A leading provider of innovative sample as well as assay technologies and products, QIAGEN recently added Singapore to its global Service Solutions Network by setting up a new Service Solutions Center. The move illustrates that, in addition to products, the Dutch company is equally committed to delivering top-quality service solutions to its customers.

Complementing existing Centers in Europe, North America and Japan, the new Service Solutions Center in Singapore caters to the Asia-Pacific region. It will further improve the company's responsiveness to the information and service requirements of customers in research, applied testing, pharma and molecular diagnostics. This complete global network will enable customers to access the company's services faster, more conveniently and efficiently.

"This facility will not only empower us to better serve our customers here in Asia, but what makes this a truly important milestone in the history of our company is that this facility will allow us in the near future to extend our services to each and every customer around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," says Peer M. Schatz, CEO, QIAGEN.

Booming new market

Asia factors strongly in the company's plans - and for good reason too. In view of the fast expanding population in the region, experts are predicting that the global healthcare market will also change. Healthcare spending in Asia may eventually surpass that of the US and Europe, with a big jump in demand for quality yet affordable healthcare among the middle-class, ageing population.

"China, for instance, will not only be one of the world's largest economies over the next few years, but also one of, if not, the largest market for pharmaceuticals and diagnostics," says Schatz. Providing the essential tools to process and analyse biological samples found in biomedical sciences research and healthcare diagnostics laboratories, QIAGEN stands in good stead to tap into this growing market.

Partners in progress

The company began its strategic expansion into the region in 2005. Today, with growth rates of 50 per cent, Asia ranks as QIAGEN's fastest growing market. Taking significant market share, Singapore is expected to play a pivotal role in further expanding the company's reach.

Over the last two years, the company has been steadily raising its profile here. In 2006, it acquired local biotechnology company, Research Biolabs, and set up its Southeast Asia sales and marketing headquarters. Last year, QIAGEN entered into a joint venture with Bio*One Capital to set up DX Assay, which will develop diagnostics tests for infectious and genetic diseases in Singapore.

It was also awarded an exclusive contract by Singapore's Ministry of Health to supply sample preparation solutions and molecular test kits for the specific detection of Influenza H5N1 viruses - better known as avian flu. The new Service Solutions Center is another big step forward for the company.

According to Schatz, Singapore's ideal location, excellent infrastructure, highly qualified and well-motivated workforce make the country an ideal business partner. "We are impressed with the quality and pace of science here," he says. "The Singapore Economic Development Board has helped to promote business friendly policies, where international life science and diagnostic companies can thrive."

The Center will operate in five different languages - Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, English and Malay - making the Lion City's multilingual and multicultural workforce another plus point. All in all, it is a partnership that looks set to thrive. As Schatz says, "We approach the future with confidence and excitement, especially for our operations in Asia and particularly here in Singapore."