Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited announced that it has formally opened its advanced centralised Research & Development Centre in Singapore, operating through its fully owned subsidiary VALLAURIX Pte Ltd. The new laboratories will expedite ongoing projects and greatly increase the research and development capacity of the VALLAURIX team. The construction of the facilities commenced in 2019 but incurred a delay of four months, owing to the governmental circuit breaker put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Upon final regulatory inspections and certification, the laboratories will operate according to Good Laboratory Practice and under ISO 17025. VALLAURIX SINGAPORE - OBJECTIVES: CLINUVEL has developed and commercialised its novel pharmaceutical, SCENESSE®, containing the first-generation melanocortin drug afamelanotide, and is actively expanding its development pipeline through VALLAURIX. The Company opened the first VALLAURIX facility in Singapore in 2014, with an emphasis on experimental and analytical output, including developing novel products and melanocortins. Initial research years focussed on early discovery, in vitro testing, and analyses of new molecules, not limited to over-the-counter (OTC) products for medicinal and general public use. The liquid injectable formulations of afamelanotide (PRÉNUMBRA®), developed in the VALLAURIX lab, were announced in July 2020 and will be assessed in the clinic for acute conditions. VALLAURIX has followed a staged expansion as the knowledge and capacity of its research teams grows. Among multiple parallel projects the short-term R&D and commercial objectives are planned in three stages: Pilot launch OTC product line to target groups; PRÉNUMBRA® - stability data; commissioned manufacturing for PRÉNUMBRA®; and Formulation of second-generation melanocortins, including: CUV9900, phimelanotide and parvysmelanotide. FUNCTIONS OF VALLAURIX SINGAPORE: CLINUVEL is affirming its focus on key areas such as molecular profiling, peptide chemistry and polymer science. The VALLAURIX facilities in Singapore comprise analytical and biological laboratories. Among the key functions are Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science, Regulatory Chemistry-Manufacturing-Control (CMC), Quality Assurance, Good Laboratory Practice, Informatics and Computational Modelling, Pharmaceutical and Formulation Science, Analytical Sciences, Comparative Medicine and ASEAN Regulatory Affairs. The biological lab capabilities include the conduct of ex vivo experiments and bioassays and studies on fresh biological and tissue cultures.