Singapore to get SGD 2 billion AstraZeneca facility for next-generation cancer drugs

Global pharmaceutical big AstraZeneca has introduced its plan to construct a USD 1.5 billion (SGD 2 billion) end-to-end manufacturing facility in Singapore for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), enhancing world provide of its ADC portfolio.

ADCs are next-generation remedies that ship extremely potent cancer-killing brokers instantly to cancer cells by means of a focused antibody.

In a media launch yesterday about its Singapore plans, AstraZeneca mentioned: “The deliberate greenfield facility, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), shall be AstraZeneca’s first end-to-end ADC manufacturing website, absolutely incorporating all steps of the manufacturing course of at a industrial scale.”

It added: “Manufacturing of ADCs is a multi-step course of that includes antibody manufacturing, synthesis of chemotherapy drug and linker, conjugation of drug-linker to the antibody, and filling of the finished ADC substance.”

EDB Chairman Png Cheong Boon mentioned, “We welcome AstraZeneca’s resolution to set up a producing presence in Singapore for the primary time. It may also be a primary for AstraZeneca — an end-to-end manufacturing facility for novel antibody drug conjugates that allows precision remedy for cancer.”

Boon added, “This greenfield funding is a powerful present of confidence in Singapore’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and expertise, strengthens our ecosystem in supporting the event and manufacturing of precision medicines, and creates significant jobs and financial alternatives for Singapore. We look ahead to a profitable partnership with AstraZeneca.”

Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, mentioned, “AstraZeneca has constructed an industry-leading portfolio of cancer medicines, together with antibody drug conjugates, which have proven monumental potential to exchange conventional chemotherapy for sufferers throughout many settings.”

About the explanation for selecting Singapore, the pharma CEO mentioned, “Singapore is among the world’s most engaging nations for funding, given its popularity for excellence in complicated manufacturing, and I’m excited for AstraZeneca to find our USD 1.5 billion ADC manufacturing facility within the nation.”

AstraZeneca has a broad portfolio of in-house ADCs, together with six wholly owned ADCs, within the clinic and plenty of extra in preclinical improvement.

According to the media launch, the corporate will work with the Singapore Government and different companions on inexperienced options for the ADC facility. This facility shall be designed to emit zero carbon from its first day of operations.

AstraZeneca goals to start design and development of the manufacturing facility by the top of 2024, with focused operational readiness from 2029.