Speech by SMS Low Yen Ling at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Skin Research Institute of Singapore

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Evening

Welcome Remarks

1. I am delighted to be here tonight to celebrate an important milestone in the journey of the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS).

2. When SRIS was first established ten years ago in 2013 by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), National Healthcare Group (NHG), and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU), the founding organisations saw the power of using newfound knowledge of the skin as a window into one’s health and well-being. The skin is the biggest organ of our body, and within it lies tremendous potential.

3. Today, SRIS, as the regional research centre in skin health, brings together scientists, engineers and clinicians in a unique multidisciplinary setting to tackle skin issues and improve skin health.

4. Skin conditions affect about 1.8 billion people worldwide^[1]. In Singapore, NHG’s National Skin Centre (NSC) manages more than 1,000 patient visits every working day, or 280,000 visits annually. Skin conditions such as eczema are highly prevalent and affect up to 20% of children in Singapore. Tonight, I wish to share three key areas vital to SRIS’s next lap in pioneering skin research and innovation.

Building on our strengths

5. First, let us continue to build upon our strengths to achieve impactful outcomes, particularly in areas where Singapore has a unique advantage. For example, Singapore is well-positioned to lead in Asian-specific skin research due to its multi-racial population, which represents the major Asian ethnic groups. This diversity provides a valuable opportunity for SRIS to be a leader in researching skin conditions prevalent in Asian populations, which have been underrepresented in global dermatological studies.

6. SRIS has made significant contributions to dermatological research by focusing on developing unique resources and technologies for the Asian phenotype and skin diseases prevalent in Asians. For instance:

a. The Asian Skin Biobank in SRIS hosts an extensive collection of cryopreserved skin cells and tissue derived from Singapore donors of varying Asian ethnicities, ages, and other characteristics. The ASB has allowed researchers to develop sophisticated and highly customised skin models. This furthers our understanding of Asian skin and disease mechanisms and enables the development of new therapeutics.

b. SRIS has also developed the Asian Skin Microbiome Programme, which systematically profiled the skin microbiome of more than 2,000 Singaporeans with healthy and diseased skin. This programme has provided new insights into how the skin microbiome affects skin health in the context of Asian populations.

7. Another example of impactful and novel solutions that SRIS has developed is the Wound Care Innovation for the Tropics (WCIT) programme.

a. Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, are a global concern. In Singapore, four lower limb amputations occur daily due to diabetic foot ulcers. The Singapore Wound Registry, under the WCIT Programme, collects data on chronic wounds in Asians, which can lead to improved wound care strategies in Singapore. A pilot programme in interdisciplinary wound care, which expanded with the support of WCIT, reduced major amputations by two-thirds at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

8. Another example of impactful R&D is the advanced 3D skin imaging technologies developed by SRIS that have transformed the diagnosis and management of inflammatory skin diseases and skin tumours. These non-invasive tools enable detailed visualisation for more precise assessment, leading to more accurate diagnosis, better treatment planning, and improved patient outcomes. Today, patients of NSC who could have basal cell carcinoma can now be diagnosed through these tools without having to undergo skin biopsy. This pain-free method facilitates timely disease management and is more cost-effective. Since 2015 to 2022, more than 2,100 patients and 3,700 lesions have been scanned using 3D imaging.

Deepening industry collaborations to accelerate R&D translation

9. For the next lap, a critical area that SRIS must strengthen further is deeper industry collaborations to accelerate the translation of research into commercially viable solutions.  The SRIS partnership comprising A*STAR, NHG and NTU presents tremendous opportunities and diverse networks.

10. According to the National Survey of Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2021, the last decade saw Business Enterprise Expenditure on R&D for Consumer Care double from $100 million to $200 million and new multi-national corporation R&D centres were established. Over the same period, some 400 R&D jobs were created in the sector, and numerous R&D collaborations with SRIS, its partners and the broader ecosystem were seeded.

11. One example of such collaboration is with P&G, which established its P&G Singapore Innovation Centre in 2014. Olay’s ‘Cellscience’ series of products were created from sophisticated assays developed through collaborations between P&G and SRIS.

12. Another global brand, L’Oréal, established a joint lab with NTU’s Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) to study the skin and scalp microbiome. L’Oreal is expected to develop innovative products to maintain healthy skin and scalp.

13. Besides MNCs, local companies have also formed valuable partnerships with SRIS. A local consumer health company, Good Pharma Dermatology, has licensed Suu Balm, a range of quick itch relief moisturisers developed by NSC. Over ten products under the Suu Balm range are now sold across 15 countries worldwide.

14. The success of these innovations and industry collaborations underscores the importance of partnerships and cooperation. I encourage you to continue exploring ways to leverage SRIS’s strong R&D capabilities for meaningful industry collaborations and successfully translate R&D from bench to bedside.

Training and attracting talent for a world-class research institute

15. Finally, the third vital area that SRIS must always focus on is training and attracting talent to support and advance its qualities as a world-class research institute.

16. All the success stories I have mentioned so far directly result from the exceptional talents within SRIS. Over the last decade, SRIS has benefitted from the guidance of visionary leaders, from Founding Executive Director Professor Birgit Lane to the current Executive Director Professor Rachel Watson. They have charted a course for SRIS’ enduring success.

17. While their visionary leadership forms the foundation for success, SRIS's formidable strength lies in the talent and dedication of staff at every level. The tireless effort and expertise of research groups in the Asian Skin Biobank, Asian Skin Microbiome Programme, WCIT, 3D skin imaging, and many other programmes and projects have produced the tangible results we see today.

18. Investing in attracting and developing talent is critical to staying in the lead. SRIS has the unparalleled advantage of tapping into the unique capabilities of each partner—A*STAR, NHG, and NTU—to train well-rounded talents who will be the driving force behind SRIS's future.

Closing

19. Congratulations to SRIS, its partners, dedicated staff, researchers, scientists and clinicians.

20. I wish you every success in pushing the boundaries of skin research, May SRIS fly the Singapore flag high! May you chart the next lap with more exciting discoveries and innovations that thrill the world and advance people’s health. Happy 10^th anniversary! Thank you.

[1] Figure from article “WHO’s first global meeting on skin NTDS calls for greater efforts to address their burden” published by the World Health Organisation (WHO).