5th April 2001
BIOTECH RESEARCH VENTURES PTE. LTD.
Singapore’s first dedicated Technology Transfer Company in the biotechnology field
Today the formation of Biotech Research Ventures Pte. Ltd. (BRV), Singapore’s first dedicated Technology Transfer company in the biotechnology field was announced. BRV has been formed by the UK’s Cancer Research Ventures Ltd (CRV), the National Cancer Centre of Singapore (NCC) and Double Helix, a subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Pte Ltd and was officially launched on 29th March at a ceremony attended by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan.
Technology Transfer involves the protection of new discoveries from academic research institutes and their continued development by commercialising these discoveries. If successful, this commercial development results in financial rewards being returned to the research institute for further research in the development of new treatments. This process involves establishing collaborations between academic and commercial organisation, licensing of academic technologies to companies and the spinning out of new biotechnology companies from academic research institutes.
CRV has over 14 years experience in carrying out these technology transfer activities in the UK, including the establishment of a portfolio of quality spin-out biotechnology companies. More recently CRV has expanded its business to work with a number of research institutes throughout Europe and is seeking to expand further into Asia.
NCC is the pre-eminent cancer research institute in Singapore, combining both excellent pre-clinical research with a top class clinical programme. To ensure that these programmes are given the best opportunity to develop new diagnostics and treatments for cancer, NCC is keen to develop and provide a Technology Transfer service to its researchers.
In order to establish a Technology Transfer service at NCC, CRV and NCC have agreed to collaborate to form BRV. BRV will also form the base from which CRV will provide Technology Transfer Services not only to other research institutes in Singapore, but also where required in surrounding countries in Asia.
Singapore Technologies, through its subsidiary Double Helix, have recognised the quality and potential of the research being undertaken at NCC and also the need for such a specialised Technology Transfer company in Singapore. This has led to Singapore Technologies, through Double Helix becoming a partner in this new venture.
It is anticipated that BRV will be heavily involved in establishing and managing collaborations between academic and commercial organisations, initially from NCC. However it is likely that this relationship will extend to other research institutes in the Singapore area. BRV will be able to transfer the experience and expertise that CRV has gained over the past 14 years in the biotechnology area to accelerate the development of this specialist Technology Transfer Company in Singapore.
Notes to Editors
Cancer Research Ventures Ltd (CRV) is a technology transfer and development company established by The Cancer Research Campaign in the UK to provide technology transfer services to cancer researchers on a world wide basis. CRV, and its forerunner CRCT, have been providing these services to UK researchers since 1987 and have recently expanded the business into Europe and now further afield through its affiliate company Biotech Research Ventures in Singapore. CRV has been instrumental in establishing a number of successful biotech companies in the UK.
National Cancer Centre, Singapore (NCC) was established in 1996 as a centre of excellence for the development and delivery of first class cancer treatments to patients in the Singapore area and beyond. Together with its associated hospitals, NCC captures 55% of all cancer cases in Singapore. This provides a valuable resource for research and clinical studies. NCC recognises the importance of research to advance patient care and devotes considerable effort to basic, translational and clinical research within the Divisions of Cellular and Molecular Research, Medical Sciences and Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Studies.
Contacts
Dr Guy Heathers , Acting Chief Executive, Biotech Research Ventures Pte. Ltd - +65 436 8337, brvgph@nccs.com.sg
Dr Sarah Weir, Senior Business Manager, Cancer Research Ventures Ltd
+44 (0)20 7317 5089, sweir@cancertechnology.com
|
