A*STAR IDL and Institut Pasteur team up to combat tropical infectious diseases

The partnership will focus on three key areas.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research Infectious Diseases Lab (A*STAR IDL) and France’s Institut Pasteur have signed a memorandum of understanding to combat tropical infectious diseases (ID) in Asia Pacific.

The collaboration aims to enhance health outcomes by combining Institut Pasteur’s microbiological expertise and extensive network of institutes with A*STAR IDL’s strengths in ID detection and prevention technologies.

The partnership will focus on respiratory diseases, vector-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Both parties plan to pursue joint grant applications, host workshops and symposiums, and develop a talent pipeline through training initiatives.

Asia Pacific faces significant risks from ID due to high biodiversity, dense populations, and environmental changes, resulting in prevalent cases of dengue and malaria. In 2023, over 500,000 dengue cases were reported in the Western Pacific.

Minh-di Tang, French ambassador to Singapore, said this partnership aligns with broader health cooperation goals outlined in the France-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee on Science and Innovation. 

In October 2023, both countries signed agreements on artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, sustainability, quantum technologies, and healthcare.