Advancing Global Microbiology Standards: CoRE-SDO Hosts the 26th ISO/TC 212/WG 4 Meeting in Singapore

Published on

November 17, 2024

Singapore recently became the epicenter of microbiology innovation and collaboration as CoRE-SDO (Centre of Regulatory Excellence – Standards Development Organisation) hosted the 26th ISO/TC 212/WG 4 meeting from 11 to 13 November 2024. This hybrid event, held at the Raffles City Convention Centre (RCCC) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), brought together 51 international experts across 17 countries to advance standards for clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems, with a focus on microbiology and molecular diagnostics.

Warm Welcome and Singapore’s Role in Standardisation

*Dr Uwe Oelmueller, Convenor of ISO/TC 212/WG 4 delivering opening address*

*Ms Yang Fan, Head of CoRE-SDO, giving welcome speech*

The meeting opened with a warm welcome by Ms Yang Fan, Head of CoRE-SDO, who greeted WG4 members at RCCC. She provided an insightful introduction to Singapore’s standardisation program, explaining the structure of CoRE-SDO and the Biomedical and Health Standards Committee (BHSC).

*Mr Aik Lam Khor, Director of the Standards Division at EnterpriseSG, giving welcome address at the Welcome Dinner*

*Dr Yong Chern Chet, Chair of the BHSC, delivering welcome address at the Welcome Dinner*

On the evening of Day 1, CoRE-SDO hosted a welcome dinner fostering interaction and dialogue. Mr Aik Lam Khor, Director of the Standards Division at EnterpriseSG, and Dr Yong Chern Chet, Chair of the BHSC, delivered engaging speeches, emphasising the importance of international collaboration in shaping healthcare standards. The dinner also featured participation from local biotech start-up MiRXES, promoting networking and partnerships. Guests enjoyed renowned local cuisine and meaningful exchanges, reflecting a spirit of camaraderie.

Key Achievements and Milestones

Over the three days, the packed agenda included updates on susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostic workflows, pathogen surveillance, and AI-driven digital pathology. Discussions reflected the dynamic convergence of technology and healthcare, with projects advancing the development of multiplex molecular testing standards.

*Dr Yiu-Lian Fong, Senior Scientific Advisor at MiRXES, presenting NGS standard proposal*

The Singapore delegation, led by Dr Yiu-Lian Fong, Senior Scientific Advisor at MiRXES, and Dr Adrian Yeo, Chair of Technical Committee for Biotechnology and Laboratory Testing (TC-BTLT) and Convener of NMWG for ISO/TC 212 for Singapore, presented a revised proposal for a new international standard titled “Design and Workflow Requirements for NGS-based Oncology Applications.” This proposal received unanimous endorsement from the ISO Working Group, marking a significant milestone in advancing this critical standard.

Singapore’s Vision for Precision Medicine

*Ms Celine Tan, Deputy Director of the Standards Division, introducing Singapore’s quality and excellence ecosystem*

Day 3 saw the meeting hosted by CoRE-SDO and the Singapore Standards Council (SSC) at EnterpriseSG, where Ms Celine Tan, Deputy Director of the Standards Division, introduced Singapore’s quality and excellence ecosystem. She highlighted the SSC’s mission to drive innovation and develop standards in precision medicine, introducing the local industry landscape and advocating for deeper multinational and multiregional collaboration in global healthcare standardisation.

Looking Ahead

The meeting concluded with actionable recommendations for ISO/TC 212 and new project proposals, signalling the WG’s commitment to addressing global health challenges and promoting technological innovation.

CoRE-SDO takes pride in hosting this pivotal event, which not only solidifies Singapore’s role as a leader in healthcare standards development but also demonstrates its commitment to advancing diagnostics and precision medicine for a healthier future.