2 August 2004

World-renowned cancer scientist Professor Sir David Lane to head A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore

Professor Sir David Lane, the scientist credited with the landmark discovery of cancer gene p53 will join A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) as Executive Director with effect from 1 August 2004 for two years, a move that will forge a major link in biomedical sciences between Scotland and Singapore. Director of the Cancer Research UK Cell Transformation Research Group and Professor of Oncology at the University of Dundee in Scotland, Sir David will maintain his connection with Dundee and take up his position in Singapore on a two-years sabbatical basis.

The second most highly cited medical scientist in the UK in the last decade, Sir David, age 52, has won many international prizes and is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). He is also a Fellow of UK’s premier academy, the Royal Society; the Royal Society of Edinburgh; the Royal College of Pathologists and the Academy of Medical Sciences. For his contributions to cancer research, Prof Lane was knighted at Buckingham Palace on 24th October 2000.

Prof Sir David Lane is also the founder of Cyclacel Ltd (www.cyclacel.com), the Dundee based biopharmaceutical company. Cyclacel’s lead drug candidate, CYC202, is the only orally available CDK inhibitor drug candidate currently in Phase 11 clinical trials. CDK inhibitors work by inducing suicide death of cancer cells through mechanisms that are thought to be part of the p53 pathway. CYC202 is being tested in patients with blood or lung cancer. Sir David will continue to work with Cyclacel as Chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board and as a Non-Executive director while in Singapore.

Also joining him in Singapore will be Sir David's wife, Professor Birgitte Lane, an eminent scientist in her own right, at the University of Dundee. Prof Birgitte Lane's research interests are in skin cells. In the early 1990s, her research team was one of the first to identify a critical link between mutations in keratin genes and cell fragility in skin cells, which was a turning point that led to many discoveries on the genetic basis of skin disorders. For the duration of their stay, Prof Birgitte Lane will assume the position of independent principal investigator at the Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM) to further her research work, which is currently focused on how epithelial cells respond to stress.

p53, "the tumour suppressor gene" Sir David's description of the p53 gene - "p" for protein and "532 for its molecular weight, was published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature in 1979. Named "Molecule of the Year" in 1993 by the prestigious journal Science, p53 is sometimes called "the guardian of the genome" and is considered the most significant of all the genes altered in cancer cells because mutations of the gene are known to cause almost 50% of all human cancers, including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, liver, prostrate, bladder and skin.

Acknowledged as a key contributor to the p53 field, Sir David has spent more than two decades studying the cancer gene and brought it all the way from basic research to clinical application since his original discovery. More recently, Sir David's research work has been dedicated to finding ways of using the p53 system to develop new treatments for cancer.

About IMCB

One of 12 research institutes of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), IMCB has built up a world-class reputation for research in biological and biomedical sciences. The Institute was established in 1987 with fewer than 40 scientists and has since grown to a staff of more than 500 including 35 principal investigators. Key research areas include cell biology, developmental and structural biology, infectious diseases and cancer biology.

Sir David has served as Chairman of IMCB's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) since April 2002. Together with other eminent members of the SAB, Sir David has provided IMCB and A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council with invaluable insight and research direction in the rapidly advancing field of molecular and cell biology.

The Chairman of A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council, Nobel laureate Dr Sydney Brenner, who was instrumental in setting up IMCB in 1987, said, "Sir David joins IMCB at a very opportune time. IMCB was Singapore's first biomedical research institute and, over the years, it has established modern biology in Singapore and has gained international recognition. With a new Executive Director and a new home at the Biopolis, IMCB will be embarking on an exciting new phase of growth, seizing new opportunities in basic research which will underpin the applications of new knowledge to medicine."

"IMCB's research areas closely match those of the University of Dundee where international research excellence in life sciences has spawned a substantial biotechnology cluster employing some 2,500 people and accounting for 14% of the local economy," said Prof Sir David Lane.

"I am very excited about my move to Singapore. IMCB is an outstanding international institute now established at the heart of Biopolis that will promote interactions with scientists in many different disciplines. The chance to translate basic biological science into new technologies and new medicines in such an integrated environment is wonderful. I am very impressed by Singapore’s commitment to be the best and to create something unique. I look forward to working with Sydney and Prof Kong to realize the vision of Singapore as a world centre for innovation in the Life Sciences"

Vice Principal of the University of Dundee Professor David Boxer said, "This is an exciting opportunity to enhance links between Scotland's science and the important South East Asian market. To continue to succeed, Scotland must be a globally connected nation trading knowledge with key markets and exploiting Scotland's excellence in major clusters such as life sciences.

While in Singapore Sir David will maintain his University of Dundee links and his research team will continue under his direction collaborating through frequent visits and interactive media."

Welcome to Biopolis

With his new IMCB sabbatical appointment, Sir David joins other prominent cancer scientists who have made their home at the Biopolis. These include German scientist Dr Axel Ullrich, who has just arrived in Singapore to lead a joint research programme between A*STAR and the Max Planck Society; formerly US-based Professor Edison Liu, a leading breast cancer researcher in his own right and currently the executive director of the Genome Institute of Singapore; and Japanese cancer researcher Professor Yoshiaki Ito, an expert on RUNX genes, a major tumour suppressor of gastric cancer.

Extending a warm welcome, Mr Philip Yeo, Chairman of A*STAR said, "Sir David's experience and expertise will be invaluable to Singapore’s efforts translate scientific research into clinical practice and industrial application. The international links he brings with him will no doubt further extend and strengthen the global network of the scientists in Singapore and add to the vibrancy of the growing research community at the Biopolis, where public and private labs are co-located to provide maximum opportunities for mingling and interaction."

Media contacts:

University of Dundee
Angela Durcan Press Officer University of Dundee
Mobile 07818 040426
Tel: 0044 (0)1382 344768
press@dundee.ac.uk

Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Geraldine Wang
Senior Officer, Corporate Communications
Tel: (65) 68266 343
Email: Geraldine_Wang@a-star.edu.sg

Notes to the editor:

About the University of Dundee:

The University of Dundee has a world reputation for biomedical and life sciences including research into cancer, diabetes and malaria, and drug development associated with treating diseases. Scientists have been drawn from over 50 countries to the research teams operating out of Ninewells Hospital and Medical School and the Wellcome Trust Biocentre. A £20m Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, due for completion in 2005, will house 180 scientists recruited internationally to join teams researching diabetes and malaria. www.dundee.ac.uk

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR):

(www.a-star.edu.sg)

A*STAR's mission is to foster world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore. The agency comprises the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC), the Corporate Planning and Administration Division (CPAD), the A*STAR Graduate Academy (A*GA) and a commercialisation arm, Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (ETPL). The two research councils fund and oversee 12 public research institutes in areas such as bioinformatics, genomics, molecular biology, bioengineering, bioprocessing technology, chemical sciences, materials, high performance computing, information technology and communications, manufacturing technology, microelectronics and data storage.

About the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB):

(www.imcb.a-star.edu.sg)

The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Established in 1987, the research institute’s mission is to foster a vibrant research culture for biomedical sciences and high quality manpower training to facilitate development of the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries in Singapore. Key research areas include cell, developmental and structural biology, infectious diseases and cancer biology.

About Cyclacel:

Cyclacel is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel, mechanism-targeted drugs to treat human cancers and other serious disorders. The Company's core areas of expertise are in cell cycle biology, the series of biological processes controlling cell division and growth, and the use of biomarkers in clinical trials. Cyclacel’s current pipeline comprises nine novel drug series: seven for cancer, one for HIV/AIDS and one for Type 2 Diabetes. Cyclacel's lead drug candidate CUC202, is the only orally available CDK inhibitor drug candidate currently in Phase 11 clinical trials. CYC202 is being tested in patients with blood or lung cancer. Cyclacel’s second drug candidate, CYC682 is an orally available nucleoside analogue in Phase 1b clinical trials for the treatment of patients with advanced cancers.

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk