Innovation Mission to Singapore SUMMARY

The Life Sciences Innovation Mission officially launched in Singapore with a warm welcome at co11ab Novena, a premier biomedtech incubator. Frank Choo, Manager, Partnerships and Outreach, introduced our delegation to the intricacies of Singapore’s healthcare system. 

A collaborative lunch set the tone for a week of partnership-building, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Alvin Ng (RMIT Activator) and featuring Dr. Anselm Tan (ClavystBio) and Dr. Rosa So (A*STAR I²R), focusing on innovation, support systems, and bilateral collaboration. 

We concluded the day with a cultural and networking highlight: dinner at Lau Pa Sat and a rooftop reception overlooking Marina Bay, fostering early relationship-building under Singapore’s skyline. 

Our mid-week agenda was filled with exposure to key players in Singapore’s deep tech landscape: 

• Enterprise Singapore shared how government programs support healthcare innovation and market entry. 
• Delegates attended Sustainable Innovation Asia 2025, SDTA’s flagship event, showcasing four emerging deep tech startups. 
• A visit to iHealthtech at the National University of Singapore included a session with Dr. Ali Asgar Bhagat on healthtech development and commercialization. 
• The group met with Trade Commissioners Andrew Threlfall and Yun Wen Siow to discuss market access and government support tools. 
• At a session hosted by Asia Market Entry, delegates were introduced to The Workshop by EDB, which provides entry support for companies expanding into Asia. 
• The day ended with a facilitated exchange session between Canadian delegates and local startups/investors. 

Our final days were marked by meaningful milestones and shared visions for the future: 

• At A*StartCentral, we explored how to scale successful deep tech startups. 

• Delegates met with Ontogenix to review market navigation strategies, including regulatory and distribution challenges in Asia. 

• An MOU was signed between Deep Tech Canada and the Singapore Deep-Tech Alliance, represented by Dr. Marie D’Iorio and Clara Chen respectively. Special thanks to Trade Commissioner Andrew Threlfall for supporting this key moment. 

• The mission concluded with a debrief session and lunch at Gardens by the Bay, providing time to reflect, share insights, and solidify relationships built throughout the week.