RSA logoOur services
 

RSA launches Far East expansion with new office

RSA has opened a new office in Singapore to help find senior staff for the country's burgeoning life sciences industry.

When fully occupied, the futuristic complex of research institutes in the south west of the country, known as Biopolis, will be home to 2,000 scientists. Many thousands more already work in Singapore in academia, biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing, clinical development and sales and marketing.

Nick Stephens, chief executive of RSA, said: "Our job will be to help local organisations find the key senior staff they need, including pharmaceutical executives, professors of medicine and directors to run the research institutes."

Initially, senior management and those with specific technical knowledge will have to be recruited from Europe and the US, as there is insufficient indigenous, qualified talent. But once the senior players are on board, they can then start the process of training people from the local area.

Nick Stephens said: "Singapore is an exciting place to springboard our Asia-Pacific operations. The government's priority is to make Singapore the life sciences hub for the Asia Pacific region. We have been given a warm reception by them - as well as senior academics and commercial people – and they are keen to access RSA's expertise and experience."

RSA believes people will be keen to work in Singapore because of the country's enormous potential as a regional hub, its investment in science, and the quality of the work they will be able to undertake. They will also be able to enjoy an excellent quality of life.

Nick added: "Singapore has decided that it is going to concentrate on life sciences and biotechnology and they have already attracted some of the best scientists in the world to support this."

Singapore's bid to become a prime location for clinical trials in Asia is being aided by a US$884 million government-backed research programme which started in July. It aims to drive discoveries made in the lab into clinical trials as quickly as possible. Their focus will be on four key areas – clinical pharmacology, oncology, gastroenterology/hepatology and cardiology.

Copyright 2008 RSA | Terms of Use | Data Protection