Many life sciences occupiers, including those in Singapore, face challenges in finding space that meets their business requirements. According to JLL’s Life sciences in Asia Pacific: A booster for growth report, demand for quality space is outstripping supply and life sciences firms are willing to pay a premium for buildings with green credentials.
Singapore has long identified the life sciences industry as a growth sector, setting up designated parks to cater to the sector’s real estate needs. Today, the Singapore Science Park (SSP) and Biopolis in one-north are two thriving biomedical science clusters with green-certified buildings. On the other hand, Tuas Biomedical Park has been established as Singapore’s pharmaceutical and medical technology manufacturing hub.
Singapore Science Park and Biopolis
Depending on the nature of the research, life sciences companies may require dry and/or wet laboratories (labs). Dry labs, suitable for activities like computer-assisted experiments, have less stringent requirements than wet labs that require additional features like drain and exhaust services due to the handling of drugs, chemicals and other liquid substances.
CapitaLand’s SSP 1 and 2 have purpose-built spaces with specifications like multiple floor traps for easier dry or wet lab configurations and high floor loading to accommodate lab and research equipment. There are also converted units which are smaller and suitable for firms with less stringent physical requirements.[1]
Over at Biopolis, besides JTC’s specialised lab units, there are also space options at private developments like The Kendall, Nucleos, Synapse and Amnios.
Figure 1: Examples of existing developments with R&D lab space options
Source: Ascendas REIT, JLL Research
Tuas Biomedical Park
The 280-ha Tuas Biomedical Park in western Singapore features a “plug-and-play” design and caters to firms looking to set up customised manufacturing facilities. This is complemented by JTC’s ready-built facility – JTC Space @ Tuas Biomedical Park – which provides industrial and lab space for industrialists serving the park and the Tuas South industrial area nearby.
To date, 14 global biomedical companies, including Abbott, AbbVie, Amgen, CIBA Vision, Novartis and Pfizer, have established their manufacturing facilities in the park.[2] Sanofi’s new vaccine facility – expected to be ready in 2026 – will also be located within the park.
Pipeline supply will cater to the growing demand for quality green space
According to JLL’s life sciences report, Singapore is one of four identified life sciences city hotspots in the Asia Pacific region where demand for space until 2025 is likely to be strong.
The Tuas Biomedical Park will continue to cater to life sciences manufacturing firms with built-to-suit requirements. Meanwhile, those seeking quality spaces for lease (e.g., to set up their labs) can look forward to three upcoming developments slated for completion between 2023 and 2025.
Targeting Green Mark Platinum certification, Solaris @ Tai Seng (a high-specification industrial development), Elementum in Biopolis and the redeveloped 1 Science Park Drive within the SSP are expected to add over a million sq ft of new space for the life sciences industry. This will cater to the growing demand for quality green space by life sciences firms for their biomedical R&D activities and support the growth of Singapore’s life sciences industry going forward.
Figure 2: Major upcoming industrial developments with space for the life sciences industry
Source: Soilbuild, Ho Bee Land, CapitaLand, JLL Research
Figure 3: Examples of locations with space options for life sciences R&D and manufacturing
Source: JLL Research
[1] Source: “Science Park 1 & 2: Spaces designed for success and innovation” by CapitaLand
[2] Source: JTC
