ASHENEWS reports that renowned global biopharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca has announced plans to invest 1.5 billion dollars in building a manufacturing facility in Singapore for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
According to the company, ADCs are next-generation treatments that deliver highly potent cancer-killing agents directly to cancer cells through a targeted antibody.
The company, in a press release posted on its website on Monday, said that it intends to begin design and construction of the manufacturing facility by the end of 2024, with targeted operational readiness from 2029.
“The planned greenfield facility, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), will be AstraZeneca’s first end-to-end ADC production site, fully incorporating all steps of the manufacturing process at a commercial scale.
“Manufacturing of ADCs is a multi-step process that comprises antibody production, synthesis of chemotherapy drug and linker, conjugation of drug-linker to the antibody, and filling of the completed ADC substance,” the statement said.
The statement quoted the chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Png Cheong Boon as saying “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.
“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 Chief Executive Officer, of AstraZeneca, 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 $1.5 billion ADC manufacturing facility in the country.”
AstraZeneca has a broad portfolio of in-house ADCs including six wholly owned ADCs in the clinic and many more in preclinical development.
The statement added that AstraZeneca will work with Singapore’s government and other partners on green solutions for the ADC facility, in line with its commitment to driving sustainability in healthcare.
“This facility will be designed to emit zero carbon from its first day of operations,” the statement added.
