Why this A*STAR scientist from Japan has been doing R&D in Singapore for 30 years

Dr. Masafumi Inoue arrived in Singapore from Japan 29 years ago. Since then, he’s witnessed firsthand the transformation of Singapore's R&D landscape, including being a part of the team developing COVID-19 diagnostic test kits when the global pandemic struck.

His journey from a visiting researcher to Senior Principal Scientist at the Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD Hub), a national platform hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), offers a unique perspective on Singapore's evolution into a global hub for research and development (R&D).

Through Dr. Inoue's eyes, we explore how Singapore's collaborative ecosystem, supportive government policies, and state-of-the-art facilities have created an environment where groundbreaking innovations can rapidly move from concept to reality.
 

Government and scientists work together for rapid innovation and deployment

Singapore's R&D ecosystem is designed to facilitate rapid innovation and test-bedding. This was exemplified during the onset of the novel coronavirus in January 2020, when Dr. Inoue and his team developed the novel coronavirus diagnostic test kit “Fortitude” in just two days. The speed of development was matched by the government's agility in approving its use.

"By early February, it was already being used to test several hundred people per day. This was the result of smooth cooperation between the government - including A*STAR, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), and the National Research Foundation (NRF), which oversees national R&D funding - and us scientists, acting as one team," says Dr. Inoue.

Normally, the use of test kits requires layers of approval and the time to widespread deployment usually takes a few months. However, the Singapore government established a provisional authorisation process to enable rapid use of test kits at the initial stage of the novel coronavirus spread. This allowed Fortitude to be authorised for use in an unprecedented three days from application. Mass production began immediately, and it was provided to medical sites.
 

Leverage a robust R&D and innovation ecosystem

As a hub for global businesses that is well-connected to markets worldwide, Singapore is a launchpad for companies that want to commercialise and scale new innovations globally.

In the case of the Fortitude diagnostic test kit, more than 12 million tests have been used in over 40 countries worldwide. This was made possible through DxD Hub and A*STAR’s collaboration with MiRXES, a Singapore-headquartered biotechnology company.

When global supply chains were disrupted, Dr Inoue’s team worked with MiRXES, which typically handles gastric cancer test kits, to mass produce Fortitude. Since then, MiRXES has been solely responsible for the production of Fortitude and has continued to supply test kits domestically and internationally.
 

A global hub for collaborative innovation

In addition, the research environment at DxD Hub where Dr. Inoue works also greatly supported the development of the test kit.

DxD Hub is situated within Biopolis, an international R&D hub where many public research institutions and pharmaceutical manufacturers are located. Dr. Inoue says that DxD Hub and A*STAR offices are not far from the NRF, National University of Singapore (NUS) (ranked 8th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024), and large general hospitals across the island. This proximity facilitates smooth cooperation between the government, private sector, and academia.

"Even during lunch, I meet various people, and from those conversations, new ideas are inspired, or collaborations are born,” he says. To Dr Inoue, the support of management has also been a positive factor.

"The people in charge basically listen well, and there is also financial strength, so it's an environment where research concepts are easily realised."

The two scientists working directly with Dr Inoue are born-and-bred Singaporeans and while they communicate in English, “I’ve never had any problems due to language or cultural differences, and teamwork is good,” he says.

"The lab staff are excellent and all diligent,” he adds.
 

A thriving ecosystem for international companies

In recent years, an increasing number of Japanese companies have begun to establish R&D bases in Singapore, to benefit from Singapore’s investments into its R&D and innovation ecosystem.

Examples include major general contractor Kajima Corporation, heavy industry giant IHI, pharmaceutical company Chugai Pharmaceutical, business solution provider FUJIFILM Business Innovation, major construction company Takenaka Corporation, and chemical manufacturer Toray.

Singapore places importance on the development of science and technology, with A*STAR at the centre, and the government has developed a system to protect intellectual property rights. In the “International Property Rights Index (IPRI) 2023" by the U.S. non-profit organisation Property Rights Alliance, which ranks the status of property rights protection in each country, Singapore received the highest evaluation in Asia-Oceania for intellectual property.

The city-state has also introduced policies like Research and Innovation Scheme for Companies (RISC) to subsidise companies' research activities and tax exemption measures related to research. Such national efforts are also factors that enhance Singapore's status as an R&D hub.

"We researchers also sometimes conduct joint research with Japanese companies expanding into Singapore. DxD Hub and A*STAR also supports companies in commercialising test kits by conducting market research, including analysis of market trends and technology trends," said Dr. Inoue.

Dr. Inoue has not only conducted such joint research but has also contributed to scientific exchanges between the two countries for many years, including providing guidance on attracting companies to the Japanese government from the standpoint of a researcher.
 

With world-class infrastructure, a talented workforce and commitment to driving innovation, Singapore continues to solidify its position as a leading global R&D hub, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the future.
 

This article was originally produced for BRIDGE - EDB’s Japanese newsletter.