Genomic data management and analytic solutions company announced in November 2019 for Singapore to be its forefront for Asia Pacific activities.
BC platforms commemorated the occasion with a launch event, jointly hosted with the Finnish Government (Business Finland) and IQVIA on the 13th of November 2019. The event was a seminar focusing on Precision Medicine and its transformations in healthcare and life sciences using genomic data.
The seminar was attended by leading authorities in genomics including Professor Tai E Shyong, Director, Centre for Precision Health, National University Health System, Singapore, and Dr Kathleen Barnes, Head of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine in University of Colorado and took place at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Dr. Minna Hendolin, Director, for Health and Wellbeing at Business Finland also spoke at the seminar, discussing the similarities between Singapore and Finland. She shared the digital developments of the Finnish healthcare system as well as the importance of digital data for improving healthcare.
BC Platforms’ investment plans include establishing a team of experts in a Singapore-based entity covering regional sales, customer service and R&D functions. The company is already collaborating with IntERPreT, a not-for profit, pre-competitive, engagement initiative for industry players to help develop Singapore´s national personalised medicine program.
BC Platforms’ Asia strategy includes a strong precision medicine focus both in the actual healthcare operations as well as in genomics related research. Genomics is becoming a mainstream solution for improved clinical decision making. In parallel BC Platforms aims is to build cohort studies representing Asia’s rich multi-ethnicity that is of interest from a medical perspective; partnering with key institutions in the local ecosystem is essential in establishing world leading genomic data management and interpretation infrastructure.
“Singapore checks all the boxes in all essential elements. It has an active life science community and ecosystem where research and healthcare is very collaborative in trying to make a difference.” Commented Mr. Tero Silvola, CEO of BC Platforms.
Mr. Nino da Silva, EVP Asia and APAC, commented: “We are excited to establish a presence in Singapore, the gateway to Asia, which is the fastest growing market within Precision Medicine. The rising middle class in this region has greater expectations for more effective, personalised medicines and we have been impressed by the strong governmental commitment to facilitate genomics related research and innovation using genomic and clinical data. Singapore provides a very vibrant and business friendly environment for us where we can recruit talent and grow our business.” [APBN]