New AstraZeneca facility in Tuas South to create over 800 jobs, ready by 2029
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The new facility will be AstraZeneca’s first end-to-end antibody drug conjugates production site globally.
PHOTO: ASTRAZENECA
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SINGAPORE – Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is set to create over 800 skilled jobs here to staff a new manufacturing facility
The jobs range from those in engineering and technical services to roles involving global supply chain functions, and the new site is targeted to be operationally ready by 2029.
The new facility will manufacture antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) which are used in treatments to deliver highly potent cancer-killing agents directly to cancer cells through targeted antibodies.
It will be AstraZeneca’s first end-to-end ADC production site globally, fully incorporating all steps of the manufacturing process at a commercial scale, the company said in a statement on Nov 7.
It had previously announced its intention to build the US$1.5 billion (S$2 billion) facility in May, but did not indicate the location of the site and the estimated number of jobs created.
At a groundbreaking ceremony for the 23.5ha site on Nov 7, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said the new site attests to AstraZeneca’s confidence in Singapore as a competitive location for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Mr Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, added: “This facility will provide a shot in the arm for Singapore’s biopharmaceutical industry with world-leading ADC technological capabilities, and build up our competitive advantage in ADC manufacturing.
“It will also benefit our broader manufacturing ecosystem, and enable Singaporeans to acquire new skills that are needed for the emerging demand.”
He also said Singapore will continue efforts to make it a more compelling location for biopharmaceutical manufacturing by investing in innovation and new technologies to raise productivity, growing the talent pool, and enable sustainable manufacturing.
Ms Jacqueline Poh, managing director of the Economic Development Board (EDB), said the greenfield investment will add significant capabilities to Singapore’s growing biopharmaceutical sector, especially in the development and manufacturing of precision medicines for better healthcare outcomes.
Greenfield developments are those built on land that has not been previously developed.
“Beyond creating meaningful jobs for Singaporeans, AstraZeneca’s facility is aligned with Singapore’s push towards sustainable manufacturing and national target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050,” Ms Poh added.
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong (fourth from left) at the groundbreaking ceremony of AstraZeneca’s new manufacturing facility on Nov 7.
PHOTO: ASTRAZENECA
Sir Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca’s chief executive, also attended the ceremony. He said choosing to build the facility in Singapore “was an easy decision”.
“We have been bringing our innovative medicines to this great city for nearly four decades, working hand in hand with your doctors and healthcare practitioners to address some of Singapore’s most pressing health challenges.”
He thanked the EDB and the Government for their longstanding partnership: “Singapore also has a well-deserved reputation in complex manufacturing, backed by a strong pool of talent which makes it one of the most attractive investment locations in the world.”
According to EDB, the biomedical sciences industry is a key contributor to Singapore’s economy.
In 2022, the industry accounted for 2.3 per cent of Singapore’s gross domestic product and manufactured products cumulatively worth nearly $39 billion for the global market.
