Singapore, Sept. 4 -- Singapore has spent decades building the foundations of a global biomedical hub. The more difficult task now is not to simply fund more science or attract more multinational investments, but to make the connections between research, healthcare, enterprise and talent work faster - ensuring that the value created spreads beyond laboratories and corporate campuses.

That challenge is becoming central to international competitiveness. Cities and countries are increasingly judged not only by the quality of their universities or hospitals, but by whether those institutions attract expertise, produce intellectual property, create companies and build skilled workforces.

At the recent 56th Annual World Trade Centers Associat...