Charles River Led Panel Examines How APAC Can Strengthen Global Competitiveness In Biomanufacturing
March 10, 2026 | Tuesday | News | By Ankit Kankar | ankit.kankar@mmactiv.com
At the APAC Biomanufacturing Leadership Summit 2026 presented by Charles River, industry, research and investment leaders discussed how innovation, agile manufacturing strategies, and integrated ecosystems can position Asia Pacific as a key driver of the next phase of global biopharmaceutical production.
As global demand for biologics, advanced therapies, and complex biopharmaceuticals continues to expand, the conversation around competitiveness in biomanufacturing is rapidly shifting. At the APAC Biomanufacturing Leadership Summit 2026 presented by Charles River, industry leaders gathered for a focused panel discussion exploring how Asia Pacific can strengthen its role in the global biomanufacturing ecosystem.
Moderated by Sam Chuang, PhD, Executive Director of Scientific Advisory Services at Charles River, the discussion brought together investors, technology innovators, and manufacturing leaders to examine the strategic, scientific, and operational factors that will define the next phase of global biomanufacturing.
Richard Yang, Managing Partner at Sinovation Ventures, highlighted the growing importance of venture capital and technology investment in shaping the region’s biomanufacturing landscape. He noted that the convergence of biotechnology and artificial intelligence is accelerating innovation across the value chain, from drug discovery to manufacturing optimisation. According to Yang, investors are increasingly looking at platforms that can deliver scalable biologics production while reducing development timelines and operational risk.
Karolis Rosickas, CEO of Cambium Bio, emphasised the need for agile development and manufacturing models that allow companies to move quickly from research to clinical and commercial production. As biologics pipelines expand globally, companies must build manufacturing strategies that combine flexibility with robust quality systems, enabling them to support diverse therapeutic modalities including cell and gene therapies.
From the perspective of national research infrastructure, Dr Koh Boon Tong, Executive Director and Chief Industry Officer at BTI under A*STAR, outlined how public research institutions play a critical role in strengthening the region’s biomanufacturing capabilities. Singapore’s strategy, he explained, focuses on integrating advanced research, translational science, and industrial partnerships to accelerate technology transfer and scale up innovative biologics manufacturing processes.
Gary Khoo, PhD, Vice President of CMC at Hummingbird Bioscience, pointed to the growing complexity of modern biologics development. He stressed that successful global competitiveness requires strong chemistry, manufacturing, and controls frameworks combined with advanced analytics and digital manufacturing approaches. These capabilities are increasingly essential for maintaining regulatory compliance while ensuring reliable production of complex therapeutic molecules.
Simon Chuang, CEO and Co founder of HoneyBear Biosciences, added that emerging biotech companies in Asia are becoming more globally oriented from the outset. Instead of focusing solely on regional markets, many startups are designing their development and manufacturing strategies to meet global regulatory standards, enabling them to partner with international pharmaceutical companies and expand into major healthcare markets.
Throughout the discussion, a central theme emerged. Competitiveness in biomanufacturing is no longer defined purely by manufacturing capacity. Instead, it is shaped by a combination of advanced technology adoption, integrated research ecosystems, regulatory readiness, and the ability to collaborate across borders.
The panel also underscored the strategic role of Asia Pacific as an increasingly important node in the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing network. With strong government support, growing venture investment, and expanding technical talent, the region is positioning itself not only as a production hub but also as a centre for innovation and advanced biologics development.
As the session concluded, panelists agreed that the future of biomanufacturing will be defined by collaboration across academia, industry, and investment communities. By aligning these capabilities, Asia Pacific has the opportunity to strengthen its role in shaping the next generation of global biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
About The Event
This session was part of the APAC Biomanufacturing Leadership Summit 2026 presented by Charles River, a leadership forum bringing together biopharmaceutical manufacturers, CDMOs, biotechnology innovators, investors, and regulatory experts from across the Asia Pacific region.
The summit focuses on advancing discussions around next generation biomanufacturing, regulatory readiness, advanced analytics, and global collaboration required to support the rapidly evolving biologics and advanced therapy landscape.
Through keynote presentations, expert panels, and technical sessions, the event highlights strategies that strengthen Asia Pacific’s role as a critical node in the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem.
For more information visit https://events.criver.com/event/APAC2026/summary.
