Biopolis , Singapore

The Biopolis in Singapore is a new custom-built biomedical research and development hub at One-North, Buona Vista. One-North has 183ha and will be developed over 15–20 years for the benefit of a range of disciplines.

The development is situated adjacent to the National University of Singapore, the Institute of Technical Education, the Singapore Polytechnic, the National University Hospital, the Singapore Science Park, Ministry of Education, and also Fusionopolis (this is another R&D centre for electronics and technology).

The Biopolis campus was conceived to provide space for biomedical research which could promote collaboration between private companies and public scientific/educational bodies. Biomedical sciences (BMS) account for 6% of Singapore's GDP and BMS manufacturing output is over $23bn (Singaporean).

Biopolis complex phase I and II

The Biopolis development is being undertaken by JTC Corporation (appointed in September 2000) and is requiring an investment of over $500m (Singaporean). The phase I complex has a cluster of seven sky-bridge connected buildings that are eight to 13 storeys high. The phase I complex was opened in 2003 and has a floor space of 185,000m².

The seven buildings are called Chromos, Helios, Centros, Genome, Matrix, Nanos and Proteos. Chromos and Helios are used by biomedical companies from the private sector and the other five buildings house public sector biomedical research agencies from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

Phase I houses over 2,000 personnel, with 95% occupation. Phase II of the Biopolis consists of a further two seven-storey buildings, Neuros and Immunos (research into neurology and immunology) and was opened in 2006 costing $70m and offering a further 37,000m² of floor space (now 80% occupied). Between phases I and II the total floor space occupied is 220,000m².

Tenants of the complex include pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, as well as biotech firms like SingVax and CombinatoRx. Another important company, Austrianova, is located in the biopreneur lab at A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute.

Biopolis phase III

The Crescendas Group started construction on the third phase of Biopolis on 2 April 2008.

The Biopolis Phase III project, a designated multi-tenanted biomedical research facility, was earlier awarded to Crescendas Group by JTC Corporation under a design-build-own-operate tender with a 30+30 years lease term. Crescendas Bionix Pte Ltd, a member of Crescendas Group, is the vehicle for the project. The consultants for this phase of the project are Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd.

Biopolis Phase III, which is scheduled for completion by the last quarter of 2009, comprises two buildings which measure 41,505m² in total. It will yield space for laboratories, research facilities, offices and retail operations. The buildings of five to seven storeys will share two interconnecting basement levels.

The estimated investment for the development, excluding land premium and rent, approximates to $100m.

Biopolis Phase III is intended to extend basic research activities into other segments of translational and clinical research as well as medical technology research, to tap onto the synergies within the Biopolis cluster.

The architectural design maximises the use of daylight, and the façade will reduce direct sunlight on the building and minimise the heat gain. Green features of the building will include the courtyard garden and a sky garden.

On 25 January 2010, JTC Corporation announced the fourth phase of Biopolis. Scheduled for completion by 2012/13, the fourth-phase will include improvements to lab design for clinical trial support. Construction of this phase will cost between $80m and $100m, raising the total cost of Biopolis to $700m.