SPEECH BY PROFESSOR KENNETH MAK, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE SINGAPORE CLINICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE CLINICAL TRIALS SYMPOSIUM, 30 JULY 2026

Adjunct Associate Professor Danny Soon, Chief Executive Officer, Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS) and Executive Director, Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI)

Ms Lai Wei Lin, Permanent Secretary (Policy and Development), Ministry of Health

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

1.       A very good morning to you. It is a privilege to join you today at the SCRI Clinical Trials Symposium 2026. I am honoured to be with all of you here.

Singapore as a Regional Clinical Trials Hub

2.       Singapore is a trusted hub for clinical trials in the Asia Pacific region. This is based on our distinct strengths: our strategic position at the crossroads of east and west, advanced healthcare infrastructure, a vibrant research ecosystem, and rigorous regulatory standards.

3.       Situated here at the heart of Asia, Singapore’s strategic location provides easy access to the rapidly growing markets in this region. Our multi-ethnic population adds to this advantage, offering genetic and clinical diversity, marking Singapore as a natural site for regional clinical trials.

4.       Beyond geography and demographics, our public healthcare clusters host world-class research institutes and experienced clinical trial teams across therapeutic areas, such as oncology, infectious diseases, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. More recently, we have been building capacity in emerging fields, such as precision medicine and digital health, opening new opportunities for cutting-edge studies. Singapore has also cultivated a strong pool of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in these fields – clinicians and researchers of international standing, whose expertise and networks lend further credibility to the conduct of further trials here in Singapore. Complementing these capabilities are SCRI’s multi-specialty clinical research networks. These networks support the design and conduct of high-quality trials that respond to evolving scientific and clinical needs.

5.       Underpinning all of this is Singapore's rigorous regulatory framework, developed and overseen by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), and this anchors our position as a leading clinical trials hub. The framework is benchmarked against international best practices and guidelines^[1], giving sponsors and investigators confidence that data generated here meets global standards while protecting trial participants. Coupled with streamlined processes and competitive review timelines that provide companies with the predictability needed, HSA also strengthens our ecosystem by partnering SCRI and its clinical research networks to connect clinicians, researchers, institutions and industry partners to attract more innovative products into Singapore, enabling earlier clinical development and trials, and positioning Singapore as a thriving biomedical research hub. This serves as an important launchpad for innovative products, while helping stakeholders translate cutting-edge breakthroughs into clinical treatments. 

^[1] Refers to the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines.

Sustaining Support for Clinical Trials

6.       The Ministry of Health (MOH) recognises that clinical trials can improve health outcomes, support policy-making in times of national emergencies, and provide access to innovative treatments. Let me share three examples.

7.       At the community level, the NHG Health Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial demonstrated that intensive dietary and lifestyle interventions had led to remission in 42% of participants with early type 2 diabetes at 12 months. NHG Polyclinics now runs the Remission of Diabetes (REMI-D) Programme, putting these findings into practice.

8.       At the national level, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the SCOPE and PRIBIVAC studies by the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) rapidly analysed immunogenicity data across local populations in real-time. This was instrumental in shaping national immunisation policies.

9.       At the forefront of medicine, the BELINDA study involves a novel and sophisticated treatment – Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which is used to evaluate whether this treatment can replace the traditional approach of salvage chemotherapy, followed by stem cell transplantation in patients. Hosting this trial here means that our patients with rare or difficult-to-treat conditions can now access cutting-edge treatments they might otherwise not have access to.

10.      These examples show the impact that clinical trials have. Trials come in two forms. Investigator-initiated trials (IITs) are surfaced from the ground up and they address locally relevant needs, and industry-sponsored trials (ISTs) bring scale, resources, and access to the latest therapeutics.

11.      Through the National Medical Research Council (NMRC), MOH has invested in the core capabilities and infrastructure that underpin clinical research. Under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2030 plans, we are going further – alongside continued support for clinical research, there is now dedicated funding that makes Singapore even more attractive for ISTs.

12.      This includes efforts to build trial capacity, nurture research talent, streamline administrative processes, and shorten timelines from trials to patient access. This holistic approach is made possible through the collective efforts of key stakeholders, including many of you who are with us today. SCRI has been working closely with the public healthcare clusters, relevant agencies, the industry and associations to advance and expand Singapore’s clinical trial and associated research capabilities, and to augment Singapore’s reputation as the preferred destination for efficient, high quality clinical research.

Emerging Clinical Research Trends

13.      The clinical trial ecosystem is evolving rapidly on the global stage. Traditionally, clinical trials have centred around hospitals, involving rigorous research studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new medical interventions. There is now a shift towards more flexible, patient-centric approaches driven by technological advancements, regulatory updates and remote monitoring practices that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, clinical research today is increasingly characterised by the greater use of real-world data, novel trial designs, and the application of precision medicine.

14.      SCRI is committed to keeping pace with these emerging trends and developments.  Building on Singapore’s strengths in regulation, data governance, and an integrated public healthcare system, SCRI is working with relevant stakeholders to introduce new methods and technologies into clinical trials, to enhance progression towards successful outcomes, facilitate access to innovative medicines, and to make a tangible impact on Singapore’s healthcare.

Building the Future of Health Together

15.      Clinical trials thrive on collaboration, and the best science knows no borders.  Through regional and international collaborations, we can pool resources, exchange knowledge, and collectively accelerate the development of treatments that benefit patients not just in Singapore, but around the world as well. As a small nation, international collaboration enables us to multiply the effectiveness of our clinical research through synergistic partnerships, and it positions Singapore at the forefront of global clinical research as a trusted hub.

16.      A well-connected domestic ecosystem sets the foundation for the meaningful international partnerships that are important to us. Collaboration must also continue at home. Within Singapore, the strength of our clinical research ecosystem lies in how well our hospitals, research institutions, agencies and industry work together to benefit our population. A fitting reflection of this collaborative spirit is the signing of three MOUs later today, a testament to our partners’ shared commitment to advancing clinical research, including to align efforts across the biomedical innovation ecosystem to position Singapore as a leading destination for clinical trials and health innovation.

17.      Collectively, these MOUs reflect our focus on strengthening patient-centricity in research, reducing barriers to conducting clinical research for our healthcare clusters and industry, and facilitating the exchange of best practices with our international peers.

Three Decades of Clinical Research Excellence

18.      This year also marks SCRI’s 30th anniversary. Over three decades, SCRI has grown beyond its founding role to build basic trial capabilities for our clinical researchers. Today, its remit spans the training and maintenance of clinical research coordinators; SCRI coordinates and streamlines efforts across the clusters, serving as the nexus between the industry and the clusters, and extends into value-added work such as health outcomes research – covering a wide spectrum of workstreams that transforms the way we deliver care.

19.      Congratulations to SCRI on this milestone and the important work you have done over these three decades. I wish all of you a fruitful symposium with conversations, collaborations and new ideas. May this symposium deepen partnerships and spark innovations that really benefit patients – not just in Singapore, but across the region.

20.      I wish you all an educational and impactful symposium. Thank you very much.