Applied Health Sciences
Overview
Pushing Forward in Biomedical, Healthcare and MedTech
1st
globally in Statista’s 2023 Health and Health Systems Ranking1
~280%
growth in MedTech manufacturing output from 2012 to 20222Singapore’s healthcare spend expected to increase to
S$59 billion
by 20303Biopharmaceutical exports more than tripled over past 20 years to
S$19 billion
in 20224Home to
400
medtech companies, employing over 16,000 people5
Singapore’s thriving applied health sciences industry mirrors much of the growth trends in today’s global Biomedical, Healthcare and MedTech sector. With world-class manufacturing capabilities, a pro-business environment as well as strong commitment to innovation and research in the biomedical and health domain, Singapore is well-positioned to support the industry’s rapid development.
Why Hold Applied Health Sciences Events in Singapore?
Regional Biomedical Hub
Over the years, Singapore has built up a strong reputation as a leading hub for biomedical sciences in Asia. This reputation has attracted many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms in the world to set up their regional headquarters in Singapore. Despite the country’s relatively small size, eight of the top 10 pharmaceutical firms such as Abbott, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer have manufacturing plants here, with multinational corporations accounting for over 35 manufacturing plants5.
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline has a total of three manufacturing plants in Singapore producing antibiotics, vaccines and pharmaceutical ingredients for prescription medicines. Their $130 million plant in Jurong6, is one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing facilities. In addition to being fully automated, it is also piloting many new processes that are changing the way medicines are being made.Abbott
Abbott Singapore is one of the company’s most significant facilities globally and their Asia-Pacific distribution hub, employing around 900 people who are involved in delivering innovative medical products and healthcare solutions to the region7. In 2010, Abbott set up Singapore’s first nutrition R&D site – the Abbott Nutrition Asia-Pacific Research & Development Center. The site currently houses around 65 scientists and staff, and is the largest such facility outside of the US.
Singapore's biomedical manufacturing prowess is evident in its significant contributions to the world's supply of essential medical devices and equipment. One in ten contact lenses and one in five cardiac-related implants originate from Singapore. The country also plays a crucial role in scientific research and diagnostics, producing half of the world's mass spectrometry systems and a vast majority of gene chips. This underscores Singapore’s dedication to driving healthcare advancements and scientific discoveries on a global scale.
Beyond manufacturing excellence, Singapore is actively fostering innovation in the health sciences. The S$25 billion commitment towards public sector research under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 plan, with a focus on Human Health and Potential8 exemplifies this dedication. This substantial investment is poised to catalyse new medical breakthroughs and enable healthcare and life sciences companies to leverage Singapore’s extensive and integrated research ecosystem.
Many prominent international healthcare and research organisations, such as the American Association for Cancer Research, Duke University, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and Joint Commission International (JCI) also have an established presence here.
With more than 400 MedTech companies employing over 16,000 people, Singapore stands as a premier hub for innovation, technology and research. This concentration of thought leaders and key players creates an ideal launchpad for groundbreaking innovations, where companies leverage Singapore's unique ecosystem and diverse talent pool to create and test solutions that drive long-term impact on global healthcare.
This makes Singapore an ideal location for applied health sciences events, offering organisers access to world-renowned experts and innovators as speakers. In turn, these events attract diverse attendees from globally, eager to learn and forge meaningful connections within the industry.
Leading the Way in Healthcare
With the goal of becoming a Smart Nation, Singapore is pushing forward as a regional leader in MedTech research and development. The country is currently home to 50 medtech regional headquarters and 35 medtech manufacturing plants5, including Becton Dickinson, Biotronik, GE Healthcare and Thermo Fisher Scientific, which are attracted by the country’s innovative R&D ecosystem and highly skilled workforce.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Recognising the importance of pandemic preparedness following COVID-19, Thermo Fisher Scientific opened a state-of-the-art sterile facility for therapeutics and vaccines in Singapore in 2023. Featured in the new facility is a high-speed sterile line for live virus filling – the first such large scale capability in Singapore. With more than 300 employees, the facility can manufacture up to 30 million doses per month9.
GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare in Singapore employs more than 300 staff who provide solutions for diagnostic imaging departments, operating theatres and high acuity wards. In 2014, GE Healthcare chose Singapore for their first manufacturing plant in Southeast Asia. Today, Singapore serves as the company’s regional service hub for portable healthcare equipment repairs, and to provide training for users of GE Healthcare’s products and equipment.
Biotronik
Biotronik, a German pioneer in cardiac rhythm management, has significantly expanded its presence in Singapore by opening a state-of-the-art 20,000 sq m facility in December 202310. Biotronik is the first major manufacturer in its sector to establish an Asia-Pacific manufacturing and research hub, reaffirming its commitment to investing in Singapore's MedTech ecosystem, fostering strategic partnerships and creating new job opportunities.
Singapore's culture of innovation extends beyond multinational corporations into its thriving startup scene. This ecosystem is fuelled by a vibrant and collaborative business environment where government and private institutions work together to advance the industry. Beyond its strength in MedTech, focusing on medical devices and equipment, Singapore is rapidly emerging as Asia’s leading hub for HealthTech, encompassing a broader spectrum of technologies aimed at improving overall health.
According to Enterprise Singapore, HealthTech was the top vertical under the Human Health and Potential sector, reaching a total value of S$876 million in 202211. This momentum continued into 2023, as Singapore’s HealthTech startups secured S$409 million in funding, doubling the deal volume from the previous year12. Examples of startups that have successfully commercialised critical medical technology and expanded globally include Singapore-based Structo, which specialises in 3D printers and materials for dental applications13. Another notable example is Doctor Anywhere, a healthtech startup headquartered in Singapore that provides healthcare to over 2.5 million users across six countries in Southeast Asia14.
This robust ecosystem, combined with Singapore’s position as a trusted gateway to the Asia Pacific market, makes it a prime destination for MedTech and HealthTech events. For companies seeking regional growth opportunities, Singapore serves as a powerful launchpad for new ideas and a meeting place for entrepreneurs and forward-thinking leaders to accelerate progress in the industry.
Healthcare Advancements
In addition to supporting the needs of its 5.9 million residents15, Singapore’s leading healthcare system also attracts 500,000 international patients annually3.
Singapore has come a long way in 50 years, from being plagued by frequent disease outbreaks and a relatively high adult mortality rate16, to having one of the world’s most efficient healthcare systems. This remarkable progress stems from the nation’s innovative and holistic approach towards medicine and healthcare, ensuring patients have access to the latest medical technologies and drug developments.
Recognising the importance of collaboration in medical breakthroughs, Singapore has invested heavily into building an ecosystem where lab discoveries can quickly be translated into viable patient solutions. Examples of this collaborative approach include the creation of the Experimental Drug Development Centre — a national platform for channelling high-potential drug candidates towards commercial reality, and the Target Translation Consortium, which coordinates early-stage drug discovery efforts across academia, healthcare institutions and government agencies.
Today, Singapore’s demographics mirror the healthcare needs and aspirations of Asia and much of the world. With an ageing population, the focus has turned to solutions that lessen the strain on hospitals and allow ageing-in-place. This has led to growing demand for preventive and rehabilitative healthcare, and its related technologies such as remote medical monitoring devices, assistive devices and virtual healthcare services.
Across Biomedical, MedTech and Healthcare, Singapore’s commitment to health sciences advancement makes it an ideal hub for hosting progressive, thought-leadership events. These gatherings facilitate knowledge exchange and convene key opinion leaders, institutes, firms, start-ups and research organisations, fostering meaningful partnerships that shape the future of health sciences.
Get Inspired
Singapore has hosted top biomedical and healthcare industry conferences and tradeshows, giving it the necessary expertise and experience to support your event.
World Stroke Congress 2022
The World Stroke Congress (WSC) is the premier international conference focused on stroke care and research. It convenes professionals from around the globe to discuss the betterment of stroke care and showcase the latest innovations in medical technology. Singapore hosted the 14th edition of WSC in 2022, marking the first time the event was held in Southeast Asia. It saw a strong turnout with over 4,400 visiting and virtual delegates from 107 countries, as well as 800 participants in the Stepping Out For Stroke fundraising walkathon in honour of World Stroke Day.
World Congress of Dermatology 2023
The World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) has been a crucial global platform for advancing dermatology for over 130 years. It brings together clinicians, scientists and researchers to foster cooperation across borders, address global health challenges related to skin diseases and improve patient care on an international scale. In 2023, the 25th edition of WCD was held in Singapore and Southeast Asia for the first time, attracting 12,037 attendees from 150 countries. The event's success was recognised with the Outstanding Business Event award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2024.
Medical Fair Asia
One of Asia’s most established shows with a history reaching back to 1997. This is the definitive event for medical and healthcare industry professionals including healthcare manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and investors. The show is a central meeting place for trade professionals to witness cutting-edge innovations and learn about current and future industry trends. In 2024, the show’s 15th edition attracted 13,725 attendees from 60 countries. It also featured over 1,000 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions, as well as 19 national and group pavilions that showcased the latest solutions.
ISPE Singapore Affiliate Conference & Exhibition
Organised by the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), this is one of the largest and most respected trade shows in Singapore for pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing professionals. It attracts speakers and attendees hailing from 25 countries from APAC and beyond.
IDEM Singapore
The International Dental Exhibition & Meeting (IDEM) is Asia Pacific’s leading dental exhibition with the largest dental B2B trade fair in the region. IDEM 2024 welcomed a record-breaking 8,917 attendees from 74 countries and regions, and 500 exhibitors showcasing 629 brands from 35 countries and regions17.
MedTech Forum
APACMed represents manufacturers and suppliers of medical equipment, devices and in-vitro diagnostics, industry associations and other key MedTech industry stakeholders. 2024 marked the 10th anniversary edition for the APAC MedTech Forum, which welcomed more than 2,000 attendees and 101 speakers from over 28 participating countries.
Asia Bio Partnering Forum
A leading event for the Asian biopharmaceutical industry, this forum brings together hundreds of innovators from key regional markets with global biotech and pharmaceutical leaders to advance dealmaking across Asia.
Singapore Vet
This show is Asia's premier conference and exhibition for veterinary professionals and animal health leaders. Singapore Vet features an insightful programme developed in partnership with the Royal Veterinary College and showcases cutting-edge veterinary solutions for enhancing companion animal care. It attracts over 1,700 delegates and 110 exhibitors from more than 37 countries in Asia and beyond.
Footnotes
1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/1376359/health-and-health-system-ranking-of-countries-worldwide/
3 https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/singapore-healthcare
7 https://www.abbott.com.sg/about-abbott/abbott-in-singapore.html
8 https://www.nrf.gov.sg/rie-ecosystem/ecosystem/
13 https://www.sginnovate.com/investments/structo
14 https://doctoranywhere.com/about-us/
15 https://www.singstat.gov.sg/modules/infographics/population
16 https://www.moh.gov.sg/resources-statistics/information-paper/trend-in-adult-mortality-in-singapore