GSK Announces Opening of Singapore Manufacturing Facilities

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced on July 5, 2019 the opening of its new manufacturing facilities in Singapore after a $130-million investment.The facilities are comprised of two manufacturing facilities and an extension of one of the site’s production buildings that will enable the site to accelerate the supply of new medicines to patients globally, according to a press statement.

One of the new facilities will be a part of Jurong’s R & D Pilot Plant and will specifically strengthen the site's capability in drug manufacture by allowing faster production of APIs for clinical trials. According to the press statement, the first new chemical entity to be developed at the new facility will be Daprodustat, a new oral treatment for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. The new facility is expected to reduce the production time of the drug and give faster access to patients.

Additionally,the extended production building will strengthen GSK's capability to produce Dolutegravir, a GSK asset for HIV treatment. The company will now be able to test and develop digital technologies in the manufacturing process to drive productivity improvement, the press statement said.

"Advanced manufacturing systems are pivotal for GSK to stay at the forefront of the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.Further investment in digital manufacturing operations and processes will allow GSK to ensure efficient and high-quality production of our medicines," said Lim Hock Heng,vice president and site director of the pharmaceuticals supply chain in Singapore for GSK, in the press statement.

The new facilities show GSK’s commitment to utilize Singapore as a manufacturing and supply site for its pharmaceutical business and advanced manufacturing technology.

"As one of the most innovative cities in the world, Singapore is home to an ecosystem of companies and organizations that are creating and exporting innovative solutions,” said Regis Simard, president of the pharmaceuticals supply chain for GSK in the statement. “Innovation is at the heart of GSK, we are glad to invest in scientific and technical excellence in Singapore to develop and launch the next generation of products which meet the needs of patients, payers, and consumers.

Source: Media Outreach