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In a significant development for Singapore’s biopharmaceutical industry, the Biologics Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (BioPIPS) consortium has recently expanded its membership, welcoming another global immunotherapy company into its fold. This expansion marks a pivotal moment for the consortium, which already boasts the participation of other renowned pharmaceutical giants, alongside leading research institutions such as the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU), NTUitive, National University of Singapore (NUS), and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).
Under the leadership of A*STAR and with the steadfast support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the BioPIPS consortium endeavours to elevate Singapore’s capabilities in biologics manufacturing. The consortium’s primary focus lies in enhancing productivity and sustainability within the sector, to transform the existing landscape of biologics production in Singapore.
The BioPIPS consortium is set to address three core workstreams:
Sensing and Modelling: By leveraging machine learning, mechanical modelling technologies, and smart sensors, the consortium aims to streamline workflows, enhance processes, and boost productivity through data analytics integration.
Sustainability: The consortium will tackle sustainability challenges in biologics and vaccine manufacturing by exploring novel materials, circular economy approaches, and resilient supply chain models, aiming to reduce reliance on single-use equipment and promote environmental stewardship.
Compliant Agility: With a focus on automation and advanced analytics, the consortium aims to eliminate manual tasks in manufacturing facilities to achieve greater productivity while ensuring compliance with regulations. This includes the adoption of robotics and other solutions to streamline technology transfer, product production, and validation processes without compromising on quality or compliance standards.
BioPIPS extends an open invitation to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large local enterprises, and multinational corporations to join as service and technology providers. By participating in the consortium, these entities can contribute to the translation of cutting-edge technology developed within the consortium.
This collaborative approach facilitates access to shared resources, fosters the development of new capabilities pertinent to biologics production, and accelerates the advancement of technologies within the sector.
Membership in the BioPIPS consortium offers companies the opportunity to respond swiftly to sudden spikes in demand for biopharmaceutical products, particularly during times of crisis such as a pandemic. This agility not only enhances patient access to life-saving medications but also ensures greater resilience within the biopharmaceutical supply chain.
In its nascent stages, the BioPIPS consortium laid the groundwork for its initiatives by signing a MoU in 2022. Since then, consortium members have engaged in exploratory discussions facilitated by A*STAR and EDB. These discussions have centred on identifying manufacturing challenges and delineating problem statements for potential research projects.
Key areas of focus include the utilisation of data analytics to optimise manufacturing processes and the development of agile and sustainable solutions for biologics manufacturing. These initiatives underscore the consortium’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to drive positive change within the biopharmaceutical industry.
Professor Lim Keng Hui, from ASTAR, is optimistic about BioPIPS’ transformative potential in Singapore’s biopharmaceutical sector, aligning with ASTAR’s commitment to technological innovation and Singapore’s Manufacturing 2030 vision.
Ms. Cindy Koh, from EDB, echoed Professor Lim’s remarks, underlining BioPIPS’ role in bolstering Singapore’s global standing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Through collaborations with local enterprises and educational institutions, the consortium aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies in this sector. As Singapore continues to assert its leadership in the biopharmaceutical sector, the expansion of the BioPIPS consortium heralds a new era of collaboration and innovation in biologics manufacturing.
By harnessing the collective expertise of its members and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the consortium is poised to drive significant advancements in productivity, sustainability, and resilience within the industry.
