James Ng

Enterprise Singapore just concluded the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology, featuring many promising deep tech startups seeking to make a positive impact in different domains. In healthcare, be it biotech, medtech, digital health, we are working with various local and global partners to support their growth journey. A short video below with some of our partners to spread this message. Reach out to us to discuss collaborations 🤝 Benjamin Seet Khoo Shih Jeffrey Lu Mikael Hartman JianMing Tan

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Reflections on Board Directorships(1/...) While with DBS Bank(1984-2000), was appointed to chair DBS Computer Services (DCS) to provide services and help to other organisations (local and overseas). One major work was to reluctantly accept the request of 2 young brothers who have been educated in the US on databases and wanted to built a e-commerce platform during the internet craze of 1990s. They needed a payment module to complete the proposed business transaction. However, being pioneers and young my only advice to them was if they were ever successful, they would need to keep being the main shareholder no matter how tempting the offers from potential investors. So we started a JV with $2 and agreed on a 51/ 49 ownership ratio with the 2 young guys making the choice to let DCS have 51 % ownership. This was an exceptional experience for me as the boys managed to get international investors putting in high valuation for something they see as Lazada in the making. All DCS did was to supply the payment module developed for the JV. Eventually one of our new foreign leader decided that DCS should sell their shares in the JV earning millions of dollars in 2 years. To note that DCS has ownership of the payment module which was eventually sold to NETs. The great success story for the young guys was that the company was valued at 500mill usd when they attempted to list the company on Nasdaq. The guys divested portions of their shares and eventually the company was controlled by another majority shareholder who ended up using the company to sell software packages. The young investors totally divested and put their money into properties in China. Other efforts of DCS were to help the banks in the region including China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Mauritius in their computerisation efforts. DCS learnt to price software solutions and provide training to allow once off support with knowledge and skills transfer. I must say my educational background in Cost and Management Accounting came in useful for this work. Perhaps, I will do another post on the usefulness of this tertiary education to Technology projects and overall management. DCS work goes into development and exposure to good staff who enjoyed these aspects of work.

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"Western medicine, the cornerstone of modern healthcare systems, has achieved remarkable success in treating diseases and improving quality of life. Yet, it faces increasing challenges—most notably, the soaring costs of care, which have placed a growing financial burden on individuals globally. This trend has only intensified since 2000, revealing a critical limitation: mainstream healthcare systems have reached a bottleneck, stagnating in their ability to effectively address the holistic health needs of diverse populations". Join GIFT's ASIA Young Leaders Programme to understand People-to-People diplomacy and exchange through unlocking access to healthcare for the global majority. DM me or GIFT.

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I'm very passionate about quality and timely healthcare provision. Perhaps it is because all of us will need access to healthcare at some point in our lives, and as patients, what is most important in our care is firstly getting the quality of care we need and when we need it. Therefore, it is reassuring to see from the Philips Future Health Index 2024 that healthcare leaders in APAC are taking bold and thoughtful changes to deliver better care for more people. The report highlights key strategies such as improving operational efficiencies through workflow prioritization, data integration, and AI-enabled innovation to improve patient care. An interesting finding is APAC healthcare leaders’ growing interest in adopting generative AI, a trend that could significantly shape the future of healthcare. Whether you are in the healthcare industry or not, the report is an interesting read and may have different takeaways. For healthcare professionals, it offers insights on how to improve patient care. For organizational leaders, it provides strategies for enhancing operational efficiencies. And for all, it offers a glimpse into how we can expect the future of healthcare to unfold. I would love to connect if you would like to discuss more, you can read the full report findings here. https://lnkd.in/gJ9Q9Kfp #Philips #Healthcare #FutureHealth

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Unlocking Capital for Climate Solutions, A Look at Temasek Holdings' Bold Approach Over the weekend, I came across an insightful article about unlocking capital for climate solutions, using Temasek Holdings, a global investment company headquartered in Singapore, as a case study. This was an inspiring read, as I was introduced to the concept of inclusive capitalism, which calls for a more equitable and sustainable system where long-term value is created for the benefit of all stakeholders. I was truly impressed by Temasek’s purposeful commitment to addressing climate change and the challenges that accompany it. The company unveiled a sustainable living trend-aligned investment portfolio valued at an astounding $32.6 billion USD. This portfolio targets key areas such as food, water, waste, energy, clean transportation, and materials. My immediate thought was, this is an enormous amount of capital dedicated to climate-focused investments! It clearly showed that large established investors can incorporate the principles of inclusive capitalism while tackling global climate challenges. However, this level of commitment requires willingness by the investor, driven by the understanding that climate change affects us all. We live in an interconnected world where environmental impacts in one area can create ripple effects, affecting people, businesses, prices, and ecosystems globally, much like a domino effect. Beyond the size of the investment, Temasek has set an ambitious target of reducing its portfolio emissions to net-zero by 2050. To support this goal, the company is embedding carbon costs into its investment and operational decisions, encouraging innovations that optimize resource use while minimizing social and environmental impacts. Some of the innovative companies included in Temasek’s sustainability-aligned portfolio are: 1. Mahindra Electric (India) – a leader in electric vehicles. 2. A partnership with Ascend Elements (US) focused on scaling clean energy. 3. Neoen (France) – a major player in renewable energy. 4. And, support for companies in traditionally high-emitting sectors to help them transition toward more sustainable practices. The above initiatives by Temasek are not just about financial gains but they generate jobs, build resilience in local communities, and contribute significantly to global climate objectives. While Temasek’s efforts are commendable, the article highlights a significant gap between current investments and the global need. To transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, the world needs an estimated $7 trillion USD in annual investments from 2022 onwards. Despite this staggering figure, Temasek’s bold move sets a strong example, encouraging other companies to follow suit. As the saying goes, “the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time” and in this case, carbon emissions are that elephant. #climatechange #inclusivecapitalism

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Happy to read in The Straits Times this morning how Made-In-Singapore 🇸🇬 medical devices 🩺 is contributing to the growing industry, which is estimates to hit US$225 billion (S$304 billion) by 2030 in Asia alone. From the article, Singapore produced : 💉one in 10 contact lenses used globally 💉one in five cardiac-related global implants such as surgical structural heart valves, pacemakers and stents. 💉half the mass spectrometry systems used worldwide to test for a range of things such as drugs or food contamination and 90% of gene chips that allow scientists to evaluate and store large amounts of genetic data. #MadeInSingapore #QualityToTrust #Medtech #MedicalDevice https://lnkd.in/g4SCER64

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One in 10 contact lenses used globally comes from Singapore, as does one in five cardiac-related implants such as surgical structural heart valves, pacemakers and stents. The Republic also produces half the mass spectrometry systems used worldwide to test for a range of things such as drugs or food contamination, and 90 per cent of gene chips that allow scientists to evaluate and store large amounts of genetic data. Made-in-Singapore medical devices are not the only ones punching above their weight in this growing market that the Economic Development Board (EDB) estimates will hit US$225 billion (S$304 billion) by 2030 in Asia alone.

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At the recent MedTech World Singapore Roadshow, I had the privilege of joining Daniel Ting, Dario Heymann, PhD and moderator Shwen Gwee for a panel on "The Crossover We Thought We Won't Need: Generative AI in MedTech" - exploring how this technology is reshaping healthcare in both unexpected and surprising ways. At Advanced MedTech, we're harnessing Gen AI across three key areas: digital community engagement, clinical therapeutics, and operational efficiencies. Our UroGPT™ platform for kidney stone patients exemplifies this approach, offering personalised, interactive conversations that engage patients whilst reducing urologists' follow-up workload. The key to successful Gen AI adoption in healthcare lies in addressing the most pressing challenges in patient journeys and clinical workflows. This focus naturally drives adoption, benefiting both patients and physicians. We also tackled the evolving regulatory landscape. At Advanced MedTech, we've adopted an agile approach that prioritises patient safety and ethics. UroGPT™, for instance, is designed to complement, not replace, healthcare providers' expertise leveraging Gen AI to enhance patient care whilst alleviating the burden on healthcare providers. I'm grateful to Shwen, my fellow panelists and all the event attendees for their valuable insights. This experience reinforces my belief that we're entering a new era in healthcare – one where technology and human expertise can work in harmony to deliver better outcomes for our patients. #MedTechWorld #GenerativeAI #HealthcareInnovation #AIinHealthcare

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Great session this week with the team from National University Health System to study the possibilities of Digital Twins to build the future of hospital operations. #Reimagingpatientexperience

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Optimizing patient journeys in Malaysia’s healthcare sector is essential to improving satisfaction and operational efficiency. Rising patient expectations and increased hospital foot traffic demand seamless, data-driven solutions. Malaysian patients in public hospitals report average wait times of over 45 minutes, with some waiting up to 2 hours for non-critical appointments. Reducing these delays is crucial, as studies show up to 60% of patients list waiting time as a top concern. Large hospitals can be overwhelming; 30% of first-time patients report navigational challenges, which increases stress and delays. Effective wayfinding can drastically improve the patient experience. Here’s how Maskavia is addressing these needs: Real-Time Queue Management: Advanced algorithms dynamically adjust resources, reducing wait times by up to 30% and enhancing patient satisfaction and clinic efficiency. Integrated Wayfinding: Our mobile-based wayfinding system guides patients from check-in to consultation rooms, reducing late arrivals by 20% and supporting multilingual needs in diverse settings. Mobile-Integrated Tools: With 88% of Malaysians using smartphones, our system streamlines appointment scheduling, real-time updates, and reminders, which have increased attendance rates by 20% and improved satisfaction by 25% in similar markets. Data-Driven Resource Allocation: Our solution analyzes patient flow, allowing hospitals to optimize resources and reduce peak wait times by 40%. Proactive Communication: Automated notifications keep patients informed, reducing inquiries by 40% and allowing staff to focus on care. Through solutions like queue management, wayfinding, and mobile integration, Maskavia empowers Malaysian healthcare providers to create a more efficient, patient-focused environment. Learn more at www.maskavia.com. #Maskavia #PatientJourneyManagement #HealthcareInnovation #MalaysianHealthcare #Wayfinding #DigitalTransformation #PatientExperience #HealthcareEfficiency #HealthcareSolutions #Malaysia

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Attended MedTech World Singapore roadshow tonight at the Amazon Web Services (AWS) offices. An interesting overview of the Singapore market and understanding the potential of generative AI in healthcare. Focussing on the former, here are some key takeaways: 🔄 Balanced Collaboration: Successful innovation requires a balance between clinicians and engineers to ensure both medical expertise and technological feasibility are aligned. This balance is present in Singapore. 🌱 Small Yet Rich Ecosystem: Despite its size, Singapore's MedTech ecosystem is vibrant. However, there’s a gap in commercializing beyond Singapore, signaling the need to explore larger regional and global markets. 💡 Financing Gap: There is a financing gap and startups often face difficulties in sustaining growth due to irregular funding, especially in a young ecosystem like Southeast Asia. 🔄 Mature Products Need Pivoting: Products that are too mature may struggle, requiring a pivot. Adaptability is key in such a rapidly evolving space. Often in Singapore the products reach high level of maturity and therefore struggle beyond the border. 👥 680 Million People: With such a large regional population, there’s huge potential—but also significant operational challenges in introducing new products into clinical settings. Key questions remain: does the product reduce burdens, or add friction? 🌏 Regional Clinical Validation: Success in MedTech is not just about conquering the US market. Extending beyond borders is essential, with a focus on regional clinical validation to understand different workflows and needs. 🎯 Listen to Customers: Whether it's overcoming purchasing challenges or forming strategic partnerships, commercialization is a continual process —not just about launching but sustaining innovation. 🚀 Avoid "Pilotitis”: Don’t get stuck in endless pilot projects. Get long term contracts secured early on leveraging successful pilots to negotiate - a pilot without a contract is empty. It's about moving the needle with scalable solutions, and because the cost of getting it wrong can be massive, Singapore is not likely to take risk but rather adopt solutions with caution. These challenges are not unique to Singapore but they are critical to its success. #MedTech #Innovation #Singapore #Commercialization #Healthcare #Partnerships #ClinicalValidation #SoutheastAsia Dylan Attard MD, MRCSI, MEnt.

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Glad to host Health Minister Ong Ye Kung at the opening of our 22nd Singapore Health and Biomedical Congress today. Wonderful to have many partners committing to our collective goal of adding 15 million years of healthy life for our residents in Central and North Singapore!   We were excited by Minister’s announcements on accelerating efforts in leveraging AI and other healthtech for our sector. No let up by National Healthcare Group on this either. We're aligned with MOH’s larger plans. AI will be the next wave of technological revolution, and for NHG, if harnessed well and used responsibly, AI will be a formidable momentum multiplier in achieving our goal. That’s why we're investing further in AI with our Health Empowered by AI Launchpad (HEAL). It will be a one-stop shop for user champions who want to use AI, and the engine room to drive NHG-wide adoption of proven pilots. HEAL will ensure effective decisions, implementation and change management across our cluster to help us consistently and sustainably adopt AI solutions at the enterprise level. It will also act as a guard rail to help balance speed and agility in our implementation with robust governance, validation and safety of data. As we move along, we'll level up our AI literacy and competencies, updating our clinical ops model, SOPs and manpower mix too.    Being a Regional Health Manager, NHG needs to develop knowledge and evidence to enhance care and population health capabilities that are different from those of a healthcare provider to succeed. Training our next generation of healthcare and health workers on operationalising such new knowledge and innovations is a must. It will be multi-specialty, multi-disciplined and multi-professional in nature, encompassing behavioural and data sciences, technology, engineering, and process innovation. I'm thus excited about our new Academic Health System (AHS) jointly set up with Nanyang Technological University Singapore's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. AHS will focus on designing evidence-based population health interventions that translate into better prevention, better integrated care, and better cost-effectiveness in the real world to impact our residents’ health and quality of life, enabling us to fulfil our goal of adding 15 million years of healthy life.

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Customers, not Grants! Joan Ng wrote a thoughtful piece in the The Business Times earlier this week, crisply identifying the malady that plagues so many sectors in #singapore. She makes two sharp points about customers- ✅ Big is beautiful- scale matters in so many sectors. Beyond the more favourable economics, big companies win contracts with big customers. The sub-text is Singapore needs our startups to bulk up; a flotilla of tiny ships pales next to an aircraft carrier ✅ Government should be in the business of generating customers- Of course this cannot be for every sector and every company, but the Government has tremendous market-making power beyond its role as a customer and it should exercise this for strategic reasons. Joan describes this eloquently as “a whole-of-government push of the demand engine, starting with the government itself” Enterprise Singapore provides lots of support in grants; how can the rest of government do more as customers and cheerleaders? What would be the modern equivalents of Lee Kuan Yew drinking NEWater in front of a 60,000 audience? I recall also that at least for a time, many government ministries and agencies were serving NEWater at meetings. Cindy Khoo Jeffrey Siow Julian K. #industrialpolicy #startup #sme

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Stagnancy as a doctor/ medical officer is a real issue. Catch my conversation with Dr Hui Mei Lee on what made her decide to leave practicing medicine for health tech. Listen to the podcast on Disruptive Doctors ' Postcall: Beyond The White Coat. https://lnkd.in/gsWHK2wS #healthcare #doctor #podcast #healthtech

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