Biomed Wars Episode 2- Dr Lee Strikes Back

With only 5 years of experience in the Biomedical Industry, Singapore is relatively new in this sector. Yet, much disagreement has already manifested over Singapore’s biomedical sector’s (BMS) strategy.

At present, the Government’s BMS strategy involves undertaking research in a wide spectrum of biomedical fields. Some, such as Dr Lee, believe that Singapore is fighting the campaign on too many fronts.

His message: Singapore’s limited resources are spread too thinly over wide areas of research. Singapore should focus on niche areas, instead of competing with bigger companies on big-name research, where they have lower chances of success.

So what’s the significance of this?

If Singapore adopts Dr Lee’s view on the biomedical strategy, Singapore would become specialised in areas of research where they have a competitive advantage, resulting in reduced focus on other “non-niche areas”. According to Dr Lee, this would rope in greater financial and medical benefits.

Dr Lee’s approach comes in the light of the limited resources that Singapore has. Adding on to Singapore’s lack of experience in the biomedical field, Dr Lee feels that Singapore has a slim chance of success if it continues to fight on so many fronts. Dr Lee fears that this would result in a large wastage of the country’s and taxpayers’ money, without assurance of success. Furthermore, the current “venture capitalism” and commercialisation approach discourages collaboration among researchers in different fields, further straining Singapore’s limited resources.

The irony present, however, is that Singapore is doing well with its current BMS strategy. Last year, the BMS grew a staggering 30.2% to $23 billion in manufacturing output. This number is expected to hit $25 billion in 2015. With such success, there is no reason to change the current BMS strategy.

Aside from this, opponents argue that Singapore should be given more time to identify its true forte. By committing towards carving out a niche, Singapore limits its area of research and loses opportunities, especially when unpredictable breakthroughs occur in other “non-niche areas”. This can be seen when we apply this in a more diverse context in the future. Firstly, foreign investors and companies in Singapore will be reduced to those from niche areas, while education will start to concentrate on the study of these subjects. This would cause niche areas to develop tremendously, and other areas to deteriorate rapidly, creating a precarious situation for the BMS. If the venture fails, Singapore wouldn’t have any other areas of research to fall back on, resulting in the inevitable demise of the BMS. This cogently shows the importance of giving the BMS time to identify its true forte, and engaging in broad-based research to give Singapore a strong foundation to fall back on.

Having not worked in the biomedical field before, my response above does have its limitations and blind-spots. My views may be influenced by the media and the government (who supports the BMS initiative) and may therefore be prejudiced. I believe that both sides have important and relevant views that should be seriously considered, in ameliorating the BMS strategy.

See article at:
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/170703.asp