A landmark collaboration between Singapore and France strengthens health resilience against infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific.
In a significant step toward addressing the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore’s A*Star Infectious Diseases Labs (IDL) and France’s Pasteur Institute have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance research and innovation in combating health threats.
A United Front Against Tropical Diseases
On November 12, 2024, representatives from both organizations signed the MOU at A*Star’s Infuse Theatre, marking a commitment to collaborative efforts in tackling challenges such as respiratory diseases, vector-borne illnesses, and antimicrobial resistance. Factors like dense populations, environmental changes, and high biodiversity make the Asia-Pacific region particularly vulnerable to outbreaks.
The World Health Organization highlighted this urgency by revealing that South-east Asia and the Western Pacific are among the regions hardest hit by diseases like dengue, with over half a million cases reported in 2023.
Key Areas of Focus
The partnership will emphasize:
Antimicrobial resistance research: Projects include exploring bacteriophages—viruses that target harmful bacteria without affecting humans.
Ageing and infection: Understanding how infections impact ageing and improving vaccine efficacy for the elderly population.
Professor Lisa Ng, executive director of A*Star IDL, underscored the importance of leveraging lessons from previous outbreaks like COVID-19 to strengthen future pandemic preparedness.
Building Regional Health Resilience
The collaboration aligns with the broader objectives of the Pasteur Network, which connects over 30 institutes in 25 countries to tackle global health challenges. As part of this partnership, scientists from the network and A*Star IDL will share expertise to drive impactful infectious disease research.
French Ambassador Minh-di Tang described the agreement as a testament to the strong scientific ties between France and Singapore. This initiative builds on eight prior agreements in areas such as artificial intelligence and healthcare under the France-Singapore Joint Committee on Science and Innovation.
Preparing for Future Health Threats
With infectious diseases posing a growing challenge to the region, this collaboration represents a vital step in enhancing outbreak readiness and health resilience. By combining resources, expertise, and talent, Singapore and France aim to address critical health challenges, ensuring a safer and healthier future for the Asia-Pacific region.
