Singapore: Advancing Healthcare Through World-Class Medical Events

Singapore’s Medical Cluster: All-Round Innovation & Collaboration

Singapore has long been recognised as a global leader in healthcare and biomedical innovation. The city-state’s success in the healthcare sector is built on a foundation of world-class infrastructure, a pro-business environment, and a strong commitment to research and development (R&D). These attributes make Singapore an attractive destination for multinational corporations and startups in medical sciences, as well as being a preferred location for hosting medical and healthcare events.

One of the key growth pillars of Singapore’s healthcare ecosystem is its thriving MedTech industry. Singapore is home to more than 400 MedTech companies, employing over 16,000 people, and has seen significant growth in this sector over the past decade. Between 2012 and 2022, MedTech manufacturing output grew by a remarkable 280% according to Enterprise Singapore, highlighting Singapore’s expertise to scale and innovate in this field. The country’s strong base of engineering capabilities, supported by a vibrant ecosystem of suppliers, local partners, and quality assurance standards, allows it to produce high-value medical products for global markets. These include cardiovascular implantables, vision care devices, hearing aids, and diagnostic tools, which are essential for patients worldwide.

The city-state’s HealthTech sector is also gaining momentum, with a particular focus on connected devices, big data, and patient-centric care. HealthTech startups based in Singapore are addressing some of the most pressing healthcare challenges, from remote patient monitoring to telemedicine solutions.

Singapore’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors have also seen rapid development, contributing to the country’s status as a regional healthcare powerhouse. More than 30 of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Novartis, and Sanofi, have established manufacturing and R&D facilities in the city. These global players leverage Singapore’s highly skilled workforce, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and robust intellectual property protections to develop and produce innovative medicines and biologics. For instance, GlaxoSmithKline operates an advanced manufacturing facility for next generation cancer treatment, utilising automation and pioneering new processes in medicine production.

A major factor driving the growth of Singapore’s biomedical and healthcare sectors is the government’s substantial investment in research and innovation. Under the Research Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 plan, Singapore has committed S$25 billion to public sector research, with a significant portion allocated to the domain of Human Health and Potential. This investment is designed to foster new medical breakthroughs and create an ecosystem where companies can collaborate with academic institutions, research organisations, and healthcare providers to bring innovative solutions to market. Singapore’s extensive network of research institutions, including the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), plays a crucial role in advancing biomedical science and providing a pipeline of discoveries that can be translated into practical healthcare applications.

In this context, Singapore has developed a robust R&D ecosystem, with more than 25 R&D centres established by multinational companies. These centres collaborate with local startups and research institutions to develop next-generation medical devices and solutions, positioning Singapore as a leader. For example, in May 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific opened a state-of-the-art sterile facility in Singapore to manufacture vaccines and therapeutics, demonstrating the country’s preparedness for future health crises and its ability to scale up production rapidly.

Beyond its manufacturing prowess, Singapore is actively cultivating innovation in health sciences through initiatives that encourage collaboration between government agencies, universities, and the private sector. This includes the establishment of centres like the Experimental Drug Development Centre and the Target Translation Consortium, which focus on accelerating drug discovery and development.

As a medical conference destination, Singapore’s ability to bring together global healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry leaders has made it a prime location for events that shape the future of medicine. The country’s proximity to the Asia-Pacific region, its excellent infrastructure, and its reputation for safety and efficiency make it a highly attractive destination for international conferences. With a thriving healthcare and biomedical ecosystem, Singapore serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration.

Case Study: ITI World Symposium 2024

A prime example of Singapore’s appeal as a destination for medical events is the ITI (International Team for Implantology) World Symposium, held in May 2024. The symposium, which brought together over 5,500 dental professionals from more than 100 countries to Singapore Expo, highlighted Singapore’s unique advantages as a host city for large-scale medical meetings.

The ITI World Symposium is the world’s largest event dedicated to implant dentistry, providing a platform for leading clinicians and researchers to discuss the latest scientific advancements and best practices. The 2024 event was centered around the theme “Every patient has a story: Evidence meets patient perspectives to guide clinical care,” which reflected ITI’s commitment to patient-centered approaches in implant dentistry. The three-day event featured lectures, live-commented videos, and immersive hands-on workshops, allowing participants to gain practical skills while engaging with cutting-edge research.

The decision to host the symposium in Singapore was driven by several factors, including the country’s strategic location in Southeast Asia and its reputation for safety, efficiency, and world-class infrastructure. “Singapore’s accessibility, exceptional infrastructure, and cultural diversity made it a premier destination for hosting the ITI World Symposium 2024,” said Sven Pfeiffer, Marketing & Event Manager at the ITI Foundation. Additionally, Singapore’s strong presence in the Asian market, combined with the entire region’s rapidly growing demand for implant dentistry solutions, made it an ideal choice for the symposium, which sought to address the educational needs of dental professionals throughout Asia.

“Despite being a large association, our organising team is relatively small, which underscores our reliance on trustworthy local partners to manage the complexities of hosting a significant event such as the ITI World Symposium,” added Pfeiffer. “Throughout the entire period, Singapore Expo and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) provided excellent support, ensuring a smooth and efficient planning process. Their collaborative approach facilitated seamless communication and coordination among all parties involved, which is crucial for a successful event of this scale.”

The ITI World Symposium featured several networking opportunities, including a beachfront dinner party on Sentosa Island, which offered attendees a chance to relax and connect in a more informal setting. “The choice of Sentosa Island, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere, offered a perfect setting for this relaxed yet dynamic networking event, adding a unique flair to the ITI World Symposium’s social program”, said Pfeiffer.

Altogether, the ITI World Symposium 2024 was a huge success at every level, as it offered an ideal setting for dental professionals to reconnect with their peers and establish new relationships. “The unique interior architecture of the event, reflecting aspects of the vibrant host city Singapore was especially developed and built to house the lively industry exhibition and to provide participants with a perfect environment to promote networking, exchange and relaxation,” he added.

“Participants also appreciated Singapore’s strategic location, which serves as an ideal gateway to a multitude of holiday destinations across Southeast Asia. After the busy days at the ITI World Symposium, many attendees were eager to explore nearby attractions and beautiful locales, enhancing their overall experience and allowing them to unwind after a successful event with a well-deserved vacation,” Pfeiffer concluded.

Legacy-building with the International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS) Congress

Looking ahead, Singapore is poised to continue its legacy of hosting impactful medical conferences. One such event is the upcoming International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS) Congress, scheduled to take place in May 2025. The congress, which will bring together experts in liver transplantation from around the world, will focus on cutting-edge technologies and advancements in the field.

A/Prof Alfred Kow, Senior Consultant at the National University Hospital and Council Member of the ILTS, explained that Singapore was chosen as the host destination for the ILTS 2025 Congress due to its advanced liver transplant ecosystem and innovative approach to transplantation.

“Singapore has one of the most mature liver transplant ecosystems in the Asian region, and we continue to push the boundaries in liver transplantation, developing minimally invasive techniques and advancing the use of AI and precision medicine,” said Prof Kow. “Singapore also is well-known for its safety, efficiency, cleanliness, and futuristic outlook. It has a very open economy. The healthcare standards and quality are also internationally recognised – which is naturally attractive for medical conference.” 

In addition to fostering scientific exchange, the ILTS 2025 Congress will prioritise legacy-building initiatives that honor the contributions of organ donors. The congress will feature a symbolic tree-planting initiative, with each tree representing an organ donor and serving as a lasting reminder of the gift of life. “Organ transplantation symbolizes the continuity of life, and our legacy projects aim to raise awareness about the transformative power of organ donation,” Prof Kow added.

Singapore’s commitment to legacy building extends beyond individual events. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has been instrumental in helping organisers design meaningful initiatives that create lasting positive impact on both the local and global healthcare communities. Through its MICE Event Legacy Toolkit and partnerships with local organizations, STB has supported the development of initiatives that go beyond the conference itself, ensuring that the outcomes of these events continue to benefit society long after they have concluded.

“We have received tremendous support from STB in crafting the legacy projects, beginning with the provision of a legacy toolkit that outlined a structured approach to formulating meaningful initiatives. STB’s role in connecting us with the right partners and organisations to execute our initiatives has been crucial, bridging gaps and ensuring our projects have the necessary support and resources. Their support has significantly enhanced the potential of our legacy projects to create lasting, positive change,” Prof Kow said.

Find out how Singapore can partner you to create impactful business events here www.visitsingapore.com/mice