biotech-and-life-sciences
Short Answer: If your business is registered in Singapore, has at least 30% local equity, and is financially ready to start and complete a project that drives growth or transformation, you likely qualify.
But let’s break it down clearly.
What Is the EDG?
The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) supports Singapore-based companies in upgrading, innovating, and expanding overseas. It covers costs related to:
- Consultancy
- Equipment and software
- Internal manpower
It’s administered by Enterprise Singapore and is one of the most versatile grants available.
EDG Eligibility Checklist
Here’s a quick way to know if your company qualifies:
| REQUIREMENT | DETAILS |
| Business Entity | Registered and operating in Singapore |
| Local Equity | At least 30% held by Singaporean(s) or PR(s) |
| Financial Health | Able to start and complete the project |
| Project Status | Must not have started before application |
| Project Type | Must fall under one of the 3 supported categories (see below) |
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
Your project must fall under one of these three strategic categories:
- Core Capabilities
- Business strategy development
- Financial management
- Human capital development
- Strategic branding and marketing
- Innovation & Productivity
- Process redesign
- Automation
- Product development
- Market Access
- Overseas market expansion
- International branding
- Market entry strategies
How Much Funding Can You Get?
- Up to 50% of eligible costs for most projects
- Up to 70% for sustainability-related projects (until 31 March 2026)
Funding is reimbursed after project completion and audit.
Learn more about the EDG here
Not Sure If You Qualify?
FI Group Singapore offers free eligibility assessments. We’ll help you:
- Identify the right grant
- Prepare your application
- Maximise your funding
Contact us for a free consultation
In a bold move that reaffirms Singapore’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of global biotechnology, the government’s Budget 2025 has earmarked a $1 billion envelope to be shared between the modernization of the one-north area, including the iconic Biopolis research hub, and with the creation of R&D facilities for the semiconductor industry. This investment builds upon a remarkable 20-year journey that has transformed Singapore from a pharmaceutical manufacturing outpost into a thriving ecosystem for biotech, life sciences, and medtech innovation.
The Rise of Singapore’s Biotech Powerhouse
Singapore’s ascent in the biotechnology sector is no accident. It’s the result of a carefully orchestrated strategy that has positioned the city-state as an irresistible destination for global biotech firms, researchers, and investors.
Here’s why Singapore has become a magnet for the industry:
1. Strong Government Support
The Singaporean government has been instrumental in fostering the biotech ecosystem through various initiatives:
- Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) Plan: The Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) plan is a cornerstone of Singapore’s strategy to develop a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy, updated every five years, with the latest iteration being RIE2025.
- Economic Development Board (EDB) and Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR): These agencies provide grants, partnerships, and infrastructure support to biotech startups and multinational corporations.
- Biopolis and Fusionopolis: Purpose-built campuses that offer state-of-the-art facilities for biomedical research and innovation.
2. World-Class Infrastructure
The development of Biopolis has become a global benchmark for innovation clusters. Housing over 500 biotech companies, Biopolis facilitates collaboration between public research institutions, biotech startups, and multinational pharmaceutical giants.
3. Talent Development and Attraction
Singapore has invested heavily in developing a skilled workforce for the biotech sector. The country now boasts five times more biomedical researchers per capita than the US, with 128 biomedical researchers per 100,000 residents in 2018. (source: Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy)
4. Pro-Business Environment
Singapore’s robust intellectual property protection, business-friendly regulations, and strategic location as a gateway to Asian markets make it an ideal base for biotech companies looking to expand globally.
5. Collaborative Ecosystem
The “triple helix” model in Singapore intertwines academia, industry, and government, fostering rapid innovation and commercialization. This is evident in initiatives like the Industry Alignment Fund – Industry Collaboration Project (IAF-ICP), which supports strategic R&D collaborations between public research performers and industry partners.
Additionally, explore Collaboration as the Key to Innovation: Lessons from Singapore’s R&D Ecosystem for insights into how collaboration drives innovation.
Looking to enhance your biotech innovation?
At FI Group, we help businesses access R&D tax incentives, innovation grants, and government funding.
Talk to our experts and discover how we can support your growth.
Funding Innovation: Singapore’s R&D Incentives
ingapore’s biotech boom is fueled by a robust framework of public funding opportunities for R&D and innovation. Key initiatives include:
- Research and Innovation Scheme for Companies (RISC): Offered by EDB to support companies to establish or expand R
r&D center or Innovation lab within the island. - Industry Alignment Fund – Industry Collaboration Project (IAF-ICP): Supports strategic R&D collaborations between public research institutions and industry partners.
- Concessionary tax rate such as the Pioneer Certificate Incentive (PC) & Development and Expansion Incentive (DEI) which encourage companies to grow capabilities and conduct new or expanded economic activities in Singapore.
These funding mechanisms, coupled with Singapore’s strategic vision and world-class infrastructure, have created a fertile ground for biotech innovation. The recent $1 billion investment announced in Budget 2025 for the modernization of one-north, including Biopolis, signals Singapore’s intent to maintain its position as a global leader in biotechnology for years to come.
Singapore’s commitment to fostering innovation, attracting global talent, and providing robust funding mechanisms ensures that it will remain at the cutting edge of biomedical breakthroughs, driving advancements that promise to reshape healthcare worldwide.
For a full breakdown of support measures, see Budget 2025: Unlocking Singapore’s Innovation Potential.
How FI Group Supports Biotech Innovation in Singapore
As Singapore’s biotech industry continues to flousrish, companies in this sector need expert guidance to navigating the complex landscape of R&D incentives and financial strategies. With a deep understanding of local regulations and incentives, we assist businesses in optimizing their R&D investments and leveraging available grants and tax incentives opportunities.
To find out more about how your business can benefit from Singapore’s R&D incentives, download our comprehensive handbook: R&D Grants and Tax Incentives for International companies in Singapore.
Singapore isn’t just keeping up with the global biotech and MedTech revolution—it’s leading the charge. With a thriving ecosystem of cutting-edge research, government-backed funding, and world-class infrastructure, the city-state has become a magnet for companies driving the future of healthcare, genomics, and medical technology.
In 2025, biotechnology breakthroughs are transforming everything from genomic medicine to sustainable biomanufacturing, while MedTech innovations are revolutionizing diagnostics, patient care, and digital health solutions. Here’s a look at the key trends shaping these industries and how Singapore continues to solidify its position as a global hub for healthcare innovation.
1. Biotech: Advancing Genomic and Cell-Based Therapies
Singapore’s biotech sector has seen rapid advancements, particularly in genomic research and cell-based therapies. Leading institutions and startups are pushing the boundaries of genetic medicine and synthetic biology, unlocking new treatments and sustainable biotech applications.
Key Innovations in 2025:
- CRISPR and Gene Therapy: Singaporean scientists are pioneering next-generation CRISPR-based treatments, offering hope for patients with genetic disorders like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, inherited cancers, and rare diseases.
- Sustainable Biomanufacturing: Startups are leveraging synthetic biology to develop eco-friendly alternatives to plastics, fuels, and pharmaceuticals, positioning Singapore at the forefront of sustainable biotech solutions.
The Biopolis R&D hub, home to over 500 biotech companies, continues to be a driving force in research and commercialization, fostering collaboration between academia, startups, and global pharma giants.
2. MedTech: Transforming Healthcare Delivery
The MedTech industry in Singapore is redefining patient care and diagnostics through the integration of AI, real-time monitoring, and digital health technologies. These innovations are improving accuracy, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing patient outcomes.
Key Innovations in 2025:
- AI-Powered Diagnostics: Singapore-based MedTech firms have developed AI-driven tools that analyze medical scans and detect diseases in hours instead of weeks, improving early detection rates for stroke, cancer, and rare conditions.
- Wearable Biosensors: Advanced smartwatches and biosensors now offer real-time monitoring of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, reducing hospital visits and empowering patients with proactive healthcare management.
- Seamless Digital Health Integration: Singapore’s nationwide health-tech ecosystem ensures that hospitals, healthcare providers, and wearable devices are interconnected, streamlining patient data sharing and remote monitoring.
With a growing emphasis on personalized medicine and telehealth solutions, Singapore is shaping the future of healthcare delivery on a global scale.
3. Empowering Biotech and MedTech Companies Through Public Funding
The Singaporean government plays a pivotal role in fostering these industries through initiatives like:
- RIE2025: The Research, Innovation, and Enterprise 2025 plan allocates SGD $25 billion to strengthen research infrastructure, emphasizing Biotech and MedTech.
- Trargeted Grants: The Singaporean government offers specific grants to support research, product development, and commercialization within the biotechnology and medical technology sectors.
- Tax Incentives: The government offers significant financial relief for R&D investments.
However, navigating these funding programs can be complex—and that’s where FI Group Singapore comes in. Accessing financial incentives requires expertise in eligibility, compliance, and application processes. FI Group Singapore specializes in helping Biotech and MedTech companies:
✔ Identify Funding Opportunities – We analyze your projects to match them with the most relevant grants, tax schemes, and public funding programs.
✔ Simplify Applications – Our team handles the paperwork and compliance requirements, so you can focus on scientific breakthroughs and product development.
✔ Maximize Financial Benefits – We ensure that your company gets the full financial support available, optimizing R&D incentives for sustained growth.
Explore a Real World Success Story
Curious about how medtech and biotech companies in Singapore are leveraging innovation and R&D incentives to stay ahead? Download our free case study, where we showcase how a leading Medtech company secured government funding to drive business growth with FI Group’s help.
Download the Case Study Here and discover actionable insights that can help your business innovate and scale in Singapore’s thriving precision Medtech and Biotech sector.
