GlaxoSmithKline and A*STAR's Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) have signed a five-year strategic agreement to develop new evidence based formulations (EBFs) specifically for emerging markets. EBFs are medicines which are reformulated to provide additional patient benefit.

ICES has a long standing relationship with GSK since 2003, and the development of EBFs will further strengthen the relationship between both parties. The collaboration leverages on ICES' strengths and expertise in synthesis, formulation and process development, as well as GSK's vast experience in drug candidate selection, optimization, and product development in novel formulations. The collaboration will enhance ICES' technical expertise and know-how in drug product formulation, analytical techniques, development and scale up. It will develop a pool of local expertise in specialized formulation for pharmaceutical development in Singapore.

"Collaborating with GSK, a global leader in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, provides an opportunity for us to further our research and deepen our capabilities in formulation science with skilled scientists and technical expertise,” said Dr. Keith Carpenter, executive director of ICES. “This venture will enable us to develop future scientists and laboratory analysts with the right skills to grow this industry in Singapore.”

Duncan McKay, vice president of emerging markets and Asia Pacific R&D, GSK, said, “This agreement with ICES is perfectly aligned with GSK's strategic priority of growing a diversified global business, whilst bringing affordable, quality GSK medicines of value to more people who need them. Within GSK's portfolio of off-patent products, EBFs are an important part of our growth strategy, and our hope is that together with ICES we will create a sustainable, scalable model to meet both specific market conditions and patient requirements.”