3 Singapore projects receive $3.7m grant to advance medical research

These initiatives focus on maternal and child health, as well as cardiology.

Three research projects in Singapore have received a grant of up to $3.7m (S$5m) per year from the Tanoto Foundation’s Medical Research Fund (MRF) to advance research in cardiology and maternal and child health.

The research projects were announced during the foundation’s first Medical Philanthropy Forum.

One of the projects involves a team led by Associate Professor Rinkoo Dalan of Tan Tock Seng Hospital who aims to generate evidence contributing towards a low-cost solution to manage and lower cardiovascular risks in type two diabetes patients. 

Meanwhile, research led by Brian Kennedy, a professor at the National University of Singapore, will delve towards understanding maternal fertility decline due to ovarian ageing for safer and more effective reproductive interventions.

Furthermore, a study by Associate Professor Ashley St John from Duke-NUS Medical School will focus on the investigation of allergic disease transmission from mother to offspring during pregnancy to understand the risk and long-term consequences of childhood allergies.

These proposals were given funding based on specific criteria, namely potential for impact, the robustness of the approach, the study team’s track record, and collaboration strength.

"Tanoto Foundation was founded based on the belief that everyone has the right to maximise his or her full potential,” Tanoto Foundation Executive Advisor, Bey Soo Khiang, said.

“Our grant of $3.7m (S$5m) per year will contribute to the advancement of new medical solutions and improve population health in Singapore,” Bey added.

S$1 = $0.74