The partnership focuses on addressing pressing health challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) and France’s Pasteur Institute have announced a landmark collaboration aimed at tackling infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific. This partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 12 November, emphasizes research into respiratory and vector-borne diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the interplay between infection and ageing.
A United Front Against Emerging Threats
Asia-Pacific’s dense populations, high biodiversity, and environmental changes have made it a hotspot for tropical infectious diseases, including dengue, which affects millions annually. In 2023, over 500,000 cases were reported in the Western Pacific, spanning countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia.
This collaboration seeks to address these challenges by pooling expertise from A*Star’s Infectious Diseases Labs (IDL) and the Pasteur Network, a global consortium dedicated to infectious disease research.
“This agreement is a critical step towards enhancing regional health resilience and pandemic preparedness,” said Ambassador of France to Singapore, Minh-di Tang, at the MOU signing event in Singapore.
Key Areas of Focus
Antimicrobial Resistance: Developing novel therapies, including bacteriophages—viruses that attack bacteria but are safe for humans.
Ageing and Infection: Understanding the impact of infections on ageing and improving vaccine responses in seniors.
Pandemic Preparedness: Learning from past outbreaks like COVID-19 to bolster strategies for future health crises.
Lisa Ng, Executive Director of A*Star IDL, emphasized that these efforts are crucial for building a robust defense against emerging infectious diseases.
Strengthening Regional and Global Partnerships
The collaboration highlights the strong bilateral ties between Singapore and France, following multiple agreements in healthcare, artificial intelligence, and nuclear energy under the France-Singapore Joint Committee on Science and Innovation in 2023.
The MOU was signed during the A*Star IDL-Institut Pasteur Joint Forum, supported by the Temasek Foundation, which brought together experts from the Asia-Pacific to exchange insights and strengthen outbreak readiness.
Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Pasteur Institute, underlined the importance of shared expertise: “This partnership allows us to learn, innovate, and respond collectively to infectious disease challenges.”
Looking Ahead
The A*Star-Pasteur collaboration aims to foster breakthroughs that will not only benefit the Asia-Pacific but also contribute to global health advancements, showcasing the power of international scientific partnerships.
