This is a National Medical Research Council (NMRC)-funded project between Temasek Applied Science School and the Department of Pharmacology, NUS.

Ribavirin is a nucleoside drug that interferes with viral replication and is currently used as a treatment against hepatitis C virus. Ribavirin is administered orally and its uptake by the body may be influenced by many factors such as food.

This clinical study will ascertain the effects of purine levels in food on the intestinal uptake of orally-administered ribavirin in healthy human subjects. Blood collected from these health subjects will be analysed for Ribavirin levels using Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).

With its technical expertise in LC-MS, the Temasek Applied Science School is strongly positioned for greater involvement in collaborative pharmacokinetic studies with drug companies, hospitals and research institutions.