Collaboration can bring about solutions that cannot be produced in-house alone. The real challenge often lies in finding the right partner with the right competencies. Mase International Marketing Services, a leading distributor of cosmetics and toiletries in Asia, had previously found a partner via IPI’s network to develop a novel dye ingredient for a new range of hair dye products that limits hair damage and retains colour for a longer period.

Established in 1976, Mase International Marketing Services started off as a distributor of hair colour products. Over the years, the company has grown to become a leading distributor of cosmetics and toiletries products in Asia. Mase places great emphasis on innovation in Research & Development (R&D) in its hair products and is the only Singapore SME in this field with an R&D facility focusing primarily on hair dyes and hair growth formulations.

VolitionRx Ltd is a Singapore-registered life sciences company that develops novel, early diagnostic tests for cancer and other conditions. Its patented technology is based on the identification and quantification of increased presence of specific nucleosomes that are released into the bloodstream or other bodily fluids, as a result of cell death associated with certain diseases including cancer.

With Singapore’s population, of those 65 years and above, projected to triple from 8% in 2000 to 24% in 2030, developing solutions that enhance the independence and improve the quality of life for the elderly is crucial. InnoPal is a Singapore-based startup company specialising in developing innovative and cost effective healthcare and wellness products and services.

Founded by Glen Hinshaw, Intelligent Mobility Pte Ltd (IM) is a local start-up company incorporated in Singapore with products for healthcare and sports applications. IM’s products include custom insoles, 3D foot scanning, and a new generation of wireless foot pressure and heating monitoring insoles.

The Biofactory, a biomedical incubator supported by Singapore Polytechnic, aims to create successful biomedical companies from Singapore-developed technologies. Recently, it has also been recognised as an incubator under the National Research Foundation’s Technology Incubation Scheme (TIS).

The Biofactory’s key objective is to create more product-owners by bringing more Singapore-developed biomedical technologies, spin-offs and start-ups to the market. Of four start-ups established, two have been launched internationally in 2011.