Canadian medical technology research and development partnering delegation to Singapore

Delegation dates: October 27 to 31, 2025

Global Affairs Canada (GAC), through the High Commission of Canada in Singapore, and in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), invites you to apply to participate in Canadian Medical Technology R&D Partnering Delegation to Singapore under the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP). 

The Partnership Development Activity (PDA) will occur in-person from October 27 to 31, 2025 in Singapore.

Please note that interested companies must apply no later than June 22, 2025.

Anchored to Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH) 2025, the delegation objective is to explore partnerships between Canadian small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and potential Singaporean partners including: 

• SMEs
• research institutions
• large corporations

The focus of the partnerships are research and development (R&D) collaboration in the life science and medical technology industries. The delegation will focus on technologies and solutions including, but not limited to:

• artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare
• AI-enabled diagnostics & clinical support
• population health analytics
• health IT and hospital optimization
• workflow integration & automation
• biotechnology and precision medicine
• advanced diagnostics & companion tools
• smart coating for MedTech applications
• digital health technologies
• remote monitoring & digital therapeutics
• eldercare & solutions for ageing population
• MedTech & regenerative solutions
• implantable & smart devices
• regenerative therapies & wound care

Participants can:

• engage with potential strategic partners in Singapore and the Indo-Pacific region
• receive guidance on pitching to key stakeholders
• obtain access to funding for qualified collaborative R&D projects that lead to commercialization of new products/services/processes

Interested Canadian SMEs must be capable and ready to pursue joint R&D collaborations, with the goal of future commercialization, such as: 

• validation of Canadian technologies in the Singapore market
• adaptation of Canadian technologies to meet Singaporean and global market needs
• co-development of new products and/or services combining Canadian and Singaporean research and technologies

Canadian companies wishing to participate in the delegation should meet the following requirements:

• profit-oriented, small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) incorporated in Canada
• previous experience in commercializing technology for domestic or international markets
• capacity and interest in co-developing technology with Singaporean partners
• have a strong desire to expand into the Singaporean and Indo-Pacific markets
• sufficient working capital and human resources to undertake multi-year R&D collaboration and commercialize the results

The PDA programming at SWITCH 2025 will include:

• Virtual & In-Person Market Briefings
• Pitch Session
• B2B Matchmaking Program
• Canada Pavilion (shared user space)
• Site Visit(s) / Lab Crawl
• Networking opportunities

Singapore is a regional hub for trade and innovation, offering a strategic gateway to the fast-growing Indo-Pacific market. It has world-class research infrastructure, strong intellectual property (IP) protections, and pro-innovation regulatory environment. Singapore offers an ideal launchpad for co-developing, piloting, and scaling high-impact healthcare solutions across Southeast Asia and beyond. 

Home to over 250 MedTech companies—ranging from global MNCs to dynamic startups—Singapore boasts a vibrant ecosystem. There are more than 30 R&D centres, and annual public R&D expenditure exceeds CAD 1.4 billion. This innovation landscape is underpinned by Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 Plan, which prioritizes Human Health and Potential as one of four national focus areas. Combined with a rapidly ageing population and a digitally integrated healthcare system, Singapore offers strong local demand and collaborative opportunities across clinical, academic, and commercial spheres. 

SWITCH (Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology) 2025 will serve as a flagship platform for showcasing global healthtech and biomedical innovation, connecting Canadian companies with investors, hospitals, corporates, and government stakeholders. This year’s edition carries special significance as Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence (SG60)—offering a timely moment to deepen bilateral innovation ties. Notably, health and biomedical technology is one of the four key themes of SWITCH 2025, alongside sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and digital solutions, underscoring Singapore’s national focus on health and life sciences. For Canadian innovators, SWITCH presents a high-impact opportunity to explore co-development partnerships, tap into strong local demand, and scale solutions across Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) may provide financial support to eligible Canadian SMEs participants for up to 50% of all eligible expenses that include but are not limited to the following:

• economy class airfare
• local transportation
• accommodation
• per diems  
• conference registration fees

1. Click the “Apply Now” button to access the online application form. Select the official language of your choice and the delegation you want to apply to then complete all questions.
2. Completed applications must be submitted online no later than June 22, 2025. 
3. Global Affairs Canada, the High Commission of Canada to Singapore, and NRC-IRAP will select Canadian companies that will participate in the delegation. Selected applicants can expect to be notified no later than July 7, 2025.
4. Companies formally selected to participate in the delegation will be invited to apply for travel funding support. 
5. Companies who apply for travel support will be notified of the funding decision no later than July 25, 2025.

Global Affairs Canada in collaboration with the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) delivers the Canadian International Innovation program (CIIP) in Singapore. CIIP supports industrial R&D partnership development activities between Canadian SMEs and companies in key markets, including Singapore.