Singapore Attracts Biomedical Science Companies

Global biomedical sciences companies have strengthened their partnerships with Singapore to address the industry's challenges in 2009. Last year, Singapore's biomedical manufacturing output grew to about S$21 billion (US$15 billion) and employed more than 13,000 people. Output is expected to grow to S$25 billion (US$18 billion) by 2015.

"The global biomedical sciences industry is confronted with the need to improve R&D productivity. At the same time, they need to navigate Asia's complexities and diversity to effectively tap into the region's fast-growing markets. As Asia's leading bio-cluster, Singapore is well-positioned to help biomedical sciences companies accelerate their innovation and capitalize on Asia's growth," said Julian Ho, assistant MD, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

In 2009, global biomedical sciences companies located strategic functions in Singapore that include regional headquarters (eg, Medtronic, Quintiles, Takeda), first-in-Asia and global manufacturing facilities (eg, GlaxoSmithKline, Illumina, Lonza, Medtronic, ResMed, Roche) and R&D bases in Asia (eg, Abbott, 3M, Merck, Roche, Inviragen, Forma).

Biomedical sciences investments amounted to S$1.2 billion (US$0.86 billion) in total fixed asset investment and S$700 million (US$502 million) in total business spending in 2009. When fully implemented, they will create more than 1,600 jobs for professionals, managers, engineers, research scientists and engineers, and skilled workers. The investments will also contribute S$1.3 billion (US$0.93 billion) in value-added per annum.

"Biomedical companies see Asia as a resource and a growing market. When we started Biopolis, we planned to develop it in five phases. We are now building Biopolis Three, which we expect will be completed before the end of the year. We are working with JTC to determine if it is time to commence the next phase. In terms of manufacturing, we have set aside 360 ha of land in Tuas," says Beh Kian Teik, director, Biomedical Sciences, EDB.