This press release was issued by Consortium of Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS).
The Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI) today convened its Clinical Trials Symposium 2026, bringing together leading minds from Singapore and across the international clinical research community to chart the next chapter of clinical trials here and beyond. The Symposium, which also marks the 30th anniversary of SCRI, highlighting Singapore's commitment to advancing clinical research through international collaboration, technological innovation, and greater public participation.
A Milestone Year for SCRI
This year's Symposium carries special significance as SCRI celebrates its 30th anniversary — three decades of contributing to Singapore's clinical research capabilities and its growth into a trusted hub for medical research and innovation. The occasion was graced by Guest of Honour, Professor Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Health, Ministry of Health.
Global Regulators Converge on Technology, Data and the Future of Clinical Research
In the opening plenary panel, three prominent regulatory leaders — Dr Robert Califf, the former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Ms Emer Cooke, the Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA); and Adjunct Professor (Dr) Raymond Chua, the Chief Executive Officer of Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA)— came together to examine how new technologies and modalities are transforming the design and conduct of clinical trials in a fast-paced and ever-changing landscape.
Moderated by Professor John Lim, Professor & Executive Director, Centre of Regulatory Excellence (CoRE), Duke-NUS, the discussion explored the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies present for regulators, researchers, and patients alike. Panellists also delved into the growing role of artificial intelligence in informing regulatory decisions, and what it would take to make Singapore a more attractive destination for clinical trials. Together, these conversations pointed to what a future-ready regulatory framework might look like in an era of rapidly evolving innovation.
Three MOUs to Advance Singapore's Clinical Trials Ecosystem
As part of the Symposium, SCRI and its parent company, the Consortium of Clinical Research and Innovation (CRIS), signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with eight key public and private sector partners, strengthening Singapore's standing as a leading destination for clinical trials. The agreements span a range of priorities: including deepening patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in research; enabling early access to trials of novel modalities in Singapore and forging strategic industry partnerships to attract cutting-edge clinical research, accelerate the development of innovative therapies, and strengthen Singapore's position as a globally connected clinical research and innovation hub.
MOU 1: Between CRIS and Nanyang Technological University Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (NTU LKCMedicine) for Patient and Public Involvement Engagement (PPIE)
CRIS and the Office of Patient Engagement (OPEN) at NTU LKCMedicine have partnered to co-develop Singapore's first National Guidance Document for Patient and Public Involvement in Health Research. This partnership has brought together six patient partners and 23 researchers, clinicians and healthcare professionals, to ensure that health research and innovation truly reflect the needs of the communities they serve. As part of the initial groundwork, the team has created a roadmap, identifying key cultural, regulatory and systemic priorities for this Singapore-specific resource, which will be developed over two years.
To access the roadmap, visit Roadmap for a National Guidance Document for Patient and Public Involvement in medical research, including clinical trials, in Singapore
MOU 2: Between AstraZeneca (AZ), CRIS, NHG Health, National University Health System (NUHS) and SingHealth on Advancing Innovative Clinical Trials in Singapore
AZ, CRIS, NHG Health, NUHS, and SingHealth are collaborating to advance Singapore's clinical research footprint and early access for novel modalities. Under this partnership, AZ aims to bring early and late phase innovative trials, spanning antibody-drug conjugates, cell and gene therapies, radioconjugates, bispecific antibodies and more over five years. Together, the parties will work towards streamlining study start-up processes, shorten regulatory timelines, and establish coordinated working structures that support efficient trial delivery.
MOU 3: Between Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), Economic Development Board (EDB), SCRI, Health Sciences Authority (HSA), NHG Health, National University HealthSystem (NUHS) and SingHealth on Catalysing Clinical Trials Excellence: A National Partnership to Advance Singapore’s Clinical Trials Ecosystem
EnterpriseSG, EDB, SCRI, HSA, NHG Health, NUHS and SingHealth are collaborating to support healthcare innovations that will accelerate clinical trials for sponsors, which includes local and global biomedical and biopharmaceutical companies, in Singapore. This five-year MOU will benefit patients and strengthen Singapore’s position as a biomedical innovation hub and a preferred destination for clinical trials.
There are two key areas of collaboration under the MOU:
1. Integrated clinical trial concierge service
SCRI and HSA will jointly establish and operate an integrated clinical trial concierge service that provides sponsors with a coordinated entry point into Singapore’s clinical research and regulatory ecosystem. The service will help companies navigate Singapore’s end-to-end clinical trial pathway by providing coordinated access to the relevant agencies, healthcare institutions and ecosystem partners, from early study planning and trial set-up through to regulatory requirements and downstream product development considerations. By connecting partners, improving predictability and accelerating study start-up, the initiative will strengthen Singapore’s value proposition as a preferred destination for innovative clinical research, global clinical development and next-generation therapies.
2. Enhanced support of strategic industry-sponsored trials
EnterpriseSG, EDB, NHG Health, NUHS and SingHealth will increase their support for strategic industry-sponsored clinical trials that align with healthcare and biomedical innovation goals. Such support includes the allocation of institutional resources, clinical expertise and operational support to reduce bottlenecks, where applicable, by public healthcare clusters - NHG Health, NUHS and SingHealth.
Voices that Matter: Patient Advocates in Clinical Research
At the heart of every clinical trial is the patient — and yet, many in Singapore have never participated in one, often due to limited awareness of how trials work or how to find out about available opportunities. Recognising that greater awareness and accessibility are key to participation, the Symposium brought together Singapore clinical experts and a patient ambassador to speak candidly about the myths surrounding clinical trials, the barriers patients face, and why diverse public participation is essential to medical progress.
Among those voices was Ms Wendy Loo, a two-time clinical trial participant turned ambassador with Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and ESTHER Network Singapore. She shared her personal journey — from anxiety and the "guinea pig" stigma she encountered from friends and family, to discovering in Assoc Prof George Goh and his team at SGH’s Clinical Trials Research Centre, a partnership built on empathy and trust that ultimately led her to become a Clinical Trial Ambassador Programme (CTAP) ambassador. "I hope my involvement in clinical trials today, both as a patient and ambassador, will contribute to advancing medical research, and thus pave the way to benefit countless others in the future," she said.
This spirit of building trust in clinical research also underpinned another significant milestone at the Symposium. CRIS and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) are co-developing the first National Guidance Document for Patient and Public Involvement in Health Research.
One of the voices shaping the Document is Ms Evelyn Yeo, 49, a patient partner at LKCMedicine and former MedTech professional, who is part of the Document’s development team. Drawing on her nearly a decade of navigating the healthcare system alongside her father, who lives with dementia and Parkinson's Disease, Evelyn brings the often-overlooked voice of the caregiver.
Together, Wendy and Evelyn’s stories illuminate why building public trust in clinical research is not just a policy priority — it is a deeply human one.
