AI Poised To Revolutionise Medtech In Asia-Pacific With Regional Focus

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the Asia-Pacific medtech industry by advancing products and solutions tailored to local market demands, according to a joint report by APACMed, Bain & Company, and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

While AI is already embedded in healthcare products and processes, advancements like generative AI are reshaping customer expectations. In Asia-Pacific, near-term AI adoption has primarily targeted regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial functions. Medtech organisations are increasingly utilising AI across product development, regulatory filings, and sales, driving automation, personalisation, and productivity improvements.

“The true AI opportunity lies in R&D processes, such as region-specific data collection and developing unbiased models tailored to Asia-Pacific’s diverse populations and unique healthcare needs,” said Vikram Kapur, global head of Bain & Company’s Healthcare & Life Sciences practice.

As AI applications evolve from commercial use to R&D, there is a growing demand for skilled talent proficient in machine learning (ML), data science, and cloud infrastructure. The report emphasises the need for “bilingual talent” with expertise in both AI and medical domains to address the region's talent shortages. Harjit Gill, CEO of APACMed, noted, “Collaboration across the ecosystem is key to building a robust AI talent pipeline for MedTech.”

The report highlights Singapore’s potential to become a regional AI hub for medtech, supported by its robust ecosystem, advanced healthcare data infrastructure, and strategic connections with global markets. “Singapore’s established medtech ecosystem, coupled with its AI expertise, positions it as a key partner for companies looking to leverage AI opportunities in healthcare,” said John Eng, Vice President of Healthcare at EDB.

Singapore’s over 400 medtech and healthtech start-ups, alongside significant government investments in AI and medtech R&D, provide a strong foundation for innovation. Initiatives like the National Precision Medicine program ensure access to high-quality healthcare data, further supporting the development of AI-powered tools for regional use.

The report underscores that to capitalise on AI's potential, the Asia-Pacific medtech industry must prioritise talent development, collaborative exploration, and proactive dialogue to establish itself as a global leader in AI capability.