Singapore: Malaysia-based biotech park Bio-XCell and Singapore's biotech association, BioSingapore, have collaborated to spearhead the biotechnology industry's development by promoting cross-border alliances between life sciences and biomanufacturing communities in Iskanadar, Johor and Singapore.

The inaugural collaboration will explore how Bio-XCell and its clients, and BioSingapore members can derive benefits from each other. For example Bio-XCell and its clients can benefit from the technical and professional services provided by BioSingapore members and BioSingapore members can take advantage of the benefits provided by locating themselves at Bio-XCell.

The collaboration would promote both location and its merits in relation to the biotech industry to their respective members, contacts and databases.

Mr Rizatuddin Ramli, CEO, Malaysian BioXCell, said, "Bio-XCell is pioneering in catalyzing an integrated ecosystem and this connection with BioSingapore would leverage on each other's expertise to develop innovative biotechnology products by Asians for Asians, before setting to global markets. We aim to foster a holistic ecosystem for the creation of prodigious businesses from good sciences.

He further said, "In our continuous effort to pave the way forward in creating a sustainable ecosystem, we will continue to connect and leverage with key biotechnology industry players to be a key benefit for our clients and partners to populate further and enhance a conducive value-chain and networks for biotechnology in ASEAN ".

Mr Simranjit Singh, chairman, BioSingapore, said, "Both Malaysia and Singapore have put great emphasis on developing the Biomedical sciences industry as the next economic growth engine. The establishment of BioXCell in Iskandar and the world class infrastructure found in Singapore such as Biopolis and the Tuas Biomedical Park can serve as a nexus for Biomedical sciences companies to grow and thrive in this region."

He further said, "Singapore's core strengths of R&D, technical services and intellectual property management coupled with Malaysia's focus on biomanufacturing and logistics could be a potent combination for Biomedical companies. I do believe that this represents an excellent opportunity to replicate the successful model of the Medicon Valley (Denmark & Sweden) in Iskandar and Singapore. BioSingapore aims to partner with BioXCell to encourage cross border alliances & business expansion opportunities for both Singaporean and Malaysian Biomedical companies."