$130m RNA research programme launched to fight disease

It will formally study applications of RNA in vaccine development, among other things

- Zachary Lim

A new programme has been launched in Singapore to formally study the applications of ribonucleic acid (RNA) in vaccine development, as well as in disease therapy and prevention, to deepen Singapore's competitive edge in the emerging space.

The seven-year $130 million programme — dubbed the National Initiative for RNA Biology and Its Applications (Nirba) — is backed by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Announcing its launch on March 24 at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said: "RNA biology and its applications are an important domain in foundational research."

DPM Heng, who is also chairman of the NRF, said Singapore's experience with Covid-19 demonstrated that the rapid development and deployment of mRNA vaccines saved countless lives.

"Since then, the number of potential therapies and applications tapping RNA technology has grown significantly," he said, adding that RNA-based therapies are being tested to tackle a wider range of ailments, including cancers and metabolic diseases.

As at end-2023, at least 25 RNA-based therapies had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to target infectious diseases, rare genetic diseases and high cholesterol, DPM Heng said.

More than 125 such therapies are also undergoing clinical trials to target cardio-metabolic and neurological diseases as well as cancer, he added.

RNA molecules — present in all living organisms and in many viruses — serve as vital messengers that translate genetic information into proteins, driving the biological processes essential to life.