Singapore Reinforces Position as a Global Site for Pharma & Biotech; Biomedical Manufacturing...

Singapore Reinforces Position as a Global Site for Pharma & Biotech;
Biomedical Manufacturing Output Quadruples to Reach US$17 Billion
Sophisticated Infrastructure and Skilled Manpower Support Cutting-Edge
Manufacturing Activities

SAN DIEGO, June 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Singapore has firmly established
itself as a leading manufacturing hub in Asia with its strong track record,
sophisticated infrastructure, superior IP protection and reliability. Its
biomedical sciences manufacturing output expanded four-fold from US$4.4
billion in 2000 to US$17 billion in 2007 at a compounded annual growth rate of
21%, far surpassing the industry's global growth rate.
Singapore is now host to 11 (Note 1) global pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies, who have invested more than 25 commercial-
manufacturing facilities here. These facilities are validated by regulatory
authorities from US and Europe, and produce innovative medicines for the
global market.
The Singapore manufacturing facilities of Merck, Pfizer and Schering-
Plough successfully completed validations from the Food and Drug
Administration and the European Medicines Agency with zero observations. This
is a strong testament to the operational excellence and high quality workforce
available in Singapore to support high value pharmaceutical and biologics
manufacturing activities.
Mr. Russell Watson, Managing Director, Merck Sharp & Dohme (Singapore)
Ltd,
said: "The fundamentals of stewardship and compliance in Singapore are world
class. Our facility in Singapore has successfully undergone audits from all
major regulatory bodies with many internal and external accolades for
operational excellence and innovation. These achievements would not have been
possible without our highly competent employees who are constantly working
together to improve the manufacturing processes."
Mr. Yeoh Keat Chuan, Executive Director, Biomedical Sciences Group,
Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) said: "There are now more than 45
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices manufacturing plants in
Singapore. Companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Schering-Plough have also
expanded beyond manufacturing into process development to support and
strengthen their production base. We will continue to aggressively build up
new capabilities to support the anticipated strong growth in this sector."
Mr. Gaetan Angoh, Managing Director for Schering-Plough LTD (Singapore
branch), said: "As a pioneer US pharma investor since 1995, Schering-Plough
has leveraged on Singapore's solid infrastructure, skilled workforce and pro-
business environment to expand to our current manufacturing campus. Today, we
are one of the largest employers in Singapore's biomedical sciences industry
with over 800 people."
In addition to chemical-based pharmaceuticals, Singapore has also built up
an impressive track record in biologics manufacturing. Within less than two
years, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Lonza and Novartis announced their
decisions to site a total of five major biologics manufacturing facilities
amounting to US$1.5 billion in Singapore. The Singapore EDB, in partnership
with the industry, has put in place a comprehensive range of programs to
develop manpower and technological capabilities in support of biologics
manufacturing.
Note 1: Abbott, Genentech, GSK, Lonza, MSD, SD, Novartis, Pfizer,
sanofi-aventis, Schering-Plough, Wyeth, Alcon

Reliable Skilled Manpower
Industry players in Singapore also work closely together to expand the
talent pool to support the growth of the industry. In addition to joint
campaigns to promote careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry,
the companies lead industry-wide initiatives to upgrade the existing workforce
and attract new entrants from other industries.
The Singapore Academy of GxP Excellence (SAGE) is one particularly
noteworthy initiative. Launched by the National University of Singapore (NUS)
in March 2008, the Academy works closely with industry representatives and
government agencies to deliver world-class training programs and promote best
practices. SAGE is one of the first industry-wide training initiatives in the
region and complements company specific training centers in Singapore. SAGE
also provides basic training for people who are interested to join the
industry.
Mr. Angoh said: "Our employees in Singapore are extremely motivated,
productive and driven to deliver the best standards in quality control and
assurance. Singapore also offers a pool of highly qualified graduates trained
in local tertiary institutions that emphasize science and engineering."
Sophisticated Infrastructure
Located on the western tip of Singapore, Tuas Biomedical Park (TBP), a 890
acres stretch of ready-prepared and specifically-zoned land, presents a
conducive environment for pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturing.
TBP is currently home to leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical
technology companies such as Abbott, Alcon, CIBA Vision, Genentech,
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Lonza, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer and
Wyeth. These companies have collectively invested US$4 billion to set up
manufacturing facilities in TBP. Equipped with established infrastructure such
as roads, drainage systems, power, water supply, and telecommunication lines,
TBP continues to attract leading biomedical sciences companies to set up
manufacturing facilities here. These companies can also leverage on third-
party utilities and services such as steam, natural gas, chilled water and
waste treatment.
In addition, TBP offers environmentally-friendly utility solutions that
contribute to greater energy efficiency and cost savings. Tuas Power, a
leading power company in Singapore that promotes clean technologies, has set
up Trigeneration capabilities to produce three types of utilities,
electricity,
steam and chilled water, from a single integrated system. Tuas Power is
currently developing state-of-the-art trigeneration facilities for Pfizer and
Schering-Plough respectively.
For more information, please visit the Singapore Pavilion (booth number
3935) or http://www.biomed-singapore.com .
Discover what Singapore offers the Biomedical Sciences industry at our
Breakout Session:
Date: 19 June 2008 (Thursday)
Time: 8:30 am -- 10:00 am
Venue: Room 26 AB
San Diego Convention Center

For enquiries, please contact:

Julia Zamorska
Ruder Finn
HP: +1-323-909-7722
Email: zamorskaj@ruderfinn.com

Parveen Kaur
Ruder Finn Asia
HP: +65-9327-8175
Email: kaurp@ruderfinnasia.com

SOURCE EDB Singapore and Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Julia Zamorska, Ruder Finn, +1-323-909-7722, or zamorskaj@ruderfinn.com, or
Parveen Kaur, +65-9327-8175, or kaurp@ruderfinnasia.com