Overview
Ranked among the top five pharma hubs in the APAC region, Singapore’s pharmaceutical infrastructure attracts global players
The Pharmaceutical & Biological industry includes two sub-sectors - pharmaceuticals, employing 35% of the industry’s workforce, and medical technology, employing 65% of the workforce. The medical technology (Medtech) sector produces technology that can be used in a health or care setting such as pacemakers, diagnostic tests, contact lenses and AI-assisted health care. The pharmaceuticals sector contributed SGD 9 billion to the country’s GDP in 2020. Singapore is home to around 63 Pharmaceutical & Biological producers, with an SGD 17 billion output to the economy in 2020.
Singapore has manufacturing facilities for eight of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies, manufacturing four of the top 10 drugs, in terms of global revenue. The country is home to a number of international drug manufacturers including Pfizer, Novartis, Sanofi, AbbVie and Amgen with manufacturing hubs in Singapore. The pharmaceutical sector employed around 9,000 workers and paid out around SGD 1 billion in remuneration in 2020.
Singapore’s cost-sharing partnerships with industry leaders have enabled the country to develop an ecosystem that hosts the top global brands in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, incentives for setting up regional HQs, logistical facilities that can offer end-to-end air transportation for the industry and Singapore’s strategic location connecting the region with the largest population in the world has positioned it as an attractive destination for the industry.
Singapore’s vision for creating a pharmaceutical and biomedical hub was initiated in 2000, through its Biomedical Sciences (BMS) initiative, with three focus areas - the creation of physical infrastructure for pharmaceutical R&D, global headhunting of experts to lead research institutions, and the attraction and collaboration of foreign MNCs in the industry. Singapore is ranked among the top five life science hubs in the APAC region.
Singapore has an industrial park dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry. The Tuas Biomedical Park is a 300-hectare pharmaceutical manufacturing hub that provides single-use technology (SUT) manufacturing platforms and laboratory infrastructure for the industry. The Biopolis center is a biomedical research facility that hosts leading public and private biomedical research institutes and organizations in the R&D value chain.
Singapore’s pharmaceutical infrastructure facilitates large-scale/clinical-scale production for companies that want to outsource their manufacturing needs. This facility is enabled through government partnerships with contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) such as Lonza, CellVec and Esco Aster. These manufacturing facilities support a wide range of products including active pharmaceutical Ingredients, drug products and biologics drug substances.
In addition, Merck’s 3,800-square-meter biosafety laboratory offers clinical testing services for biological drug products. The SGD 20 million investment was a significant move in the industry as the first BioReliance laboratory in the Asia Pacific region, when most analytical testing facilities are located in either Europe or the US, with limited labs in Asia.
The Changi Pharma Hub has the largest number (12) of IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) companies in the Asia Pacific region. Changi Airport is the preferred air cargo hub for the consolidation and distribution of pharmaceuticals, ensuring a reliable and unbroken cold chain for the transportation of drugs.
These facilities continue to attract major international investors and global talent towards Singapore’s thriving research and development landscape.
Key Trends
Positive outlook stemming from large investments, despite contraction in recent quarters
The pharmaceuticals industry contracted by 9% YoY for 3Q 2021, due to the different mix of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) produced. The Economic Development Board (EDB) indicated that this trend would continue through 4Q 2021 up to March 2022, for the same underlying reason.
However, the monthly manufacturing performance for December 2021 indicated a 90% growth in the Biomedical manufacturing cluster, which includes the medical technology sub-segment and pharmaceuticals. It is notable that the pharmaceuticals output increased by 16% YoY in 2020 to SGD 17 billion, although this was down from a peak of USD 21 billion in 2018.
The pharmaceutical industry attracted large investments in 2021, such as Sanofi investing SGD 639 million to build a vaccine production center, in addition to vaccine maker BioNTech, which announced it would be setting up its regional headquarters and a vaccine manufacturing facility in Singapore by 2023.
Singapore-based pharmaceutical company AUM Biosciences raised SGD 27 million in a funding round, with which the company aims to develop a pipeline of medicines for targets that are currently considered undruggable.
Singapore’s Changi Airport co-led a global task force aimed at addressing Covid-19 vaccines' global supply chain challenges in 2020. The project established effective guidelines for the air cargo industry to ensure the proper handling, storage and transportation of the expected high volume of Covid-19 vaccines.
Statista expects the industry to continue to grow, following the historical trend of the industrial production index for pharmaceuticals and biological products, which has been showing an upward trend since 2010.
Singapore to build pharmaceutical real estate by investing in advanced manufacturing
Singapore’s infrastructure facilities, the Tuas Biomedical Park and the Biopolis center, which support single-use technology, provide readily available real estate space for pharmaceutical companies and startups to set up a plug-and-play business. Real estate giant JTC actively promotes floor space in its Biopolis center, equipped to support R&D and laboratory testing.
The government aims to develop the local talent pipeline, as the country prepares for an economic rebound with its ‘Manufacturing 2030’ plan. The government stated plans to develop higher-value manufacturing clusters based on know-how and skills, in order to be a critical part of global value chains and indicated that the biomedical cluster will be a key contributor to this vision.
As part of the government’s vision for advanced manufacturing, the 10-year Singapore Manufacturing Roadmap was launched with a GSK-Economic Development Board partnership. As part of the program, GSK opened its new SGD 130 million pharmaceutical manufacturing facility that houses state-of-the-art technology for continuous manufacturing, instead of the usual batch production.
The Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS) launched in 2017, in collaboration with GSK, MSD and Pfizer, has been working on more than 10 different projects to transform small molecule manufacturing operations and technologies. These projects cover areas such as bio-catalysis, continuous manufacturing, advanced process control, digitalization and enhanced pharmaceutical operations. The partnership is expected to expand into other areas of biologics manufacturing as well.
The government set up a National Research Foundation (NRF) in 2018, committing around SGD 50 million, to co-invest in startups, underpinned by IPs generated from publicly funded research.
Key Statistics
- As of 2019, there are more than 350 biomedical technology companies in Singapore across therapeutic areas such as oncology and infectious diseases.
- The biomedical manufacturing sector managed to record almost SGD 640 million in fixed assets investment and SGD 270 million in total business expenditure in 2020
- The biopharma cluster accounted for 18% of manufacturing GDP in 2020 and employed about 25,000 workers
- Singapore is one of the few countries in the world that are able to generate a positive trade balance in the pharmaceutical sector, with its USD 9 billion export value exceeding the USD 4 billion imports in 2020
- The number of registered pharmacists increased by 164 (5% YoY) to 3,572 in 2020, comprising 2,720 local-trained graduates and 852 foreign-trained graduates
Top Singapore MNCs in Pharmaceuticals Companies
GLAXOSMITHKLINE PTE LTD
GlaxoSmithKline is a global healthcare company whose origins can be traced back to a London-based apothecary shop in 1715. With the merging of GlaxoWellcome and SmithKline Beecham, the company - which took the name GlaxoSmithKline - became known for producing its own medications and healthcare products. It provides its medical expertise and products through three businesses. Its Pharmaceuticals business has a focus on providing medications for respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation and oncology sectors, while its R&D section has a focus on immunology, human genetics and advanced technologies. GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccines, developed by its R & D section, provides vaccines worldwide. And lastly, its Consumer Health business combines science and consumer perception, to create reputable healthcare brands.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON PTE. LTD.
Johnson & Johnson Pte. Ltd. is the Singapore-based subsidiary of its global American parent company and was incorporated in 1974. Over the last 130 years, Johnson & Johnson’s expertise has helped it to evolve into a leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company. Johnson & Johnson Singapore is known for its pharmaceutical and medicinal products provided by Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals. It is also known for supplying Johnson & Johnson’s consumer healthcare products which focuses mainly on products ranging from babycare to haircare and lotions. Johnson & Johnson has been named on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list as a Top 50 All-Stars entity for twenty consecutive years. In 2022 it was ranked No.1 on the Pharmaceutical Industry list for the ninth consecutive year and is listed in the top twenty of the Top 50 All-Stars list.
NOVARTIS (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
Novartis Singapore is a branch of the Swiss-based global company Novartis Holding, which was formed with the merger of the two Swiss pharmaceutical companies, Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz in 1996. With a focus on healthcare, Novartis Singapore is known for its clinical trials research studies for the purpose of finding better ways to treat and prevent diseases. It is also known for its therapeutic areas unit which has developed and marketed over 50 products in leading therapeutic areas. These include Cardio Metabolic, Ophthalmology, Immunology & Dermatology, Oncology, Cell and Gene therapy and Neuroscience. Each area has a team that provides services and solutions, or products needed. Novartis Singapore has been recognised for its expertise by The Strait Times and Statista Singapore’s Best Employers 2020, HR Excellence Awards of 2019 for Excellence in CSR Strategy and Singapore HEALTH Awards’ Corporate Merit Award category in 2017, to name a few.
ABBOTT LABORATORIES (SINGAPORE ) PRIVATE LIMITED
Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) is a subsidiary that was incorporated in 1970 and is known across the Asia-Pacific region for its expertise in providing science-based nutritional products, medical devices, diagnostic tools and branded generic pharmaceuticals. With the aid of The Abbott Nutrition Asia-Pacific Research and Development Center in Singapore's Biopolis Research Park, the Asia Pacific hub, Abbott Laboratories Singapore is currently at the forefront in science and innovation. It is known for being a nutritional manufacturing facility providing its services to aid the growth of the company across Asia. It is recognised for its numerous achievements that include earning double the average mark in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry for its social, economic and environmental performances. It has also been honored by Fortune magazine as one of its World’s Most Admired Companies for its seventh year and has been included in its “Change the World” list in 2018 to name a few.
BAYER (SOUTH EAST ASIA) PTE LTD
Bayer (South East Asia) is a subsidiary of the Bayer Group which was established in 1863 in Barmen, now a district of the city of Wuppertal, in Germany, as a company which manufactured and sold synthetic dyestuffs.Today it is a life science company with three divisions: pharmaceuticals, consumer health and crop science. Based in Singapore, Bayer (Southeast Asia) was incorporated in 1979 and it is well known for its pharmaceutical products that are supplied and traded for industrial and commercial use. The Pharmaceuticals division also has a focus on researching, developing and marketing specific medicines that provide notable clinical benefits and value in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, gynecology, oncology, hematology and ophthalmology. Bayer has been honored numerous times for its notable achievements in healthcare.
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ASTRAZENECA SINGAPORE PTE LTD
Astrazeneca is a global biopharmaceutical company based in the UK, which focuses on discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medications. This is primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapeutic areas which are Oncology, Respiratory & Immunology and Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism. Astrazeneca Singapore is a leading biopharmaceutical company that specializes in these three areas. Notably, 86 percent of employees have mentioned that Astrazeneca Singapore is a great place to work.
ROCHE SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
Roche Singapore is a subsidiary of the Swiss-based Roche Company and Group which was incorporated in 1973. Roche Singapore is known for its research-focused healthcare services and a combined focus on both pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, thereby providing medication and diagnostic tools that enable noticeable changes in the patient’s health, quality of life and survival. For its Pharmaceuticals sector, it extended its focus to the Disease Biology Areas that are Oncology, Inflammation, Metabolic disease, Virology and Central nervous system. Roche Singapore is the hub for Roche Diagnostics for the Asia-Pacific region including Japan. Roche Technical Operations is a Singapore-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Roche, established in 2009. Roche Singapore plays an important role in Roche’s Global Manufacturing Network, and it is the first company for making licensed biotherapeutics in Singapore using recombinant DNA technologies.
SANOFI-AVENTIS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
Sanofi-Aventis Singapore is the Asia headquarters of the Sanofi company, which was formed as a result of the merger of Sanofi, Synthélabo, Hoechst and Rhône-Poulenc Rorer in France. Sanofi-Aventis Singapore not only functions as a head office in Asia but also houses both a strong clinical research unit which supervises clinical trials conducted all across Southeast Asia, and its manufacturing facility which is known for producing pharmaceutical active ingredients that are used only in vital Sanofi projects worldwide. It is known to be a trusted health journey partner in Asia for half a century.
PFIZER PRIVATE LIMITED
Pfizer Singapore is a branch of the global US-based biopharmaceutical company Pfizer, and it was incorporated in 1964. It manufactures and develops healthcare products to advance wellness with treatments and cures and pursues a focus on the prevention of diseases. Pfizer Singapore’s Research and Development services aid in the overall functioning of the company, namely, providing a range of medicines for therapeutic areas that include vaccines, oncology, immunological disorders, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, rare diseases and mental health. Pfizer Singapore extends its services to the global health markets through partnerships with global institutions and its own global health programs. Its Greener Workplace platform focuses on “greener” projects to conserve energy and the natural resources of the planet.
MSD PHARMA (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
MSD Pharma (Singapore) is the subsidiary of the US-based company MSD (Merck, Sharpe and Dohme. Its origins date back to 1891 as Merck & Co. Inc. as a distributor of fine chemicals in New York. MSD is a partnership formed between Merck & Co. Inc. and Sharpe & Dohme; its Singapore branch is the hub for the Asia-Pacific region. The research division of MSD Pharma (Singapore) has a focus on addressing many worldwide medical needs. It focuses on various areas such as diabetes, infectious diseases, vaccines, oncology, cardiovascular/sleep disorders/women’s health and animal health. MSD Research Labs provide biomedical research services that develop new theories, drugs and vaccines to help the healthcare sector. MSD Pharma (Singapore) is well recognised for its manufacturing services for medications and vaccines which are marketed to over 140 countries. MSD Pharma’s Singapore IT hub is focused on digital innovation for better healthcare.
Top Singapore Large Local Enterprises in Pharmaceuticals Companies
iX BIOPHARMA LTD.
iX Biopharma is a Singapore-based company formed in 2008, whose early operations focused on acquiring intellectual property rights, for the invention of a fentanyl citrate nasal spray for patient-controlled analgesia. Today it is listed as a specialty pharmaceutical company that takes a specific focus on the development and commercialisation of innovative therapies for the treatment of painful chronic diseases and health issues in the healthcare sector. iX Biopharma’s products include pharmaceutical products which are built on its WaferiX platform technology, nutraceutical products and medicinal cannabis products. Its cannabis wafers were recognised as the CBD Product of the Year 2020 category for the Australian Cannabis Awards. Its latest achievement in 2021 was to seal an agreement with its subsidiary Seelos Therapeutics Inc., which has a focus in therapeutics for central nervous system disorders. Its agreement was to license its leading drug Wafermine and provide other products that utilize its WaferiX technology.
HYPHENS PHARMA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Hyphens Pharma International Limited is the specialty pharmaceutical and consumer health Group for ASEAN countries. It is established directly in five countries: Singapore where its headquarters are, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. They are strengthened by the marketing and distribution network of 10 countries through four business entities which are Hyphens Pharma, Pan Malayan Pharmaceuticals, Ocean Health and Novem. Amongst its achievements is being mentioned by The Strait Times for being the first e-pharmacy to be registered in Singapore under the Health Sciences Authority. Pan Malayan Pharmaceuticals was awarded an e-pharmacy license for its WellAway Pharmacy by
the Health Sciences Authority.
HOCKHUA TONIC PTE. LTD.
Hockhua Tonic was originally a wholesaler of the herb, American Ginseng that was imported from Canada, which led to the development of the company, to become known for its herbs, medicines and health products. Its early operations began with stores for Hockhua Tonic, Hockhua Herbal Tea, Oriental Herbal Tea and fresh fruit stores and, today, the Hockhua Group has restructured its operations. The Hockhua Group is comprised of Hockhua Holdings with 7 subsidiaries and Hockhua Tonic. Hockhua Tonic opened its first retail outlet in 1989 and currently has 53 stores that market its traditional tonics and remedies. It offers a variety of products that range from dried food stuffs, ginseng bird’s nest, especially concocted essences and herbs to abalones, sea cucumbers, fish maw and over 120 types of wines. Hockhua Tonic has received numerous accolades and awards for its achievements including recognition for its excellence in service, manufacturing standards and product quality.
HAW PAR HEALTHCARE LIMITED
Haw Par Healthcare is one of the subsidiaries of the Singapore-based Haw Par Corporation Limited and Group. Its Healthcare business is a strong enterprise that promotes a healthy lifestyle and healthcare products. It is known for its 100 years of expertise in herbal formulation, well known for its Tiger Balm brand. Today, Haw Par Healthcare has developed its range of Tiger Balm products to cater to the current health-conscious market. It is also developing a strategy to expand its healthcare through organic products and growth from new markets. It intends to extend its focus onto the wellness sector that does not rely on pain relief. Its Tiger Balm brand has been awarded numerous accolades including the Heritage Brand Award by the Singapore Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, and it has been chosen by the Design Society’s curatorial team for being one of the most significant icons of Singapore.
ZUELLIG PHARMA PTE. LTD.
Zuellig Pharma Pte. Ltd. is the subsidiary of Zuellig Pharma Holdings and it was incorporated in 1990 in Singapore. Zuellig Pharma Holdings is a healthcare group in Asia that provides its services to make healthcare more accessible. Zuellig Pharma provides a wide range of services for the Pharmaceutical Industry which includes distribution of its products, making sure they are commercially available, payor services that provide cost management solutions, services and advice to aid the customer and patient care services. In 2021, Zuellig Pharma Group was awarded the Gold Medal by EcoVadis, a sustainability ratings specialist.
EU YAN SANG (SINGAPORE) PRIVATE LIMITED.
Eu Yan Sang (Singapore) was founded in 1879 when Singapore was a state in Malaysia, as a family business, which evolved into an established tin mining and rubber plantation business. With 142 years of expertise, Eu Yan Sang is now a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCD) Group known for its focus on providing Chinese medicine, herbs and products. Under its own brand, Eu Yan Sang markets around 900 products, which include best sellers such as Eu Yan Sang’s Bottled Bird’s Nest, Hou Ning Powder, Lingzhi Cracked Spores Capsules and Essence of Chicken. It also provides flagship products such as Bak Foong Pills and Bo Ying Compound, produced from ancient TCM formulas. It has been bestowed with numerous awards which include the MRCA International Exponential Growth Award for 2020, the Sin Chew Business Excellence Award for 2019 and many Malaysia Health & Wellness Brand awards in various categories.
RAFFLES HEALTH PTE. LTD.
Raffles Health is a subsidiary of the Singapore-based Raffles Medical Group which was incorporated in 2003. It is known for marketing and selling health and wellness products and health supplements. It provides a wide range of services that includes health screening, vaccinations, home-based services, health courses and workshops and other services that are provided for legal documents and Traditional Chinese Medicine services. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, it has started providing services for Covid-19 tests. In 2020, the Raffles Medical Group was declared the silver winner in the Healthcare & Pharma category at the Asia eCommerce Awards.
LEUNG KAI FOOK MEDICAL CO PTE LTD
Leung Kai Fook Medical Co. is the company behind the global brand, The Axe Brand, that was created in 1928 in Singapore. With 90 years of expertise, Leung Kai Fook Co’s medical facility, LKF Medical, manufactures and markets healthcare products. These products are used to treat numerous common illnesses which include common colds, headaches, blocked nose, muscular pain and insect bites. From 2019 to 2020, LKF Medical was named Brand of the Year under the Medicinals - Traditional Singapore Category, at The Branding Awards ceremony at Kensington Palace in London.
BORDEN COMPANY (PRIVATE) LIMITED
Borden Company (Private) is a Singapore-based global consumer healthcare manufacturing company which was incorporated in 1960. It is recognised for producing the Eagle Brand Medicated Oil whose origins date back to 1916 when it was distributed by J Lea & Co. Through its R & D section, it has extended its focus to manufacturing healthcare products which include the muscular balm, green and yellow balms, capsicum plaster, muscle rub, Eucalyptus disinfectant spray, inhaler and its Eucalyptus oils range. Some of its recent products are Tea Tree disinfectant spray, Eucalyptus hand wash and Aloe Mint disinfectant liquid to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Borden Company (Private) has expanded its Eagle Brand to a number of countries, Vietnam being its first market outside the Asia-Pacific Region.
PPM MEDICAL PTE. LTD.
PPM Medical is a well-reputed healthcare company that provides a wide range of healthcare services, products and devices which include healthcare consumables, hospital bandages, surgical dressings, anesthetic devices, intravenous devices and disinfectants to name a few. It also has an e-store that provides home care kits and products. It has a partnership with Multigate in the field of medical products for Singapore and Malaysia’s healthcare sectors.
Top Singapore SMEs in Pharmaceuticals Companies
PHARMATECH RESOURCES (FE) PTE. LTD.
Pharmatech Resources (F) is a Singapore-based global distribution solutions provider that was established in 2002. It is known for offering distribution services and necessary solutions and products that suppliers need in their businesses for the Pharmaceuticals sector of the Asian market. Its products range from therapeutic drugs, medical supplements, skincare and haircare to medical devices. Pharmatech has featured four brands which are AUSKIDS, Dhaxtra Softgel, CurQlife and NATAL CARE TRIPLUS. It launched The RehabMagnetic Therapy Center, becoming Singapore’s first ever Diamagnetic Therapy Center for Pain Management. Its latest venture is its successful merger with Advanced Medi Mart to become Pharmatech-Advanced Medi Mart.
HST MEDICAL PTE LTD
HST Medical is a Singapore-based brand that was incorporated in 1994. With a focus on health, it is a global supplier of medical supplements that are produced by bringing together professionals from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western pharmacological backgrounds. It provides a wide range of products that includes pain relief balm such as Rheuma-Salve’s pain relief balm, kids vitamins such as Zoo Vite’s kids vitamins, joint and immunity supports, and beauty supports to name a few. HST Medical operates the Essentials Pharmacy and the Heritage TCM Clinic whose products are available at MUSTAFA Singapore, National Health Group Pharmacy, Watsons, Guardian, Essentials Pharmacy, and Nishinos. It also offers an e-store to provide its medical products to other countries.
ALL LINK MEDICAL & HEALTH PRODUCTS PTE LTD
All Link Medical & Health Products is a Singapore-based manufacturer and marketer of healthcare products that was established in 1991. It started out marketing healthcare apparatus and imported Chinese medicine and, in 2001, it extended its focus to manufacturing healthcare products by establishing its manufacturing facility. All Link Medical & Health Products launched its own brand of products, “AL全连” which manufactures and distributes a wide range of over 100 products of Traditional Chinese Medicine and health supplements to Chinese hospitals, medical halls and departmental stores across Singapore. Its main distributors are OG Orchard Point, OG People’s Park, Yue Hwa Main Store,Yue Hwa Jurong Point, Metro Woodlands, Metro Paragon and selected Unity Stores. It also has an online store with promotions and sales for its medical supplements and products.
THYE SHAN MEDICAL HALL PTE LTD
Thye Shan Medical Hall was founded in ChinaTown, Singapore, in 1955, to provide quality medicines and services. Being located in ChinaTown caused the business many ups and downs. It even survived World War II and many crises including the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, and SARS in 2002. Throughout its 60 years of expertise it has provided quality Traditional Chinese Medicinal products and services to its three Singapore outlets. It supplies its products to other outlets locally and internationally as well and also has an online store with sales and promotions. For its years of expertise, Thye Shan Medical Hall has been presented Heritage Enterprise’s Heartland Enterprise Star Award in 2014 by Minister Heng Swee Keat, and it was also named A Heritage Brand by Chinatown Business Association (CBA) in 2012.
TRUEGENICS PTE. LTD.
TrueGenics, which was established in 2005, is a Singapore-based healthcare company, which was originally set up as a shop near ChinaTown. TrueGenics is focussed on manufacturing health products to change the future of health through hard work and dedication.
PHARMED IMPORT & EXPORT PTE LTD
PHarMed Import & Export is a Singapore-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company, established in 1984, which was originally set up as a retail store. Its store provided a wide range of products including several well reputed healthcare brands. Its product SKU covers a range of items from pharmaceuticals, skin and personal care and supplements to medical devices. It also became a wholesale distributor that imports and exports its products when it partnered with Palmers, a well-known skincare range from the US, and to import medicinal products from Europe to be distributed to hospitals, private clinics and specialist centers. It has joint ventures with some important companies such asUtrogestan® and Oestrogel®, to provide a wide range of pharmaceutical products, supplements for kids and adults, and medical devices for personal use. It also has an online delivery service and an online store to aid in the distribution of its products.
HSIEHS BIOTECH (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
HSIEHS BIOTECH (Singapore) is a Singapore-based corporation that was established in 2005, after the successful experiment of combining “lycopene” and “resveratrol” which occurred after years of researching these two antioxidant compounds. These two compounds formed "GOLDEN LYPRES®" which had unknown health benefits. HSIEHS BIOTECH creates products that are formed with the aid of its R & D division whose research of tropical plant resources led to producing formulations of natural compounds. In 2009, HSIEHS BIOTECH launched its own brand “GOLDEN LYPRES” locally and globally, making Singapore its main distributor and exporting country. “GOLDEN LYPRES” has received a number of awards and certifications which include being honored with the “Gold Product for Public Health Award” in 2017 and winning the Gold Medal for Public Health.
ALCARE PHARMACEUTICALS PTE LTD
Alcare Pharmaceuticals is a Singapore-based medical product distributor and wholesaler which was established 1983. It began as a retail pharmacy that eventually grew to become a wholesale trader and is known for secondary assembling and distribution of medical devices and therapeutic products. It also maintains strategic and useful partnerships with other reputed manufacturers and suppliers to create more diverse ranges of medical devices and products. It also includes an online store to purchase the products it offers. Alcare Pharmaceuticals has received multiple awards and accolades such as the SME 100 Awards in 2019, Republic Polytechnic’s 2017 award for its Learn and Earn Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and FLEX’s Global Citizenship Week Award of 2017 to name a few.
HUAY FENG HANG PTE. LTD.
Huay Feng Hang’s origins date back to 1988 when this healthcare company was established in Singapore as an importer and exporter, distributor and wholesaler of a range of medical and health products. With 30 years of expertise, it has had a special focus in producing and marketing Traditional Chinese Medicinal products and health food products. Huay Feng Hang is well known for its signature Huiji Waist Tonic which is especially made for working professionals, breastfeeding mums, children aged 7 and above and elders. Huiji Waist Tonic has become Singapore’s No1 Waist Tonic brand by winning the Unity Popular Choice Award’s TCM Supplement category for six years consecutively from 2009 to 2015.
MEDIC DRUGSTORE PTE LTD
Medic Drugstore is a Singapore-based retail medical store that was established in 1979 to provide daily necessities and healthcare products, starting out as a friendly neighborhood store and growing to cater to a varied clientele of professionals, managers, executives and business owners (PMEBs) and families. Medic Drugstore also supplies daily essential medical products to corporations and companies. It features numerous brands including Biocalth, Healtheries, Eagle, Fitchecks, NZ Health Naturally and Nature’s Green, to name a few. Its online store not only offers a delivery service but also special promotions and discounts through the store’s Family Customer Membership Programmes that are exclusively available for online purchases.
Top Singapore Fastest growing companies in Pharmaceutical Industry
COMPAI PHARMA PTE. LTD.
Compai Pharma, which was founded in 2017, is a Singapore-based global provider of healthcare products and devices through its services and its strategic partnerships. It is known for its product MonoFer® which is used to treat iron deficiency for patients with or without anaemia, when orally given iron supplements are ineffective or simply cannot be given. Compai Pharma has also extended its reach across the region by establishing a subsidiary in Malaysia.
EYWA PHARMA PTE. LTD.
Eywa Pharmais a Singapore-based global generic pharmaceuticals company that was established in 2015. It has established subsidiaries in India, Europe and the USA. Eywa Pharma offers accessible and affordable quality medicines which the company manufactures, covering many therapeutic areas and dosage forms, ranging from capsules and tablets to oral suspensions and solutions. It has also extended its services by starting strategic partnerships through its subsidiaries and has its own brand of products in the USA and in the UK. For its achievements, it has been featured in The Economic Times and the Business Standard.
RAFFLES HEALTH PTE. LTD.
Raffles Health is a subsidiary of the Singapore-based Raffles Medical Group which was incorporated in 2003. It is known for marketing and selling health and wellness products and health supplements. It provides a wide range of services that includes health screening, vaccinations, home-based services, health courses and workshops and other services that are provided for legal documents and Traditional Chinese Medicine services. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, it has started providing services for Covid-19 tests. In 2020, the Raffles Medical Group was declared the silver winner in the Healthcare & Pharma category at the Asia eCommerce Awards.
ABG PHARMA PTE. LTD.
ABG PHARMA is a Singapore-based distributor of pharmaceutical products that was incorporated in 2017. Partnering with its US and European producers, it collaborates with doctors, pharmacists and scientific institutions to develop pharmaceutical and food supplement products. ABG PHARMA and its partners distribute their European quality pharmaceutical products and European food supplements which contain natural herbal extracts, vitamins and mineral elements. One of its high-quality manufacturing partners is Capsugel.
NOVO NORDISK PHARMA (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
Novo Nordisk Pharma (Singapore), established in 1997, is a subsidiary of the Denmark-based healthcare company, which was founded in 1923. With almost 100 years of expertise, Novo Nordisk Pharma places special emphasis on the treatment of diabetes and chronic conditions such as obesity, rare blood diseases and rare endocrine diseases. With 80 offices worldwide, its products are marketed in 169 countries, and it produces 50% of the world’s insulin supply. Novo Nordisk (Singapore) partners with key stakeholders to lessen the social and economic impact of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity on the local community.
NATCO PHARMA ASIA PTE. LTD.
Natco Pharma Asia is a subsidiary of Natco Pharma, an R & D focused pharmaceuticals company that was incorporated in 1981 in Hyderabad, India. It manufactures, develops and markets active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage formulations. Natco Pharma Asia was established in 2012 in Singapore, and it is responsible for the direct sales and registration of Natco’s products in the Asian market. With over 35 years of expertise, it is especially known for its cancer-care and for providing active pharmaceutical products and finished dosage formulation products to the Asian market.
INTEGA PTE. LTD.
Intega Pte. Ltd. is one of Intega Health’s three branches for the South East Asia region. Intega Health is a pharmaceutical and healthcare specialist dedicated to providing accessible and cost-effective healthcare, quality pharmaceutical medicines and treatments, healthcare devices and hospital and customer solutions. It also provides commercial support and market-entry solutions such as strategic partnerships with manufacturers to support its healthcare services.
PASTURE PHARMA PTE LTD
Pasture Pharma Group is a Singapore-based global pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing company, which was established in 1997 to provide solutions, products and services. It has three business divisions. The Pacific Biosciences division provides backend support and pharmaceutical supplies to international clients, and it also focuses on Research and Development of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. The Pacific Pharmacy division is known for its pharmacy outlets as well as a Pasture Pet Pharmacy. This division is also a supplier of medical products to the Marine and Aviation Industries. Pasture Pharma’s third division is the Pasture PharmaHub which is known for its marketing and distribution services as a wholesaler for pharmaceutical products and medical devices internationally. It has been mentioned in the media numerous times for its medical products, notably for its n95 masks during the current pandemic.
BRIGHT CHEMICALS PTE. LTD.
Bright Chemicals is a Singapore-based company whose origins in the Pharmaceuticals Industry date back to 1987. It manufactures products which contain active pharmaceutical ingredients and provides medical services. It maintains strategic partnerships with various partners such as APIs from other countries to mainland China, and Zhejiang Yongning Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for pharmaceutical active ingredients, advanced intermediates and import finished products to the European market.
LUNDBECK SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
With more than 70 years of expertise, Lundbeck Singapore is a branch of its pharmaceutical parent company that was founded in Denmark in 1915. It is a pharmaceuticals company with a keen focus on brain diseases. It provides R & D services that aid in manufacturing, developing and marketing pharmaceuticals around the world.
