AstraZeneca to build $1.5-B manufacturing facility in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca intends to build a US$1.5 billion (S$2 billion) manufacturing facility in Singapore, the company said on May 20.

It aims to begin the designing and construction of the facility by the end of 2024 and targets it to be operationally ready from 2029.

The company’s new facility in Singapore will be designed for the manufacturing of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to enhance the global supply of its ADC portfolio, it said in a statement. ADCs are a form of next-generation treatment that can deliver highly potent cancer-killing agents directly to cancer cells through a targeted antibody.

The new facility will mark AstraZeneca’s first end-to-end ADC production site, fully incorporating all steps of the manufacturing process at a commercial scale, the statement said.

It noted that manufacturing ADCs is a multi-step process that includes producing the antibodies and synthesizing chemotherapy drugs and linkers, among other steps.

Ms Pam Cheng, AstraZeneca’s executive vice-president of global operations and information technology, said in an interview with The Straits Times that “many meaningful jobs” will be created at the new facility.

“In terms of the types of jobs, I think it’s fair to say they will be among the most innovative and technical, given the type of manufacturing processes for ADC,” she said.

These will include scientists and engineers, supply chain experts, digitalization and information technology experts, and people working in procurement and infrastructure.

Employment opportunities

When asked how many people would be hired, she said: “It’s dangerous to quote a number right now just because we have yet to finish the design and finalize the scope, but it’s effectively four manufacturing plants in one.”

She said the site will also be designed as a connected smart factory with autonomous manufacturing capabilities, leveraging digital and artificial intelligence.

“Even with that, we will need highly technical, capable staff to ensure that we operate all these complex manufacturing processes successfully,” she said.

The planned greenfield facility – meaning it will be built on land that has not been previously developed – is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

EDB chairman Png Cheong Boon said: “We welcome AstraZeneca’s decision to establish a manufacturing presence in Singapore for the first time. It will also be a first for AstraZeneca – an end-to-end manufacturing facility for novel antibody-drug conjugates that enables precision therapy for cancer.”

He added: “This greenfield investment is a strong show of confidence in Singapore’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and talent, strengthens our ecosystem in supporting the development and manufacturing of precision medicines, and creates meaningful jobs and economic opportunities for Singapore.”

The biomedical industry, which comprises the biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors, is a key contributor to Singapore’s economy, EDB said.

In 2022, the industry accounted for 2.3 percent of Singapore’s gross product and manufactured close to $39 billion worth of products for the global market.

Growing biopharmaceutical industry

Seven of the top 10 biopharmaceutical companies have best-in-class manufacturing facilities in Singapore, producing a wide range of drugs from active pharmaceutical ingredients to biologics and cell therapies, EDB noted.

The sector hires more than 9,000 workers and has seen employment growth of 70 percent over the past 10 years, it added.

“There will be significant manufacturing job opportunities with recent and upcoming biopharmaceutical investments, as well as ongoing company expansions,” EDB said.

AstraZeneca employs around 89,900 people and has a presence in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. The company is listed on the London, Stockholm, and Nasdaq stock exchanges.

The company’s chief executive Pascal Soriot said: “AstraZeneca has built an industry-leading portfolio of cancer medicines, including antibody-drug conjugates, which have shown enormous potential to replace traditional chemotherapy for patients across many settings.

“Singapore is one of the world’s most attractive countries for investment, given its reputation for excellence in complex manufacturing, and I am excited for AstraZeneca to locate our US$1.5 billion ADC manufacturing facility in the country.”

Sustainability in healthcare

Ms Cheng said Singapore has one of the most established ecosystems around medicine development, commercialization, and manufacturing, with good infrastructure and a reputation for having a friendly operating environment.

“Given the complexity of what we’re trying to do here with ADC manufacturing, Singapore is quite the optimum location for us to set up shop,” she said.

AstraZeneca will also work with the Singapore government and partners on green solutions for the new facility, as part of its commitment to driving sustainability in healthcare.

The facility will be designed to emit zero carbon from its first day of operations, said Ms Cheng, who is also the firm’s chief sustainability officer.

She sees future potential for the company in Singapore, where it has had a presence since 1988.

“With this new investment, we’re going to strengthen our presence in Singapore in a major way. In terms of the future, I definitely see potential future opportunities, given our robust pipeline in different therapeutic areas,” she said.

No details were provided on where the new site will be located. AstraZeneca currently has an office on Kallang Avenue.