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SINGAPORE : JTC Corp has announced two new projects and unveiled a new concept plan to boost the biomedical sector. The projects involve expanding the Biopolis hub and creating a medical technology cluster.
To increase land utilisation, policy makers are considering plans to cluster biomedical firms in high-rise buildings.
Biopolis - a biomedical research and development hub at one-north - has already seen government investments of S$500 million. The area is already growing into a leading international biomedical sciences cluster, advancing human health by achieving excellence across the entire value chain.
JTC now wants to encourage the private sector to commit another S$100 million to expand Biopolis to bring pre-clinical trials to the cluster to complement its current medical research mission.
The project is slated for completion in 2013.
JTC will also look to add value for companies that want to move into the facility.
Heah Soon Poh, director, Biomedical and Chemicals Cluster, JTC Corp, said: "We are going into this concept called shelf-plus. It is ready-built labs that companies can come in and rent out.
"They are already fitted out with all their lab requirements. All they need to do is come in and do their research. So in a way, it lowers their start-up costs for them to go into R&D."
JTC will also start developing a medical technology cluster to improve the infrastructure for companies that produce medical equipment.
The cluster will be built in two phases. Phase 1 will see between S$60 million and S$80 million committed to build a 40,000 square metre development by late 2013. Details of Phase 2 are expected later.
Mr Heah said: "There is going to be growth for the next five years. Currently, it is about S$2.9 billion in terms of value, it is going to grow to about S$5 billion."
The project will also involve creating synergies for companies operating in the med-tech cluster to improve efficiency.
JTC said the med-tech cluster and Biopolis expansion projects will be tendered out to the private sector.
Meanwhile, a high-rise biologic manufacturing concept has also been launched. It aims to increase land utilisation in the biomedical sector by building taller facilities. - CNA/ms
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