Tay’s career has taken her from pharmaceuticals at GSK and Lonza, to medical technology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, and back to pharmaceuticals with Amgen, and now AbbVie.
“Many skills – project management, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), leading cross-functional teams – were highly transferable throughout my transitions,” she says.
Goh experienced a similar shift when she moved from pharmaceutical R&D into medical technology after completing an MBA.
The commercial demands were new; the regulatory and organisational foundations were not.
“Both pharmaceuticals and medical technology operate in highly regulated environments, so my understanding of access, reimbursements, compliance and quality frameworks carried over well,” she says.
“Having worked in multinational organisations, I was already used to working cross-functionally, communicating across cultures, and navigating complexity.”
Beyond STEM: the full scope of the sector
A persistent misconception continues to shape how prospective talent assesses the industry: that biomedical careers are confined to science and engineering roles. The reality is considerably broader.
Aside from manufacturing and R&D functions, industry giants like GSK and ResMed have also anchored their regional headquarters in Singapore. In fact, employment in the biomedical sciences sector has nearly tripled from two decades ago to more than 26,000 today.
“It’s a common misconception that only those with science and engineering degrees can join the sector,” says Tay.
“In reality, biomedical sciences companies offer a wide range of roles – from quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and project management to HR, marketing, and supply chain.”
Goh agrees: the commercial and digital functions that multinationals locate in Singapore create demand for professionals with business, analytics, and communications skills as much as laboratory expertise.
The next phase of growth
The sector’s next growth curve is already forming. Advances in biologics, cell and gene therapies, digital health, and precision medicine are expected to drive both investment and headcount in the years ahead, creating new roles that combine clinical expertise with data and computing skills.
For Tay, adaptability will define who thrives.
“Cultivating adaptability is key – being able to adjust quickly to different environments, cultures, and business dynamics,” she says, adding that strategic thinking and emotional intelligence are equally important for those moving into regional or global leadership.
Goh points to digitalisation as the most immediate structural shift.
“We will see more personalised, data-driven approaches supported by digital platforms and AI,” she says – a development that will further broaden the sector’s talent requirements beyond traditional STEM pipelines.
Leadership diversity is also improving.
“It’s encouraging to see the biopharma industry evolve to become more inclusive, with a growing number of strong female voices and leaders, including several female site heads across major companies,” says Tay. “This inspires the next generation to pursue leadership roles in the field.”
At its foundation, however, the sector’s appeal remains constant. “What keeps me passionate really goes back to why I chose healthcare from day one – to make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives,” says Goh.
