About Us

The Academic Respiratory Initiative for Pulmonary Health (TARIPH) Centre for Respiratory Research Excellence is a research centre established by LKCMedicine that focuses on improving the lung health of Singaporeans. Started as a research initiative, The Academic Respiratory Initiative for Pulmonary Health (TARIPH), was launched on 19 March 2018 by Associate Professor Benjamin Ong (Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health) at the 2nd International Symposium on Respiratory Research. It has since evolved into a Centre for Respiratory Research Excellence. The Centre was officially launched on 20 September 2023 with Mr Heng Swee Keat (Deputy Prime Minister) as the Guest-of Honour. TARIPH aims to align strategic academic expertise across Singapore in a formal way to benefit Singaporeans living with lung disease through research. By improving our understanding of factors causing our national respiratory disease burden through partnerships with patients, we can assess preventative measures and optimal modes of treatment delivery through research.

Respiratory disease is a key contributor to disease burden in Singapore. We have one of the fastest ageing populations and a significant proportion of non-smoking related lung disease. Our major chronic respiratory diseases - asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - illustrate unique endo-phenotypes that require dedicated focus and research.