Singapore provides access to ‘top global talent’, says 10x Genomics

10x Genomics’ Singapore hub is spread over 53,000-square-feet of space, which includes automated production suites for reagent manufacturing and lab space that will be utilized for training.

The location will also be used to provide a commercial location in the APAC region to provide in-region sales, marketing and customer support capabilities.

When asked why Singapore was chosen as the location for its first manufacturing site outside of the US, a spokesperson for 10x Genomics told BioPharma-Reporter that “Singapore provides incredible access to top global talent.”​

Further than this, “The local government is also deeply committed to growing Singapore into a global hub for biotechnology, having invested for more than a decade to foster a strong research community and create a thriving innovation ecosystem,”​ they added.

Singapore’s biopharma growth​

According to the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB),​​ there were more than 350 biotech and medical technology companies based in Singapore, as of 2019, and the overall pharmaceutical industry represented 5% of the country’s GDP.

In further research​​ by the University of Cambridge, the investment by the Singaporean government led to pharma manufacturing locations growing by 4% annually from 2000 to 2018. Additionally, in terms of R&D employment, Singapore employs five times more biomedical researchers per capita than the US.

As a result, companies such as 10x Genomics are looking to establish locations in the area. When asked whether investment in the country would continue, the spokesperson for 10x Genomics stated that “We are continuing to add resources to our commercial and operations teams to help enable single cell and spatial technologies for the research community across the region.”​

In terms of how much investment the company had made in the facility, the spokesperson for the company was unable to confirm the exact figure spent but said that it was part of its continued investment to expand manufacturing and operations.

Broader than Singapore, 10x Genomics is also looking to expand its global reach, especially within Asia-Pacific region, as it is growing rapidly and is a ‘very important market’.​ According to the company, the region represented 25% of its global sales in the first half of 2021.

In response to 10x Genomics expansion in the country, Goh Wan Lee, SVP and head of healthcare, at Singapore EBD, stated, “The life sciences sector is an important pillar of our healthcare industry and has a promising growth trajectory. The EDB remains committed to supporting innovation and manufacturing activities in this sector, which will create good jobs and business opportunities in Singapore.”​

10x Genomics is not the only company looking to invest into manufacturing in the country. Only last month​​, Lonza invested in its mammalian development services in Singapore, adding a new 1,800-meter-square laboratory and a further 125 employees.