An article in our sister magazine Machine Design about medical device manufacturing in China prompted a reply from the Singapore Economic Development Board. According to the board:

• In 2008, Singapore’s medical technology sector contributed about U.S. $2 billion in manufacturing output and over 8,000 jobs.
• Thirty global medical technology companies have set up commercial-scale manufacturing plants in Singapore. The country is one of the world’s leading manufacturing sites for research tools and diagnostics instruments, supplying more than half of the world’s micro-arrays and 50% of the global demand for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instruments.
• Singapore is well connected with the region’s key markets. More than 10 leading medical technology companies have established regional headquarters in Singapore. They include Alcon, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson, Roche Diagnostics, Siemens Medical Instruments, and Zimmer.
• Medical technology companies can also work with hospitals to test-bed their innovative systems and solutions. As a microcosm of Asia, Singapore provides an ideal base for companies to test-bed and develop new solutions and systems for the regional and global market.
• Homegrown companies and research institutes have received global recognition for their innovative research and medical devices. They include HealthSTATS International, Veredus Laboratories, and the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. For example, HealthSTATS International was awarded Technology Pioneer 2007 status by the World Economic Forum. The company’s wearable ambulatory blood pressure monitoring medical device, BPro, is the world’s first device that allows for continuous monitoring and analysis of blood pressure from a remote station over a 24-hour period.
• The new 3M Drug Delivery Systems Lab in Singapore also has the capacity and know-how to take unique formulations developed in the Asian region along the development path: from feasibility, development, and manufacturing to quality assurance, all with global regulatory expertise.
• In June this year, GSK marked its 50th anniversary in Singapore by opening its first-in-Asia primary vaccine facility in Singapore. With an investment of U.S. $415 million, this biologics facility represents the company's largest investment in Asia.
• In addition to GSK, Baxter International Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new biopharmaceutical facility. This manufacturing plant will undertake the bulk production of ADVATE, the recombinant factor VIII therapy that is free of blood-based additives, for the treatment of haemophilia A.
• In May 2009, Lonza announced its first Asian cell-therapy manufacturing plant in Singapore. This U.S. $28 million facility leverages Singapore's strong research capabilities in stem cell and cell therapy, and its strong track record in novel, complex biomedical manufacturing.