Biomedical companies invested $800mln in Singapore in 2009

Global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that seek to capitalise on Asia's growth story are locating first-in-Asia manufacturing facilities and headquarters offices in Singapore.

Fixed asset investments from biomedical companies exceeded US$800 million in 2009.

"Asia's growth presents tremendous opportunities but its diversity also poses challenges. In global companies' foray into Asia, Singapore can help to enhance manufacturing and business excellence to strengthen their foothold in Asia," said Mr. Beh Kian Teik, Director, Biomedical Sciences, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), in an article in PRNewswires.

Core site of manufacturing excellence in Asia

In 2009, Baxter, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and Roche opened their first-in-Asia commercial-scale manufacturing plants in Singapore. The growing base of biologics activities also include GSK Biologicals' collaboration with the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (a research institute under Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research - A*STAR), as well as Millipore's launch of its Biomanufacturing Sciences and Training Center. In addition, Lonza commenced construction for its first-in-Asia cell therapy manufacturing plant in Singapore.

In January 2010, Genentech's microbial-based facility in Singapore was awarded the Facility of the Year Award for Project Execution 2010 by ISPE, INTERPHEX and Pharmaceutical Processing magazine for initiating commencing GMP qualification batches within 24 months from engineering kick-off. This facility was opened with another mammalian-based facility that Genentech acquired from Lonza in August 2009. Both facilities were officially opened under its parent company, Roche, in November 2009.

While Singapore has established its position as a leading site for biologics manufacturing in Asia, it continues to enhance its strong track record in chemical-based active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing. In October 2009, Singapore's Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES), A*STAR, opened a pilot-scale laboratory facility, called the Kilo Lab, where pharmaceutical companies can carry out evaluation of new recipes and processes before going to full-scale manufacturing. The facility also provides a platform to train and develop a new generation of engineers and chemists in Singapore.

Furthermore, EDB has partnered GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to build up capabilities and develop solutions in sustainable manufacturing as part of the GSK-EDB 10-year strategic roadmap.

Home-base in Asia

Leveraging Singapore's advantages as a leading global city and deep biomedical industry base, leading companies (e.g. Abbott, Bayer Schering Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co., Pfizer, Roche) have set up regional headquarters in addition to manufacturing and R&D activities to drive business expansion and innovation in Asia. More than 30 leading biomedical sciences companies that include eight of the top ten pharmaceutical companies have set up regional headquarters in Singapore.

In 2009, Takeda opened its regional headquarters and regional clinical coordination centre in Singapore, while Quintiles doubled its headquarters facility which includes a new, 13,000 square-foot central laboratory. Global companies that are partnering Singapore and its growing base of local biomedical sciences companies can also leverage the closer proximity to new markets and partners in Asia.