Biopolis, Singapore

Key Data

The Biopolis in Singapore is a custom-built biomedical research and development hub at One-North, Buona Vista. Situated on 183ha, One-North 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, Singapore Polytechnic, National University Hospital, Singapore Science Park, Ministry of Education and Fusionopolis (an R&D centre dedicated to electronics and technology).

The Biopolis campus was created in order to provide space for biomedical research that could promote the collaboration between private companies and public scientific / educational bodies. Biomedical sciences (BMS) accounts for 6% of Singapore's GDP and BMS manufacturing output is over S$23bn.

Biopolis complex phase I and II

The Biopolis development was carried out by JTC Corporation (appointed in September 2000) and required an investment of over S$500m. The phase I complex has a cluster of seven sky-bridge connected buildings that are 8-13 storeys high. The phase I complex opened in 2003 and has a floor space of 185,000m².

"The Biopolis campus was created in order to provide space for biomedical research."

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. Phase II consists of a further two seven-storey buildings, Neuros and Immunos (for research into neurology and immunology). It opened in 2006 at a cost of $70m and offered a further 37,000m² of floor space.

Phases I and II have a total occupied floor space of 220,000m².

Tenants of the complex include pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, as well as biotech firms SingVax and CombinatoRx. Biotech 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, a member of Crescendas Group, is the vehicle for the project. The consultants for this phase of the project are Jurong Consultants.

Biopolis Phase III, which is scheduled for completion in 2011, comprises two buildings that 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 into the synergies within the Biopolis cluster.

The architectural design maximises the use of daylight, and the facade 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.

Phases IV and V

On 25 January 2010, JTC Corporation announced the fourth phase of Biopolis. Scheduled for completion by 2012 / 13, phase IV will include improvements to lab design for clinical trial support.

"Biopolis phase IV is scheduled for completion by 2012 / 13."

Construction of this phase will cost between $80m and $100m, raising the total cost of Biopolis to $700m.

JTC Corporation announced the fifth phase of Biopolis in June 2010 with the intention of catering to the increasing demand for biomedical research. Phase V will comprise of twin towers spread over a 9,621.4m² area, providing a gross floor area of 46,182m².

Phase V will feature a 1,000m² ready-made laboratory known as Shell-Plus. It will consist of basic laboratory facilities and finished vinyl flooring.

Ascendas was awarded the construction contract for phase V in May 2011 for a value of $87m. Phase V is expected to be completed in 2013.

The Biopolis is a development for biomedical sciences R&D in Singapore.

Biopolis phase III will add a further 41,505m² of rental space for biomedical and pharmaceutical companies.

The Biopolis phase III development will be completed in 2011.

The One-North development has 183ha for development in the LifeXchange region of the park.

Biopolis hopes to unite educational and public research establishments with private companies.

Phase V will feature Shell-Plus, a 1,000m² ready-made laboratory.