BioMedical Asia 2008 attracts over 1,000 experts
07 May 2008 | News
BioMedical Asia 2008 attracts over 1,000 experts
The highlight of BioMedical Asia 2008 was six conferences centered on bio manufacturing, therapeutics, licensing, investments, informatics and logistics.
Singapore's annual biomecal event "BioMedical Asia 2008" is one of the widely attended events in Asia.
The latest edition of the event saw participation from over 1,000 business and scientific leaders from Asia and around the world. The attendees included 200 international expert speakers and panelists representing the most influential companies, venture capitalists and research institutes from Asia Pacific, Europe and the US.
Over 600 delegates, including over 30 venture capitalists such as Novartis Venture Fund, Lilly Asian Ventures, Coastview Capital and JAIC Asia Capital with a combined total fund value of more than $12 billion took part in the event.
| Since the year 2000, when the biomedical sciences initiative was launched in the island country, manufacturing output has expanded four-fold from $4.64 billion (S$6.3 billion) to $17.67 billion (S$24 billion) in 2007 at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21 percent. Value-added also increased by more than threefold from $2.80 billion (S$3.8 billion) in 2000 to exceed $9.57 billion (S$13 billion) in 2007. Employment doubled from 5,880 to more than 11,500 over the same period. |
The highlight of BioMedical Asia 2008 was six conferences centered on bio manufacturing, therapeutics, licensing, investments, informatics and logistics. The two-day event also saw two industry summits on contract manufacturing and clinical partnering, five pre and post-event master classes, and exhibitions by the world's top biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
During the plenary session, Gordon Binder of Coastview Capital, Prof. Philippe Kourilsky of College de France and Dr Ansbert Gadicke of MPM Capital, discussed the market trends and drivers of the biomedical industry while crystal gazing on the future growth, emerging biomedical innovation from Asia and its impact, as well as the evolution of the global biotech capital market and how Asia fits into the equation.
Meanwhile Singapore's growth in life sciences seems to be on upswing. The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) says it brought in $686 million (S$932 million) of investments in fixed assets and $180 million (S$245 million) in total business spending for the biomedical sciences industry in 2007. This strong wave of investments points to an expanding base of manufacturing and research activities for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical technology and healthcare sectors in Singapore.
Investments in 2007 will lead to creation of over 1,700 jobs when fully realized. Over the next few years, biomedical sciences announcements and expansions will contribute more than 5,000 positions for engineers, scientists, technicians and corporate executives across manufacturing and R&D facilities.
The next edition of BioMedical Asia is scheduled from March 16-19, 2009 at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Center.
BioMedical Asia 2008 Highlights
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Sartorius Stedim opens support center in Singapore European biotech equipment maker Sartorius Stedim Biotech has set up a technical support center at Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. The center offers a pilot plant station as well as specific training courses and seminars covering theoretical principles and process optimization. Sartorius is expected to use this new Technical Support Center to help its major customers in the biopharmaceuticals industry in relocating production to Singapore and to provide onsite technical support. The new center will play a key role in transferring the customers' processes from their development centers to their new production sites. In order to create and test efficient processes, the Technical Support Center has been furnished with ultra-modern equipment. TNT reports eight-fold increase in Singapore Dutch courier giant TNT Express' Singapore healthcare business has grown eight-fold. The company currently dominates over 60 percent of the outsourced R&D logistics for the life science industry and its healthcare business grew by 68 percent last year, making it the fastest growth sector for the international express integrator in Singapore. The growth is most pronounced in specialist sectors such as Clinical Express. In addition to its tailored distribution centers, TNT's continued focus on networks ensures that it retains a leading position in the healthcare sector in the region. Last week, TNT announced it will invest €100 million (estimated S$215 million) over the coming five years to strengthen its network coverage, connectivity and infrastructure. Singapore's TTN goes global The Technology Transfer Network (TTN), founded by Exploit-Technologies of A*STAR with other technical training institutes in Singapore has joined hands with the Office of Technology Alliances of the University of California, Irvine (UCI). As an Affiliate Member, the UCI Office of Technology Alliances will be able to participate in enhanced collaboration with the network of TTN members to share best practices, leverage expertise and resources, and collaborate on networking opportunities to enhance technology transfer to the industry globally. The core activities of the TTN include collaboration on IP cluster mapping, training and certification of TTO professionals, joint marketing and events, technology advisory services, industry collaboration and regular dialogue, and sharing of best practices. |
