Singapore Undertakes Major Biomedical Expansion

The government of Singapore has committed a budget of almost U.S.$8 billion to strengthen the country's research and development capabilities, with the key focus on the biomedical sciences.

Singapore has already developed world-class capabilities in drug discovery, product development, clinical research, manufacturing, and healthcare delivery. In a 2006 study conducted by an industry analyst, Singapore was found to have the lowest cost structure for biomedical R&D, clinical trials, and pharmaceutical and medical devices manufacturing, compared to companies in the nine leading industrialized countries in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Now, Singapore's vibrant international research community, excellent science, strong intellectual property rights protection and pro-business regulatory infrastructure are key factors that attract multi-national companies to establish R&D operations in the country. Currently, more than 20 companies have established drug-discovery operations in Singapore.

The country is poised to build on its position as a leading global biomedical hub of Asia with the next phase of R&D funding. Research will be supported in areas such as stem cells, infectious diseases, and diagnostics. The Singapore Stem Cell consortium (SSCC) was established to coordinate, fund, and advance a broad base of stem cell research activity. SSCC will also establish key infrastructure and resources such as a national stem cell bank and a good manufacturing practices (GMP) cell-processing facility. At least four stem cell companies in Singapore will benefit from this focus.

Other companies are focused on developing new medicines from synergistic combinations of approved drugs, while new diagnostic tests are being developed by companies for detecting avian flu, HIV, and thrush.

"R&D is the foundation of the biotechnology industry,” said Dr. Swan-Gin Beh, director of the Biomedical Sciences Group, Singapore Economic Development Board, which is spearheading the expansion. "Singapore offers the right combination of scientific talent and world-class infrastructure to conduct cutting-edge research.”



Related Links:
Singapore Economic Development Board