GenScript's manufacturing facility boosts S'pore's role in fight against pandemic

SINGAPORE - Global biotechnology company GenScript Biotech launched a 30,000 sq ft manufacturing facility at Solaris@Kallang on Thursday (Feb 10), boosting Singapore's role in the global fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The plant, which cost US$15 million (S$20.1 million) to set up, will make recombinant proteins and synthesise genes, which are used in the research and development of new vaccines, drugs and therapeutics.

Speaking to reporters after the virtual opening ceremony, Mr Johnson Wang, GenScript's president of Asia-Pacific, said about 50 staff are employed at the facility. It is expected to create around another 100 roles, most of which will be filled by people recruited locally.

These positions include laboratory technicians, scientists and logistics personnel.

Dr Ray Chen, president of GenScript's life science group, noted that this is the company's first such facility outside of China and the United States.

"Shipping across borders takes time... we are trying to support local scientists and labs. This (facility) will eventually shorten the turnaround time for shipping and logistics by at least three days," he said.

He added that as cross-border deliveries have become more uncertain recently, having the facility here will make logistics more reliable in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dr Chen said when new Covid-19 variants emerge, scientists need to get their genes and proteins so they can design better therapeutics, antibodies and vaccines.

"If we could deliver that to Duke-NUS quicker from the Singapore facility... that will help them tremendously," he added.

GenScript previously worked with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s diagnostics development hub (DxD Hub) to co-develop a kit that detects whether someone has antibodies that neutralise the coronavirus.

The kit is invented by Professor Wang Linfa from Duke-NUS Medical School's emerging infectious diseases programme.  

Some of the genes and proteins from GenScript’s new facility will be sent to his lab, to allow scientists there to further develop their research on neutralising antibodies against the Omicron variant.

Dr Li Yanfeng, site director of GenScript Asia-Pacific's production operation department, said: "With the facility in Singapore, we can quickly... provide the proteins of the Omicron variant to actually help us identify whether the neutralising antibodies induced by vaccination will be able to protect us against Omicron."

"The presence of this protein and gene synthesis capacity in Singapore provide us that gateway to quickly respond to not only Covid-19, but any emerging future infections," she added.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Alvin Tan, who was at the opening ceremony, said GenScript's decision to set up here shows Singapore's strong capabilities in the biomedical sciences sector.

The "continued drive and ambition to attract best in class investments" can create new opportunities for Singapore and also good jobs for Singaporeans, he said.

He added: "Firms are attracted by Singapore's deep talent pool, strong IP (intellectual property) protection, robust manufacturing capabilities, our thriving research base, and our innovation ecosystem. In turn, their presence further strengthens and drives the growth of our biomedical sciences ecosystem."

Last year, German biotechnology company BioNTech announced plans to set up a regional headquarters and manufacturing facility here. Pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur also said last year that it is investing €400 million (S$614 million) over five years to build a vaccine production centre in Singapore.

On Thursday, GenScript and DxD Hub signed a memorandum of understanding to explore collaborations to - among other things - build manufacturing capabilities in Singapore and develop talent in the medtech sector.

Dr Chen said Singapore, which also houses GenScript's Asia-Pacific headquarters, is a strategic location to expand its manufacturing capability.

"With the strong support from the Economic Development Board (EDB), our new facility aims to be the centre of a solid regional network to catalyse more collaboration, ultimately spurring more innovation and breakthrough life science," he added.

Ms Goh Wan Yee, senior vice-president and head of healthcare at EDB, said: "GenScript's decision to set up its new production site and business hub in Singapore is testament to our robust manufacturing infrastructure, R&D (research and development) and innovation ecosystem, strong base of biotech talent, as well as our excellent connectivity to the Asia-Pacific region.

"We look forward to working closely with GenScript to further expand its regional footprint, nurture local talent and drive better healthcare outcomes."