Current location site: Singapore

In Singapore’s competitive market, launching a startup can be a daunting challenge, but for some, the potential for innovation outweighs the risks.

While startups are valued for their innovative ideas and agile way of operations, they often face challenges that their bigger competitors might not, such as securing funding and having the right support to grow their business. These hurdles can hinder their ability to expand and scale effectively.

Startups within Singapore’s science and innovation industry are no different.

However, despite these obstacles, the industry has still witnessed a remarkable amount of growth, with many businesses thriving within this landscape.

The key to this?

It lies in companies like Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS, which play a pivotal role in nurturing these startups.

In this Eyes on the Future article, we explore how the first-of-its-kind Universal JLABS, an incubator set up by Johnson & Johnson Innovation (J&J Innovation) in collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), supports early-stage healthcare startups to bring transformative innovations to market, driving improved patient outcomes and scientific advancements.

Empowering Entrepreneurs; Igniting Innovation

Singapore’s life sciences landscape has progressed rapidly over the years, with the country emerging as a prominent regional hub for biotech and medtech startups. 

A 2024 report by Morgan Philips Group on the future of Singapore’s Healthcare Industry found that while the life science market in Singapore continues to see growth, the demand for biotech talent continues to outpace supply.

This talent shortage calls for proactive initiatives to attract overseas talent and nurture biotech-related activities in the country.

Launched in Singapore in October 2023, JLABS was set up in collaboration with the Singapore EDB to accelerate transformation within Singapore’s life sciences and innovation ecosystem.

Through providing startups with access to capital-efficient lab space and resources, JLABS aims to support promising biotech, medtech, and digital health companies in bringing their innovative solutions to market.

These startups can tap on JLABS’ expertise and reputation as the largest global network of life science startups, investors, and corporate partners. International companies looking for an entry point into Singapore’s thriving life sciences ecosystem will also benefit as part of JLABS' ecosystem.

Consequently, these open doors to innovative medical solutions, accelerating scientific progress and improved patient outcomes within Singapore and the region.

Setting Startups Up for Success Through Mentorship

While startups often have brilliant ideas, it takes a team and extensive time and effort to translate them into solutions or tangible products. It can be a daunting task for new entrepreneurs to embark on, both from a financial and business perspective.

JLABS addresses these challenges with its Mentorship Program. Entrepreneurs under this program are tagged to a dedicated mentor from Johnson & Johnson, a “JPAL”, who provide guidance and support in areas such as business development, fundraising, regulatory compliance, and scientific advice.

From AI to immunology and robotics, these entrepreneurs will be connected with subject matter experts who share their passion in bringing innovative solutions to patients and consumers.

Building a strong network is also essential for startups to gain a competitive advantage. As part of JLABS’ network, the startups get a chance to build and foster relationships with industry stakeholders, including other incubators, EDB, A*STAR, Enterprise Singapore, SGInnovate, and venture capital firms.

We know that we need to embed ourselves into the thriving ecosystem so that we can set the stepping stones on behalf of our companies.

Dr. Alessandro Falcone, Regional Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS Singapore

A Growing Portfolio in Singapore

To date, JLABS has incubated over 1,070 companies globally, with 25 new additions to Singapore's growing portfolio. Of the 25 additions in Singapore, 15 are pharmaceutical companies and 10 are in medtech.

Since JLABS’ launch in Singapore, they have received a huge number of applications to become a JLABS company in Singapore, shares the team.

To become a JLABS company, there are a few things we look out for. (1) The science and/or technology needs to be compelling; (2) It needs to solve an area of significant unmet medical or market need; (3) It needs to be backed by a credible science and technology team; (4) It can meet the financial obligations of the license agreement

Some of the startups under JLABS Singapore’s incubation include CinoCore Health and Rebee Health.

CinoCore Health, a digital health startup, harnesses AI and Big Data to bring precision medicine to the next level for patients with chronic critical and/or rare diseases.

Also known as personalised medicine, precision medicine takes an innovative approach towards treatment and disease prevention, taking into account an individual’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

As for Rebee Health, the medtech physiotherapy-focused startup aims to redefine the rehabilitation journey for post-operative patients and those facing chronic pain.

With Rebee’s wearable sensors and digital platform which leverages the latest IoT technologies, patients can recover better, safer, and faster. 

Operating in the Heart of Innovation

To cultivate the next generation of healthcare innovators in Singapore, JLABS recognises the importance of working within a research, development and technology hub.

Working within a research, development and technology hub can have a profound impact for our employees and portfolio of companies, including having access to the appropriate infrastructure and networking opportunities.

Dr. Alessandro Falcone, Regional Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS Singapore

Sitting in the same regional office as the Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacific headquarters at Ascent within Singapore Science Park 1, the JLABS team enjoys enhanced accessibility towards J&J’s network and expertise.

Its strategic location within Singapore Science Park places them near prominent institutions and companies in the life science community, including National University Hospital (NUH), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), APACMed, and Hummingbird Bioscience. This proximity provides numerous opportunities for ecosystem-building for its portfolio companies.

Support systems are vital in empowering life science startups to navigate the saturated market and ultimately lead them to success. With some companies relocating from overseas, having the option to be located in the same hub as JLABS offers a tight support system and better engagement opportunities with the team and potential collaborators. 

Besides the ecosystem and networking opportunities they currently enjoy, JLABS is also looking forward to Geneo, Singapore Science Park’s newest life science and innovation cluster. 

The new R&D and tech cluster comprises five Grade A buildings with a total gross floor area of 1.94 million square feet. It features work-live-play elements, including around 39,000 square feet of retail, dining, and lifestyle amenities across three levels at the event plaza.

As part of Singapore Science Park's revitalisation, Geneo will add to the park's vibrancy, providing tenants with a holistic environment for relaxation and community engagement after office hours.

Enhancing The Employee Experience

Engaging employees is a key factor that most companies tend to overlook, despite it being one of the key drivers to running a company successfully.

Singapore Science Park’s ecosystem development does not just happen. It is the result of an intentional and collaborative approach, which includes active community and tenant engagement events and a comprehensive understanding of the scientific environments that are needed for these companies to thrive.

The community engagement initiatives hosted by Singapore Science Park are greatly appreciated by our employees. The Lohei New Year event hosted by NUS Enterprise and Singapore Science Park, and the other regularly curated programs have helped foster a stronger sense of unity within the Singapore Science Park community.

Dr. Alessandro Falcone, Regional Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS Singapore

Spearheading the Future with Innovation

Through hosting events and providing access to networking opportunities, resources, and expert guidance, JLABS serves as a pivotal platform for nurturing startups and driving breakthrough discoveries in the science and biotech industry.

If you are a biotech, medtech or digital health life-science start up interested in becoming a JLABS Singapore company, apply here. Find out more information about JLABS here.

Looking for a space that caters to your R&D and operational needs? Check out Geneo, Singapore Science Park’s newest life sciences and innovation hub, and explore CapitaLand's diversified portfolio of properties here.