished thought leaders and researchers in the biomedical sciences community. I look forward to the challenge of building up the framework and milieu to develop and groom more clinician-scientists to take on this exciting challenge."

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