Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat emphasizes the transformative role of clinical trials in healthcare at the SCRI Clinical Trials Symposium 2024.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat delivered a keynote address at the Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI) Clinical Trials Symposium 2024 on July 30, 2024. The event brought together over 500 clinicians, researchers, academics, healthcare leaders, and industry experts to discuss the impact of clinical trials on healthcare outcomes.
DPM Heng congratulated SCRI for organizing the inaugural symposium and welcomed participants from across Asia, Australia, the US, and Europe. He highlighted the importance of clinical trials in providing new treatment methods, facilitating safe healthcare innovations, and building public trust in healthcare systems.
Reflecting on Singapore’s early investment in biomedical research capabilities, DPM Heng praised SCRI for overseeing numerous clinical research projects, including the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial and a collaboration on metastatic breast cancer treatment. He underscored the importance of clinical trials in addressing global healthcare challenges and the need for upstream prevention, health-tech innovations, and sustainable healthcare systems.
DPM Heng announced the launch of ClinicalTrials.SG (CTSG), a centralized portal aimed at driving clinical research excellence in Singapore. CTSG will educate patients and caregivers about clinical trials, foster collaboration among clinical research professionals, and advance research efforts by providing detailed regulatory and ethical insights.
DPM Heng emphasized the role of collaboration in achieving impactful clinical research and invited global partners to strengthen ties with SCRI and Singapore’s biomedical ecosystem. He concluded by urging stakeholders to seize current opportunities to advance clinical research and create a healthier future for Singapore, Asia, and the world.
Source – PMO
