Another boost for Singapore, with $140M investment from biotech Genentech

Singapore's efforts to grow its biologics manufacturing sector received a significant boost when USA-headquartered Genentech, which is majority-owned by Swiss drug major Roche and is one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, announced plans to establish a commercial-scale microbial-based biologics manufacturing facility - a first for the nation's fast-growing biopharmaceuticals sector. This is the first production investment by a US biotechnology company in Singapore, noted the Economic Development Board.

The estimated capital expenditure of the plant is around $140.0 million. It will have approximately 100 employees at steady state and provide 1,000 liters of capacity for the production of Escherichia coli-derived products. This facility, which will be located in Tuas Biomedical Park, is intended for the manufacture of bulk Lucentis (ranibizumab injection), a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2007 with licensure anticipated in early 2010.

The planned Genentech plant is Singapore's fourth biologics manufacturing facility. Others presently under construction there include UK pharmaceutical major GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' vaccines facility, as well as Switzerland-based biologics contract manufacturer Lonza's two facilities, including its joint venture with Bio*One Capital (Marketletters passim).