Why Biotech Startups Should Set Up Their Company in Singapore

Introduction

In recent years, Singapore has cemented its position as one of the world’s leading destinations for biotechnology innovation and enterprise. Once known primarily as a finance and trade hub, the city-state has made deliberate and sustained investments in the life sciences sector. Today, biotech startups are increasingly choosing Singapore as their launchpad for growth—not just to serve local markets but also to expand across Asia and the globe.

With its robust ecosystem, strong government support, advanced infrastructure, and global connectivity, Singapore offers biotech startups the ideal environment to thrive. This article explores in detail why Singapore is a prime location for biotech entrepreneurs to set up and scale their companies.

1. Strong Government Commitment to Life Sciences

Biotech startups require long-term policy support, and Singapore delivers precisely that. Since the early 2000s, the Singapore government has strategically invested billions of dollars into life sciences through the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) framework. Under the current RIE2025 plan, more than S$25 billion is allocated to research and innovation, with a significant portion directed toward biomedical sciences.

This commitment provides biotech startups with sustained funding opportunities, access to cutting-edge infrastructure, and a supportive policy environment. Initiatives such as A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) further provide grants, partnerships, and access to state-of-the-art labs for startups in the biotech space.

2. Strategic Location in Asia’s Growing Healthcare Market

Singapore’s geographic location makes it a natural gateway to the fast-growing healthcare and pharmaceutical markets in Asia. Countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam represent billions of potential patients and consumers. Demand for biotech solutions—ranging from drug development to diagnostics and medical devices—is surging due to aging populations, rising incomes, and greater healthcare awareness.

By setting up in Singapore, biotech startups can easily expand into these high-growth markets. The city’s reputation for regulatory transparency and scientific excellence also gives startups credibility when engaging with regional partners, investors, and healthcare providers.

3. Access to World-Class Research Institutions

For biotech startups, research collaboration is critical. Singapore is home to globally recognized research institutions such as:

• Biopolis – A biomedical research hub housing leading institutes, labs, and private sector players.

• Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) – A*STAR’s genomics research center driving advancements in precision medicine.

• Duke-NUS Medical School and National University of Singapore (NUS) – Producing groundbreaking research in life sciences and medicine.

• National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore Eye Research Institute – Specializing in translational research with direct clinical applications.

Startups in Singapore benefit from close collaborations with these institutions, enabling faster innovation, clinical validation, and commercialization of biotech products and technologies.

4. Robust Intellectual Property (IP) Protection

Innovation is the lifeblood of biotech, and strong intellectual property protection is essential for attracting investment and ensuring commercialization success. Singapore consistently ranks among the best in Asia for IP protection and has built a reputation as a trusted hub for safeguarding patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) provides clear, efficient, and internationally recognized processes for securing IP rights. For biotech startups, this offers peace of mind that their innovations—from drug formulas to genetic data—are legally protected in Singapore and recognized globally.

5. Thriving Funding and Investment Ecosystem

Capital-intensive industries like biotech need access to funding at every stage of growth. Singapore has developed a vibrant investment ecosystem for life sciences, supported by:

• Government grants and co-funding schemes such as Startup SG Equity and Enterprise Development Grants.

• Venture capital firms specializing in biotech and healthcare, including Temasek Holdings’ Vertex Ventures, BioVeda Capital, and Heritas Capital.

• Global pharmaceutical companies with local presence, often engaging in strategic partnerships or acquisitions of biotech startups.

• Family offices and private investors increasingly drawn to biotech due to its high potential returns and social impact.

This financial ecosystem ensures that promising biotech startups have avenues to secure funding for R&D, clinical trials, and international expansion.

6. Advanced Infrastructure and Facilities

Singapore offers biotech startups access to world-class infrastructure tailored to their needs. Facilities such as Biopolis and Fusionopolis provide state-of-the-art laboratories, clean rooms, and incubation spaces. Startups can rent flexible lab spaces and access shared equipment, reducing upfront capital expenditure.

Moreover, Singapore’s strong logistics and digital infrastructure ensure that biotech startups can efficiently handle clinical samples, supply chains, and data analytics. For companies working on personalized medicine or genomics, the nation’s commitment to becoming a Smart Nation further enhances capabilities in digital health and data-driven biotechnology.

7. Supportive Regulatory Environment

Unlike many countries where regulatory approval can be lengthy and complex, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) provides clear and efficient pathways for biotech products and medical devices. The HSA aligns with international standards while offering guidance for startups to navigate the regulatory process effectively.

This balance between rigor and efficiency makes Singapore an attractive testbed for biotech innovation. Startups can conduct clinical trials, validate products, and bring them to market more quickly than in many other jurisdictions.

8. Highly Skilled and Multidisciplinary Talent Pool

Talent is a critical factor for biotech startups, and Singapore provides access to a well-educated, multilingual, and globally diverse workforce. Universities such as NUS, NTU, and Duke-NUS produce graduates in biomedical sciences, engineering, and data science who can contribute directly to biotech startups.

In addition, Singapore’s immigration policies allow startups to recruit international talent through schemes like the Employment Pass (EP) and Tech.Pass, ensuring access to global expertise in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and related fields.

This combination of local and international talent fosters innovation and enables startups to scale with the right skills in place.

9. Strong Industry Partnerships and Clusters

Singapore’s biotech ecosystem benefits from clustering, where startups, research institutions, hospitals, and multinational corporations operate in close proximity. Biopolis, for instance, houses global giants like Novartis, GSK, and Takeda, alongside startups and research bodies.

This clustering effect promotes knowledge sharing, collaboration, and potential partnerships. Startups often find opportunities to co-develop drugs, license technologies, or partner on clinical trials with established pharmaceutical companies in Singapore.

10. Global Connectivity and Trade Agreements

Singapore’s world-class connectivity allows biotech startups to collaborate and distribute products globally. With one of the busiest airports and ports in the world, transporting medical supplies, lab equipment, and pharmaceuticals is highly efficient.

Moreover, Singapore’s extensive network of free trade agreements (FTAs) and membership in organizations like ASEAN, CPTPP, and RCEP provide biotech startups with preferential access to major global markets. This global reach is invaluable for startups planning to export medical devices, diagnostics, or therapies worldwide.

11. Access to Clinical Trial Infrastructure

Singapore is renowned for its high-quality healthcare system and internationally accredited hospitals. For biotech startups, this provides an excellent environment to conduct clinical trials.

Hospitals such as the National University Hospital (NUH) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH) frequently collaborate with biotech startups to test new drugs, therapies, or medical devices. The multi-ethnic population of Singapore also allows for diverse clinical trial data, which is attractive for startups developing treatments intended for global use.

12. High Quality of Life Attracts Global Talent

Beyond business advantages, Singapore offers a world-class quality of life, which helps biotech startups attract and retain top-tier talent. The city-state is known for its safety, political stability, healthcare excellence, and international schools—factors that encourage professionals to relocate and work with startups here.

For biotech founders and employees, this means operating in an environment where both personal and professional needs are well supported.

13. Opportunities in Emerging Biotech Fields

Singapore is positioning itself as a leader in next-generation biotech fields such as:

• Precision Medicine – leveraging genomics and AI to deliver personalized treatments.

• Cell and Gene Therapy – advancing regenerative medicine and novel therapeutics.

• Biomanufacturing – building capabilities in vaccine and biologics production.

• Digital Health and HealthTech – integrating biotech with data science, AI, and wearable technologies.

Startups focusing on these frontier areas find fertile ground in Singapore, thanks to government funding, research expertise, and global partnerships.

Conclusion

Singapore has deliberately built one of the most advanced biotech ecosystems in Asia. With strong government support, world-class infrastructure, leading research institutions, and a thriving funding landscape, biotech startups have everything they need to succeed.

The city-state’s strategic location, robust intellectual property protection, efficient regulatory framework, and highly skilled talent pool make it an unparalleled choice for biotech entrepreneurs. Moreover, its connectivity to global markets and commitment to innovation ensure that startups based in Singapore can scale regionally and internationally.

For biotech founders, Singapore is more than just a place to incorporate—it is a launchpad for discovery, growth, and global impact. With its unique blend of scientific excellence, business friendliness, and global connectivity, Singapore stands as one of the world’s best destinations for biotech startups to set up and thrive.