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FOCUS MAGAZINEJanuary 2014

CAN SINGAPORE BE CONSIDERED ABIOMEDICAL HUB IN SOUTHEAST ASIA?

Singapore has enjoyed fast growth in botheconomic and political power, driven by acombination of a rapidly expanding eco-nomy, innovation and a talented workforce.

In the life sciences sector, Singapore hasattracted research and development byproviding incentive programmes and beingat the forefront of intellectual propertyprotection. As a result, many pharma-ceutical companies, biotech companies aswell as Clinical Research Organisationsnow manage their regional operationsfrom Singapore.

A robust economy has also enabled thegovernment to pledge high investments inR&D activities. Singapore’s sophisticatedtransportation and communication infra-structure, advanced regulatory frameworkand local professionals with expertise inmanaging regional projects and opera-tions offer a very favourable environmentfor biomedical activities and make it theplace of choice in Southeast Asia.

The Singapore government has also beenplaying an important role in investing andbuilding local clinical research networksto strengthen therapeutic expertise.

The protection of intellectual property (IP)is critical for drug development andSingapore ranks third in the WorldEconomic Forum’s Global CompetitivenessReport 2010 – 2011 in this aspect.Singapore is reputed for its excellentclinical research facilities and capabilities.The country plays a strategic role indeveloping Good Clinical Practices in Asia.

Of course, Singapore’s inherent challengeis a small population of just over fivemillion.

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES CLINACTISENJOY AS A NICHE PLAYER IN THISINDUSTRY RATHER THAN AMULTINATIONAL COMPANY?

Global Clinical Research Organisations(CROs) are large organisations that benefitfrom strong infrastructure and applyinternational quality standards but theyusually lack understanding of Asia’sspecificities, lack flexibility and have highcosts due to their heavy structure. Unlikemultinational CROs, ClinActis is a regionalCRO exclusively focused on Asia Pacific.We manage and coordinate multi-countryclinical trials in the region from theSingapore hub.

ClinActis has very solid expertise inapplying international quality standards toregional specificities. We have extensiveexperience in clinical research and aproven track record in setting up andrunning operations for both CROs andpharma companies in the Asia Pacificregion.

Moreover, ClinActis is able to provide faircosts with country-specific rates. Cognizant

of the increasing R&D costs, expiringpatents and pricing pressures in health-care markets, ClinActis is able to supportsponsors in leveraging the benefits of AsiaPacific, with lower regional infrastructurecosts, a flexible costing structure, andregional, country-specific costing.

AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, WHAT WERETHE MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGES TOOVERCOME ON YOURENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY?

The main challenge for a new player in themarket is obviously to create awareness ofthe company and to build scale as rapidlyas possible. As we are privately owned, weneed to ensure that we generate sufficientcash to fund our own development.

WHAT ARE CLINACTIS’ NEXT STEPS?

So far, ClinActis has successfully proventhe concept of a regional CRO specialisedin Asia Pacific. ClinActis has built anetwork of highly experienced clinicalresearch professionals in the countrieswhere it is present. We have been able towin the Asia Pacific leg of global projectswith several international pharma andbiotech companies in different therapeuticindications, with cost effectiveness and fullsatisfaction from our clients, thanks to ouruncompromising approach to quality.

The objective is to now leverage thispotential and step change the company’sscale. This will be achieved throughenhanced sales and marketing activities toconsolidate the awareness of ClinActis inthe US, Europe and Asia Pacific. ClinActiswill also continue geographical expansionin the region. F

The Singapore government has also been

playing an important role in investing and

building local clinical research networks

to strengthen therapeutic expertise.

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Singapore, a Biomedical Hub inAsia PacificInterview with Christophe Tournerie, Founder & CEO, ClinActis