Novartis announced today that it will be spending more then $500 M on a new facility in Singapore for the manufacture of biologicals and small molecule pharmaceuticals. The facility will be in Tuas and is planned to come on line in 2016.
The new plant is being built, according to Novartis CEO Joseph Jiminez, to support company plans to grow in biologicals -- which are presently 25% of its pipeline but expected to enrich further in coming years. Singapore was chosen as it already has infrastructure supporting other biological plants, has an educated and skilled workforce, and is also closer in proximity (than US or Europe) to bigger Asian markets.
Manufacturing of biologics and biosimilars is one of the most promising areas in drug development. Companies worldwide are positioning themselves to take advantage of this trend. Novartis is just the latest to announce a big new investment in facilties to support this. See Fierce Biotech.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Oct 31st 2012.
Comments