Yinson made a pledge in 2021 to contribute a total of SGD1.5 million over the next 10 years to the National Cancer Centre Singapore (“NCCS”) to support its efforts to advance the progress of lung cancer research, equip the next generation of lung cancer specialists in Asia and improve treatment outcomes amongst lung cancer patients, beginning with Singapore and eventually Southeast Asia. The pledge by Yinson will achieve three main desired outcomes which are supporting regional cross-training opportunities, building capacity in clinical training and education, and advancing translational research with a focus in Asian ethnicity.

The 2022 year will mark the second year of our pledge, with funds already disbursed towards sponsoring the training and research efforts of two talented individuals through NCCS’ Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Fellowship, funded by the centre’s Lung Cancer Training Fund. Fellows will undergo a one-year hands-on programme which provides training on the key principles in evaluating, consultations and managing patients. Fellows would also have the opportunity to learn from other practising physicians, staff and support personnel through information sharing and didactic lectures.

Through Yinson’s contribution, the NCCS was able to welcome Dr. Daniel Ang Jia Ming and Dr. David Lee Dai Wee into fellowship. Dr Ang is a medical officer in the medical oncology division at NCSS, while Dr Lee is a registrar in clinical oncology at University of Malaya. The two selected fellows will be trained in all aspects of early phase clinical trial management, including Good Clinical Practice Guidelines, protocol development, administrative aspects and regular interactions with regional and international investigators and pharmaceutical companies.

Looking ahead, NCCS aims to develop a well-structured curriculum to enhance the learning and development of future fellows, with the support from the training fund. NCSS will continue to recruit and mentor new talented fellows through the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Fellowship programme.