1. A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Insitute (BTI) and GSK Biologicals SA Belgium have sealed an agreement to collaborate in three vaccine and adjuvant system related research projects. This collaboration, which will integrate BTI’s expertise in bioprocessing with GSK’s capabilities in biologics, aims to bring about new approaches to vaccine development and production.
2. A highlight of the collaboration is the two-year project led by A/Prof Lam Kong Peng from BTI’s Immunology Programme to uncover the molecular mechanism of new classes of adjuvants[1] provided by GSK Biologicals and their effect on the body’s immune system. Findings from such research work could lead to new breakthroughs in vaccine development and delivery methods, increase the efficacy of vaccination and develop expertise in this new area of research. Such findings could have a direct impact on future vaccination programmes in healthcare.
3. Said A/Prof Lam, “Vaccine adjuvants have long been used to jump-start the body’s immune defence to protect it against harmful pathogens. We are excited as this collaboration will bring out the best of both GSK and BTI’s expertise in vaccine R&D to increase our understanding of the complex processes involved.”
4. GSK Biologicals will also be working with BTI’s Cell Culture and Microarray groups. Said Dr Niki Wong, Research Scientist at BTI, who is working on both projects, “We are pleased that GSK has chosen to make use of BTI’s protein expression technology and microarray platforms to characterise recombinant vaccine protein production. This increased understanding could lead to the design of strategies for high-yielding and more cost-effective production processes.”
5. Said Dr Jean-Paul Prieels, Senior Vice President R&D, GSK Biologicals SA, “We are very pleased to be working with BTI. Their expertise on bioprocessing technologies made it a good choice as a partner in conducting cutting-edge vaccine development research. This complements our R&D based-approach in vaccine development and manufacturing. We are hopeful that this partnership will make a measurable contribution in the development of a new generation of vaccines.”
6. Commenting on the significance of the collaboration, Prof. Miranda Yap, Executive Director, BTI said, “This is the first time we have established a major partnership with GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. It marks the fruition of BTI’s efforts in building bioprocessing expertise and it augurs well for our research institute as we continue to spearhead advances in bioprocessing science, particularly in the area of vaccine research and development.”
7. Prof. Lee Eng Hin, Executive Director of A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council added, “GSK’s substantial commitment to the collaboration speaks highly of the work done at BTI. Our scientists at the BMRC RIs are always on the look out for opportunities to partner with the industry on projects that will have direct impact on healthcare issues. This is ever so important as we continue in our push for more translational and clinical research in Phase II of Singapore’s Biomedical Sciences Inititative.”
8. With the marked increase in the number of biologics drug candidates under clinical evaluation in recent years, biologics are expected to contribute significantly to the growing pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries. Worldwide sales of biologic medications increased by 12.5% in 2007 to USD$75 billion, nearly double the 6.4% increase in sales of traditional pharmaceuticals[2].
