Work Done By Govt to Fast-Track Devt and Launch of mRNA-based vaccines for cancer in SG

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1683
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 14 FEBRUARY 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Leon Perera
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 4208

To ask the Minister for Health what is being done by the Government to fast-track the development and launch of mRNA-based vaccines for cancer in Singapore.

Answer

Cancer is a priority disease area for research in Singapore. Through Research, Innovation and Enterprise funding over the years, competitive cancer research projects in Singapore have been supported by MOH’s National Medical Research Council, including the development of mRNA-based cancer vaccines.

2. For example, the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore is developing an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) vaccine platform using lipid nanoparticle mRNA vaccine technology. A*STAR is leading research that combines genomic knowledge about EBV and nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), to develop better mRNA vaccines against EBV that can reduce the risk of developing NPC which tends to affect Asians more. In addition, scientists at the National University of Singapore are investigating the combined use of a personalized RNA-based cancer vaccine with RNA based immune-checkpoint inhibitor treatments for patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. 

3. Research on the efficacy of mRNA-based vaccines against cancers is still at an early stage, and none has been approved yet to treat or prevent cancer. However, given the potential of this approach, MOH will continue to support the development of suitable mRNA-based vaccines to treat cancer as well as other important medical conditions in Singapore.

4. This includes (i) providing funding support for such research, (ii) supporting research collaborations between our researchers and overseas partners, (iii) supporting local research focusing on diseases that affect our local ethnic populations disproportionately and (iv) working through the Singapore Translational Cancer Consortium to better coordinate, integrate and support the work of key local cancer research stakeholders.