Official Opening Ceremony Of The Welch Allyn Research & Development Centre

31 Aug 2004

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts and Health

Venue: Keppel Towers

Speech By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister Of State For Information, Communications And The Arts And Health At The Official Opening Ceremony Of The Welch Allyn Research & Development Centre At Keppel Towers On Tuesday, 31 Aug 2004 At 10:35 AM

Your Excellency Mr Frank Lavin, US Ambassador to Singapore

Mr. Peter Soderberg, CEO of Welch Allyn

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to join you this morning for the opening of Welch Allyn's first Research & Development Centre in Asia.

Welch Allyn is well known amongst the medical community as the inventor of the hand-held illuminating ophthalmoscopes and other innovative products.  We are thus pleased that Welch Allyn has chosen Singapore to spearhead its push into the region to take advantage of the strong growth potential in the Asian markets.

The Medical Technology industry is a fast-growing sector of Singapore's Biomedical Sciences cluster.  It provides good job opportunities in both manufacturing and research.  As at end 2003, Medical Technology companies employed about 4,000 people or 55% of the total employment in the Biomedical Sciences cluster.  Medical Technology companies also enjoyed a healthy 4.2% growth in manufacturing output to reach $1.8 billion in 2003.

The opening of this centre is a significant endorsement of Singapore and underlines our position as one of the leading sites in the region for biomedical research.  Medical Technology companies involved in R&D in Singapore have contributed significantly to advancing human healthcare.  Examples include Becton Dickinson,

which developed a pre-filled, single-use Uniject injection device for mass vaccinations; and Siemens, which worked with the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology on the miniaturisation of their hearing aids.  There are many reasons why these companies have been successful in Singapore.  

Firstly, our well trained doctors in the local hospitals and therapeutic centers are well positioned to test-bed products that have been developed here.  By doing so, our doctors will be able to maintain their edge in the use and development of new healthcare technologies.  They can also give their input and make changes while the technologies are still at the development stage. 

Secondly, to help scientists at the local universities, polytechnics, hospitals and research institutes demonstrate proof-of-concept of their research discoveries.  EDB's Biomedical Sciences Group launched the Proof of Concept (POC) Scheme last year.  The Scheme provides funding of up to S$300,000 per project to scientists for projects in the areas of therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, medical technology or platform technologies.  Companies such as Welch Allyn can benefit from the POC scheme by partnering with local researchers with successful POC projects to commercialize and bring these technologies to market.

Thirdly, Medical Technology companies can leverage on the large pool of Singaporean engineers, which have deep expertise in the areas of electronics, materials and communications, to develop applications in human healthcare.  In addition, both NUS and NTU have started bioengineering degree programs in response to the demand from Medical Technology companies who are looking for trained manpower cross trained in both engineering as well as in biomedical sciences. 

To complement our local scientific talent base, Singapore also makes it a point to welcome international talent.  This pro-foreign and pro-local approach differentiates Singapore from other Asian countries.  As a result, our cosmopolitan and multiracial society attracts multinational companies, expatriates and young talents from all over the world to locate here.  

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the management and staff of Welch Allyn on the official opening of your Research & Development Centre.  I am confident that you will enjoy great success in your endeavor here in Singapore.  Thank you.