Thermo Fisher Scientific and the National University of Singapore Sign MOU to Create Strategic Alliance to Accelerate Life Science Research in Singapore

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) today announced that they have inked a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a strategic alliance to advance basic and applied research in Singapore. The agreement will support future discoveries and development of applications.

The alliance to be formed by the two parties will identify and promote high-impact research that will advance knowledge and contribute to the betterment of society. As a part of the agreement, for up to five years, Thermo Fisher Scientific will sponsor both multi-year and short term research grants in the life sciences, and will also support collaborative interactions with NUS, including a joint symposium to accelerate scientific knowledge exchange in the biological and physical sciences.

Focus areas include research in life sciences, healthcare and applied markets, such as cancer and diagnostics. These programmes will also pursue development of analytical technologies, reagents, instrumentation, and software for life sciences, healthcare and the environment.

Thermo Fisher Scientific focuses intently on enabling customer innovation and productivity. Through its Life Sciences Solutions Group, and the strategic alliance with NUS, Thermo Fisher Scientific will broaden and deepen its research and development commitment to Singapore and the entire Asia-Pacific region. The NUS Industry Liaison Office, which is part of NUS Enterprise, facilitated this industry partnership.

“This interest and investment in NUS by Thermo Fisher Scientific is an important affirmation and validation of the value and relevance of NUS’ research and expertise to the life sciences industry and healthcare sector,” said Professor Barry Halliwell, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology).

“NUS Enterprise is delighted to be entering this collaboration with life sciences leader, Thermo Fisher Scientific. This is truly a bench-to-bedside collaboration, which will allow our NUS technologies and innovations to be translated into new health-related products, solutions and processes. This announcement is most relevant to this year’s InnovFest theme, which is ‘Asian Innovations Going Global’,” explained Dr Lily Chan, Chief Executive Officer NUS Enterprise. Held from 14 to 16 April, InnovFest (www.innovfest.sg) is NUS Enterprise’s flagship event that covers the innovation and enterprise landscape in Asia.

”To confront the challenges that society is facing, there are increased needs for promoting R&D and knowledge sharing amongst the scientific experts,” said Alan Sachs, Ph.D, Chief Scientific Officer, Life Sciences Solutions of Thermo Fisher Scientific. “This exciting academic and industry alliance with NUS will accelerate new findings from Singapore, increase innovation, and help to fulfill our company’s mission.”

“We are thrilled with this opportunity to collaborate with NUS, a stalwart scientific institution in Singapore, and further deepen our investment in and commitment to Singapore,” said Joydeep Goswami, Asia Pacific and Japan President for the Life Sciences Solutions of Thermo Fisher Scientific. “We are confident that the combination of NUS capabilities and our technical platform expertise will pave the way to shape discoveries that contribute to making people’s lives better.”