AstraZeneca plans to build a US$1.5 billion manufacturing facility in Singapore to produce a promising category of cancer-killing drugs called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), the Anglo-Swedish drug maker said on Monday.
The facility will be supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board. The company did not provide details on the possible financial incentives from the Singapore government.
The plant will be AstraZeneca’s first drug-conjugate facility to produce the medicines from start to finish, the statement added.
Antibody-drug conjugates have become an important part of Astra’s cancer push, showing the promise to eventually replace conventional chemotherapy for some patients. They work by ferrying the active ingredient directly to the cancer cells, aiming to spare healthy ones.
The plant represents a “strong show of confidence in Singapore’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and talent,” said Png Cheong Boon, who chairs the Singapore Economic Development Board.
Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot is working to ensure Astra can independently supply drugs to major markets as the US pushes to reduce the industry’s reliance on China. Shortages during the pandemic also underscored the need for local production.
London-listed AstraZeneca has been expanding into markets like China, Indonesia and India over the past few years in an effort to widen its supply chain. Its breast cancer therapy Enhertu is made by its partner Daiichi Sankyo in Japan.
Soriot said Singapore was a top global venue for investment with a reputation for excellence in complex manufacturing.
ADCs are engineered antibodies that bind to tumour cells and then release cell-killing chemicals.
The multi-stage production of ADCs involves generating the antibody, synthesising the chemotherapy drug and its linker, conjugating these elements, and filling of the completed ADC substance.
AstraZeneca has a wide portfolio of in-house ADCs, which includes six wholly owned ADCs in clinic and more in preclinical development.
Png welcomed AstraZeneca’s plans, saying it supported Singapore’s development and manufacturing of precision medicines, and helped create jobs and economic opportunities.
Building of the facility will begin by the end of 2024, and it should be operational from 2029, the company said, adding it will have zero carbon emissions from its first day of operations.